Toro Snow Commander and CCR Single Stage Snowthrowers

CPSC Recall #06-224 — August 2, 2006

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-224
Recall DateAugust 2, 2006
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 84,000
ManufacturerThe Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Toro dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide from September 2000 through March 2006.

Product

Toro Snow Commander and CCR Single Stage Snowthrowers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 84,000 Toro Snow Commander and CCR Single Stage Snowthrowers. The plastic fuel tank can crack and leak gasoline, posing a risk of fire and injury.Name of Product: Toro Snow Commander and CCR Single Stage Snowthrowers(NOTE: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall announced in March 2003.)Units: About 84,000Manufacturer: The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.Hazard: The plastic fuel tank can crack and leak gasoline, posing a risk of fire and injury.Incidents/Injuries: Toro has received 882 additional reports of fuel tanks leaking. No fires or injuries have been reported.Description: This recall now involves 2001 and 2002 Toro Snow Commander and CCR model snowthrowers listed below. The model and serial numbers are located on the rear of the axle plate between the wheels.SNOW COMMANDER UNITS:ModelSerial RangeSnowthrowerYearRetail Price38600220000001 to 22000407224-inch Single Stage2002$86038602220000001 to 22000593124-inch Electric Start2002$960CCR UNITS:ModelSerial RangeSnowthrowerYearRetail Price38413210010001 to 21002099020-inch Single Stage2001$59038419210010001 to 21001472520-inch Electric Start2001$69038440210010001 to 21001565620-inch Single Stage2001$66038445210012082 to 21002196420-inch Electric Start2001$76038515220000001 to 22001374320-inch Single Stage2002$59038516220000001 to 22000893020-inch Electric Start2002$69038517220000001 to 22001091020-inch Single Stage2002$66038518220000210 to 22001593220-inch Electric Start2002$760Sold: Toro dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide from September 2000 through March 2006.  Manufactured In: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should contact their local Toro Authorized Service Dealer to find out if their snowthrower is included in the recall. If necessary, the dealer will schedule a time and install a free replacement fuel tank.Consumer Contact: For more information contact Toro at (800) 689-8671 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Consumers also can visit the firm's Web site at www.toro.com - the Toro Company has notified registered owners directly.

Hazard

The plastic fuel tank can crack and leak gasoline, posing a risk of fire and injury.

Incidents & Injuries

Toro has received 882 additional reports of fuel tanks leaking. No fires or injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should contact their local Toro Authorized Service Dealer to find out if their snowthrower is included in the recall. If necessary, the dealer will schedule a time and install a free replacement fuel tank.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.