Walk-behind 21" lawnmowers
CPSC Recall #14-710 — January 15, 2014
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 14-710 |
| Recall Date | January 15, 2014 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 20,800 Honda brand in U.S. and 48 Columbia brand lawnmowers in U.S. and 3,000 in Canada |
| Manufactured In | USA |
Where It Was Sold
| Honda brand lawnmowers were sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide from January 2013 through December 2013 for between $580 and $780. Columbia brand lawnmowers were sold at Beaver Valley Supply |
| Denver |
| Colo; Lawn Equipment Parts Co |
| Inc. |
| Marietta |
| Penn. and at Smiths South-Central Sales Co. |
| Spring Hill |
| La. from January 2013 through December 2013 for $500. |
Product
Walk-behind 21" lawnmowers
Description
This recall involves two Honda models and one Columbia brand electric start lawnmowers with Honda engines and 21" cutting blades. The Honda lawnmowers are red and silver (HRR) and red and gray (HRX). Both have "Honda" on the engine cover. The model and serial numbers are located on the certification label that is affixed to the cutter housing deck behind the engine. Honda recalled lawnmowers are: Honda Models Serial Number Range HRR2169VLA MZCG-8764914 ~ MZCG-8824353 HRX2174VLA MAGA-2255148 ~ MAGA-2260227 The Columbia brand lawnmower, model number 12ALD33Q897, comes in orange and black. "Honda" is printed on the engine cover. The Honda engine serial number is located on a label on the back of the engine. It is also stamped into the engine block adjacent to the oil filler cap/dipstick. A range of affected Honda engines installed in Columbia brand lawnmowers sold in the U.S. follows: Columbia Model Honda Engine Serial Number Range 1A313KC0835 GJARA 3641724 through GJARA 3642215
Hazard
The engine stop switch can malfunction allowing the blade to continue to rotate after the handlebar blade control lever is released, which poses a laceration hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Honda has received 11 reports of the lawnmower's blade continuing to rotate after the handlebar control lever was released. No injuries were reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawnmowers. Honda model owners should contact a Honda Power Equipment dealer to schedule a free repair. Columbia model owners should contact a Honda Engine dealer to schedule a free repair. American Honda is contacting all registered customers directly.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.