Gas-Powered Lawn Mower Recall Impacts 235K Mowers That May Fail to Turn Off

Nearly a quarter million gas-powered lawn mowers have been recalled, after the manufacturer received dozens of reports that suggest the engines may not shut off when the control bar is released, which poses a serious risk for users and bystanders. 

A Husqvarna walk-behind gas powered lawn mower recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on October 18, impacting mowers sold under the brand names Craftsman, Poulan Pro, Jonsered, Craftsman, Yardworks, Murray, Brute and Husqvarna.

The action was taken after at least 53 consumer reports indicating the engine and deck blades did not turn off after releasing the operator presence control bar safety feature. To date, no injuries have been reported.

The recalled lawn mowers are equipped with an operator presence control bar that must be pressed down against the handlebar to engage the engine and mower deck blades. This safety feature is designed to disengage the mower and blades if the operator loses control of the handle to prevent laceration injuries.

The recall includes certain lawn mowers equipped with Briggs& Stratton 7.25 horsepower engines, which are marked with serial numbers ranging between 110115M00001 and 082516M50000. Serial numbers and model numbers can be located on the rear of the mower deck next to the wheel. For a full list of the recalled model numbers please visit the CPSC recall notice.

The push mowers are designed with either four similar wheels or two larger rear wheels and two smaller front wheels, an extended handle with an operator presence control bar, mowing deck, and with or without a collection bag. They were sold in various colors, including red, orange, yellow and black, or blue and have the Briggs & Stratton logo printed on the engine shield.

According to the CPSC, an estimated 208,000 recalled lawn mowers were sold throughout the United States and an additional 27,000 were distributed for sale in Canada.

The recalled lawn mowers were manufactured in the United States under Husqvarna Consumer Outdoor Products N.A. Inc. of Charlotte, North Carolina. They were sold at Lowe’s, Sears and various other hardware stores, home centers and equipment dealers nationwide from November 2015 through August 2016 for between $250 and $450.

Customers are being asked to stop using the recalled mowers immediately and contact Husqvarna at 877-257-6921 or email them at recalls@husqvarna.com for information on how to determine if the mower is in need of a free repair. Customers may also visit the manufacturers recall for further information at http://husqvarna.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1255/.