I also bought a toro power clear 621E in January 2014 at Home Depot….last week first substantial snowfall, gassed it up, put fresh oil in and started it right up….used it while it was still snowing and it was breezy so I couldn’t smell the gas till I got back into the garage…it was coming out from the carburetor …checked online and toro had a recall in 2009 for the same problem…just hung up with them and no recall on this model….now what….

I picked up a Toro Max Heavy Duty 928 snow blower ($1,499) from Home Depot Salem NH ten days ago. Last night, we had a foot of snow, so I prepped the machine, I filled up the tank and cleared the snow from the driveway… then brought the unit back inside the garage. About an hour later we could not breath! the house was filled with gas smell, I thought I had left the gas container open. I went downstairs, opened the garage doors and left them open for about an hour. This afternoon I realized that the tank was empty! filled it up again and tried to run the engine… and there it was the gas was dripping continuously on the ground… As soon s I turn the fuel valve on, the gas starts dripping! Walked back inside the garage, and found a big stain of gas on the floor! Ways to go Toro!

I have a 621R with the same problem. It won’t start and empties the gas tank just sitting the garage for a day. What is the solution to this problem?

2014 bought 621 toro. Me too. Never again. They should be ashamed of themselves. Hiding just like the car companies nowdays. Too WILL not answer these posts. They tell you to fix it yourself if you do get through on the phone. Really. GREAT business practices. Toro absolute joke of the century. Wont start after one year. Used it TWICE.

The machine is really low quality for the price I paid . I have a 14 year old model with the suzuki engine , and that one starts up one or two pulls . What a bad machine .

My dad who is elderly, has had nothing but problems with the Toro 421Q since he bought it. Used once then problems starting, recall done and never been able to use this piece of crap machine. He paid over $800 for a product that was supposed to make his life easier and has been a heartache. if he had hired a service he would have spent less money! The business he purchased it from said they couldn’t find anything wrong. They will be picking it up again and unfortunately they are giving attitude saying we’ve had no other complaints. Lousy customer service, lousy product. If there is any group action taken against Toro….I will be completely on-board!

Purchased Power Clear 180 in Dec 09 from Home Depot. Worked great for 1st season. Hasn’t worked since then. Has anyone been able to get a refund from Toro? I have no interest in repairs it seems from all the posts the problem is not fixable.

I bought my power clear 180 in Nov 2009(2010 model). Was advised of the recall and had it done in Jan 2010. I run the fuel out of it every season. Year 2011 was mild with so little snow I never used the blower. Year 2012 again mild but did use the blower a few times. Year 2013 early Dec. Heavy snow forcaster. Got snow blower and filled with gasoline. When the tank was about half full gasoline was streaming out of the hole in the primer bulb. As gasoline level in tank got lower the leak stopped. I am sure it will leak again when filling. Contacted toro and told them that I believe the recall repair failed. Toro told me to take it in for repair at MY expense. BYE BYE TORO, never again buy any toro products. YEAH, they the problem is ethenol related…WELL IF SO TORO then why is it none of my other outdoor power equipment leaks? That is Murray riding mower, john deer lawn mower, mtd edger, sears blower and several others. The toro gas leaks are not ended by the recall repair. This is a blatant on going hazard perpetrated by toro. Not just with my model but others too as noted in these comments here, user reviews on amazon and other forums. The toro dealer who said toro has good products and is trying to put the blame on chinese engine maker is HOGWASH! Toro keeps on selling them though. I am telling everyone and in forums to STAY AWAY FORM TOROS HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS. Its criminal of them to still sell these faulty products And their supposed recall repairs are flawed and do not fix the problem. Its nice to know that TORO don’t give a rats behind if their products cause you an early cremation.

Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus. What an utter piece of junk. We bought our Toro 621 R a year ago from Home Depot. The first unit leaked out the entire gas tank onto the garage floor in less than a week. My wife took it back to Home Depot and got a new unit, after a lot of argument. We used the second unit a few times last year and then when she filled it with new gas and tried it this year it refused to start. I thought she was crazy when I checked and the gas tank was empty. But after filling the tank again and having it refuse to start, leaving it for a day and finding gas on the floor again I checked the web and found this and several other sites. I hope they saved a lot on the using Chinese crap engines because like lots of other folks, this will be the last time that I will ever even look at a Toro machine. Guess they think that selling me a $550 junker once is better than selling me mowers, blowers and etc. many times. Quite a business plan. Honda for me every time from now on.

My 421Q is the same. Ran best before 1st recall…. After 1st service it started leaking and didnt want to start, 2nd replaced carb and now it doesnt start or if it does doesnt stay running. First big snow this year and I am out with the shovel. Bought 2 years ago after big snow, early 2011. It has actually worked during a snow maybe 3 times but only ran before with choke on. Not sure what warranty is but calling dealer and toro today. Do these have a lemon law like cars?

I brought my snow thrower in oct 2010 and used it once . During the months i noticed strong gas smell in shed but never > paid any attention to it Â-However on close inspect this week noticed > fuel leaking form carburetor — now this snow-thrower doesn’t work at all and trying my best to get a refund from either home depot or Toro My first > question is why would Home Depot continue to sell products that had > Recalls issued. Home Depot should be held accountable for selling recall products

I’m having the same problem with mine. Already been in the shop twice last year. Now we’ve just had a blizzard and it won’t stay on unless the choke is all the way open, and then it will only remove a tiny bit of snow at a time. I will NEVER buy another Toro snowblower again.

I bought the Toro 421QE in Oct 2009. Since then, I did not use It much as we have NOT had any heavy snow until now. We have more than 10 inches of snow on the ground but the machine won’t start. I have to take out the shovel to clear the snow manually and it took me three hours to do it. Actually, the Toro 421QE has “fuel leaks” and “won’t start” problems since day 1. I took it back to the dealership twice (Oct 2010 and Mar 2011) when fuel leaked. The carburetor and fuel line was replaced in March 2011. There is no more fuel leaks as I turned off the fuel valve which was installed in March 2011. Since then I did not have a chance to use it until now. and it won’t start. I am very unhappy with Toro selling me this defective product. I do not know what to do now. After spending over $1000 for the defective machine without really the benefit of clearing snow , I am hesitant to spend another $$$ to have it fixed (?).

I bought mine at the end of 2009. I’ve had problems from the start. After 2 uses I had to bring it in because it smelled like burning rubber. There was a belt that had been put on wrong by the manufacturer and Toro tried to weasle out of it by saying it was somehow my fault. Ace Hardware went to bat for me which I appreciate more than I can express and refused to charge me for a problem that was clearly on the manufacturer. The next issue was the recall. I brought it in and had done whatever needed to be done. Next problem was that it barely throws snow unless its super light and fluffy. I guess I expected a little more power for $400. Now it just won’t start at all. I’m so disappointed that Toro has gone this route with their products. I used to think it was a name I could trust. I doubt I’ll give the brand anymore opportunities to prove themselves, this experience told me everything I need to know about them.

I purchased the power clear 180 on 1/31/11 from home depot. Had it in the shop twice (12/16/11 and 1/17/12 a/c gas leak)and the carb. was replaced free of charge. now have the same problem on 1/14/13. Mine also is serial # 311… problem has not been fixed!

In February of 2010,I purchased the Toro Power Clear 180 snow blower.In September of 2010.it wouldn’t start,and I brought it to a local Toro dealer for repairs. They put in a rebuilt carburetor which cost me $162.87. In January of 2012 I had to bring it back because it was leaking fuel! THAT cost another $160.00 ! In October of 2012,I went to fuel it up to make sure it worked before winter started,and it was leaking fuel AGAIN! I looked online to see if this was a common problem with this model,and I find out it had been recalled in July of 2010…for a FUEL LEAK!…..five months after I had purchased it! No one at the Toro dealership EVER said anything about a recall! So basically I was robbed of $300.00+ for something that should have been repaired for free! (And STILL isn’t fixed!) After getting NOWHERE with the dealer,I brought it to Home Depot.They sent it out for the repairs covered under the recall.THAT was in October! I got it back the second week in DECEMBER,then went to fuel it up before a forecast snow storm,and it was leaking WORSE than ever! I called Home Depot to complain,and after having been put on hold and transferred three times,all I got was excuses and told no one would be there to help me until AFTER the new year! (But of course there are always plenty of “employees” wandering aimlessly in their orange smocks at the front of the store while nearly EVERY register is now self-serve!) Both Toro AND Home Depot are now on my permanent”Do not shop” list!

The Toro snow blowers used twice … the fuel lines were replaced and I still continue to have problems. I have not used it since. I took it to the home hardware dealer where I bought it and he replaces the spark plugs and oil and charges me another $40. This is the biggest scam by Toro and their dealers. They sell snow blower lemons with in adequate quality control and expect us to keep paying. I would NEVER RECOMMEN D ANY TORO product based on my experience. My friends use snow blower that are for half the price and get better mileage out of the

I have the same thing as Charlie: I bought a Toro Power Clear 180 snowthrower in 2010. This year I found gasline dripping out to my garage floor. I saw the safety recall for serial number in 310, but mine is 311. Apparently they have not fixed the problem. I just got a bill for $100 to fix the thing that has less than 2 hours on the engine

I just found out about the recall on the Toro Power Clear 180 also. This is leaking like all the units sold at Home Depot. Called the local repair shop and they are dancing around the recall issues with the fuel leak. How do I get this repaired or replaced by Toro with a unit that won’t leak?

Purchased this Toro Power Clear 180 2 seasons ago, right before the “snowmaggedon” of February 6, 2010 here in Western PA. Worked well until carburetor started leaking. Took it to Toro dealership who repaired it. Then received a recall notice from Toro telling me about the recall. Returned it to dealership who informed me that “since it was no longer leaking there is no reason to repair it.” Brought it back home and within 3 weeks it was leaking again. Took it back to dealership who replaced carburetor (or whatever they did). Within 1 week it was leaking again. Returned it to dealership who could not reproduce the problem. Brought it back home and it did not give me any more problems until recently when I smelled gas and noticed that it was leaking again. 4 times it has been at the dealership and now it has to go in a 5th time!! At what point does Toro “throw in the towel” so-to-speak and just replace the entire unit? Never, will I purchase another Toro product!!

I bought a Toro Power Clear 180 snowthrower in 2010. This year I found gasline dripping out to my garage floor. I saw the safety recall for serial number in 310, but mine is 311. Apparently they have not fixed the problem.

Yup, 180 sucks…brand new 12/2010, used 3 x, next winter went to start it and it dies after a minute. Read about bad carbs and re-calls, Toro repairman said some got one some didn’t!!!!?? go figure..Toro said mine wasn’t recalled…had to have a new carb and we get stuck w/$75 labor bill…..BS…we need a class action suit asap…..

Same thing! Purchased Toro Power Clear 180 in Nov 2010. worked fine in 2010 now leaks and won’t start. I have lost receipt and TORO will not authorize repair at dealer. Any suggestions? Thanaks

I have the same potential hazardous leaky carburetor problem. It was repaired in July of 2010 and now, January 2012, leaks again. I suggest everyone on this thread post an complaint with SaferProducts.gov; maybe we can get another recall.

So pissed right now. Ace has had my snow blower for a week and a half now, and they tell me that toro is back ordered on the carburetors for my fix. I have 7 inches of snow coming tomorrow and I’m back to a shovel.

My father passed away in june and left behind this beautiful 421 qe.I try starting it up and it will not run.I prime the heck out of it and it runs for 30 seconds.I go to the garage after 8 hours and the electric start will not turn the motor over.I pull the hand start and the machine is like froze up.After a few pulls it loosens up.I then use the electric start prime it and pull the choke out and it runs great for 2-3 minutes.I try to restart will not run.Prime it like crazy put in garage overnite come out in the morning and there is a pool of fuel on the ground.Does my scenario match with anyone else who has the 421 qe.

I purchased my snowthrower in Oct, 2010 and only used it a few times last winter. When I gassed in up this Nov and parked it in my garage in anticipation of snow, it started to leak. I took it in to an authorized Toro dealer, he kept it for 3 weeks and said that there was NOT A LEAK?? I had to pay him since there was no authorized warranty work done, got it home and it still leaks. Toro said to take it to a different “master mechanic” in our area. Is it worth it? Can I use it w/o fear of fire?

HELLO,PEOPLE AND TORO: GOING TO MAKE YOU ALL FEEL GOOD . i OWN THREE OF THEM !!!!!!!!! HELP !!!!. TORO DOES MAKE A GOOD BLOWER, HOWEVER THEY SCREWED THE POOCH ON THIS ONE. TORO NEEDS TO REFUND ALL OF THESE. BEFORE A LIFE OR SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS.,,,,, HOW BOUT IT TORO !!!!! WE ARE YOUR BREAD AND BUTTER AND THES ARE HARD TIMES. THANK YOU.

I have a Power Clear 180 and I still have the leaking gas problem. I received the recall and brought it to the dealer for repair. When I got it back, it leaked gas immediately. Took it back and they replaced the carburetor. Checked a few weeks ago, and it is leaking gas again. Not sure why Toro is not doing more to correct this problem. In my opinion, this is a major safety problem.

Wisconsin. 421QE yep bought in Oct 2009 . New $800 machine 2010 model. My first snow blower did the break in period took it to the dealer for the record and oil change etc. Worked for that winter. Stored per manufacturer. Nov 2010 filled with fresh fuel started up ran it for a while OK good to go. later the garage was full of a full tank of gas. Took it to the dealer..oh nothing wrong worked ok till Jan..then gas smell again.. not much on the floor tank was low cleaned floor and filled and ran it..now April 22 2011 I get a recall..parts not available till July.. Toro will be getting my Hazardous waste clean up bill..time back and forth to the dealer. lifting charges.. time gas charges etc..my bill is really running up.

I bought a Toro 38282 from Home Depot in December 2010… everything was fine until this past saturday when i started smelling gasoline in our garage. I thought at first it was our cars, but after removing them overnight and the smell was even worse I knew they were okay. Come to find a puddle of gas under my Brand New Toro. So i called Home Depot, they directed me to Toro, who directed me to a local shop for repairs. I am in agrement that this will be the last toro product i buy!

I have a 38584E (221QE). The carburetor was rebuilt January 26, 2011 and leaked again this morning. I have talked to people who have older models and use Ethanol; they do not have problems. It seems to be with the new machines.

Received the Toro421QE for Xmas worked great in the NYC blizzard and a couple times after in 12 inches+ until yesterday went to warm it up for ten minutes while i shoveled the stairs went to get the toro it was turned off and there was gasoline all over the floor…Merry X-Mas to me!

Our repair shop called, and our snow thrower is ready for pick up. It has already snowed at least a million inches since our Toro snow thrower broke down… NO MORE TORO’S for us!!! My back is so sore from shoveling by hand!

Purchased my Toro PowerClear 180 Christmas of 2009. Used it 3 times last year and stored per mfg. recommdations. Got it out for first time since I stored it, to get ready for the Big Snow Storm of 2011 added fuel…would’t start….Called my dealer he told me of recall and said if I could get it in that day (February 1, ) he would get right on it. Took it in and 15 minutes later…had a new carb and running great. Had a good workout with it yesterday 12-15 inches of snow). Hope that takes care of the problem. I know Toro is a good company and Tecumseh made one of the best cold weather engines, but since Tecumseh folded no one has stepped up and made a reliable engine. Gotta hurt Toro.

biggest snow of the century and my Toro won’t start – I believe I used it once last Winter & bought it last season also. shouldn’t be.

I got my 421QE back from the dealer today. It started up nice, let it snow. China will be nothing but trouble in the future

(1-28-2011) Just heard from my repair shop. Toro is sending us a complete carburetor now, but they said don’t hold your breath. The carburetor kits that were supposed to be built and shipped to everyone, are now delayed again because they were not made correctly…really?? Last Toro product I buy. Toro used to be a good company..What happened? We have about 4 inches of new snow on the ground…better go get my handy dandy $6.00 hand shovel and start at it…Wow, Thanks Toro 🙁

purchased toro power clear 221qe nov,12,2009 and it has been in the shop 4 times. it sounds like a carburaqtor problem. no power__ rough running engine. DOES THE LEMON LAW APPLY/// THIS IS MY LAST TORO PRODUCT..

my toro is back at the repair shop for its second carburetor recall.So far my areas had 24 inches of snow.Repair shop told me it looks like it will be end of january at best.This will be the last toro product i will ever buy.

I emailed the Toro Headquarters the other day about my new snow thrower’s Carburetor failure. They emailed me back and said that they are stocking the Carburetor kits, and we will soon have parts to repair our snow thrower. If you have your snow throwers in a repair shop, call the shop and see if any parts have come in yet. Hopefully before the next big snow, we will have our snow throwers back…. praying so anyway.

My 421QE had the same problem, it worked the first season, then the gasoline jelled up in the carborator and would not start. I took it to the dealer, should be repaired with in the week ? One comment the dealer sugested that I should use regular fuel not super as it containes higher ethenal levels. China will be nothing but trouble in the future,

I have a Power clear Toro Snow thrower, never had any trouble with it yet, had it two years, I only use Premium Gasoline in it, in Canada Premium Gasoline does not contain any Ethanol! That could be what caused this problem, Ethanol causes many problems, its highly corrosive and eats Gas lines, and in cold climates it uses 30 percent more fuel.

I bought the TORO 421 QE in Nov 2009 and only used it once last winter. The gas was removed as per MFR storage instructions over the summer. After I test started the machine in Nov.2010 for about 15 min and put it away in the garage until it snowed, we smelled gasoline in the house about 5 hours later. There was a pool of gasoline under the machine in the garage. The machine was brought to a TORO repair centre and they put in a new carburetor kit. They filled the tank with high grade gasoline without ethanol. The machine was stored in the garage until the first snowfall in December 2010. After using the machine to clear the snow it was stored in the garage. Again after 5 hours there was that distinctive gasoline smell in the house and a pool of gasoline under the machine in the garage. The machine is presently in the shop awaiting a complete carburetor and not the kit. The repairman said that it would take several weeks for the new carburetor to come in. The reason I bought the TORO brand was because it was the only one with a 2 year warranty – a lot of good that’s doing me. People on this site are complaining about made in China products but I blame the competitive corporations for going there in order to make larger profits for their shareholders and themselves not the Chinese. They should have tighter quality control program(which costs money and takes away profit) if they are going to go to China. Notice that the TORO stock price has continued to rise over the past year in spite of this defective product!!! If they are making money from a defective product then we should have no qualms about demanding to get our money(their profits) back.

Used my 421QE a few times last season. Difficult to start this season but finally got it running. However, the second time I tried to start it, it would not crank at all. Removed oil check plug and gasoline gushed out. Took it to the dealer and still waiting for parts after three weeks. Toro has not recalled this model, just the one sold by Home Depot. I am surprised that it hasn’t been recalled due to all the gasoline leakage problems with this machine. Very disappointed in both the product and Toro..neither one has performed.

Same story here in Wisconsin. Purchased my powerclear 421QR in Jan 2010 used once now in the shop since Nov awaiting a carb from China. I checked yesterday and the updated delivery date for the part is Jan 31st (I will believe it when I see it) Had a rant at Torro with not much luck – they extend the warranty by 1 year and offered up to $50 in snow removal refund but to be honest I want my money back for this 2nd rate product. I won’t be buying Torro again.

In addition to my last comment.. we purchased our 421QR In February of 2010. It was purchased at Andersons. I wouldn’t call that a discount store. We paid around $700.00. I certainly would not call that a discounted snowthrower. Not sure if I will purchase another Toro brand again. I am just really discouraged that we only used it for 2 hours and then it had this failure. We had to take our snowthrower to a repair shop, and they are still waiting for parts.. it’s been 2 weeks already….

We have a snow thrower that is less than a year old. This recall has been noted.. Where are the parts? We have 5-6 inches of snow coming, and toro knew about this recall…Shouldn’t there be parts by now????

When is America going to learn buy American and stop trusting China. They make crap for parts and their generators are total trash, BUT we continue to have parts and products manufacturered in China because of being cheaper. To American companies who use China I am very disappointed. I would rather buy a part made in America for a little more and know it is quality. Maybe Toro should think about that.

I bought a Toro 421QE and used it about four times last year. Stored it with an empty tank, put new 91+ octane gas in the gas tank and started it to prepare for a snow storm and gas was running out all over and ddrained the tank onto my garage floor. The first one was delivered and would not start at the first sign of snow. The dealer is excellent but I am not impressed with the snowthrower. I have a troybult two stage 17 years old and always runs and has never been in a shop.