The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·02126·Announced 2002-03-21

Exmark Recalls Commercial Riding Mowers Due to Fire Risk

Exmark is recalling about 21,000 commercial riding mowers because the exhaust system can ignite fuel vapors if the engine backfires.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves significant injury reports, including one serious burn injury and two minor burns, as well as property damage, which meets the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Exmark Manufacturing is recalling approximately 21,000 Exmark-brand Commercial-grade Riding Mowers, specifically the Lazer Z HP series. These red mowers are equipped with 17 to 23 horsepower engines and have mowing decks ranging from 44 to 52 inches. The mowers feature independently controlled rear-drive wheels, front casters, and a centrally mounted mowing deck. The brand and series names appear on the front of the unit.

The recall is necessary because the riding mower's exhaust system can ignite fuel vapors from spilled fuel if the engine backfires. Exmark has received 15 reports of fires caused by this issue. At least one serious burn injury was reported, and two other users reported minor burns. Property damage has varied from minor damage to the machine itself to several thousand dollars in damage to other mowing equipment stored nearby.

These mowers were sold by Exmark dealers nationwide between January 1998 and December 2001 for between $6,000 and $7,300. Some of these riding mowers were previously recalled in February 2001. Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled mowers and contact Exmark or their local Exmark dealer to determine if their model and serial numbers are included in the recall. The model and serial numbers are located on a decal on the right side of the controls console. If needed, the dealer will schedule a repair of the riding mower's exhaust system.

The recalled product

Product
Exmark-brand Commercial-grade Riding Mower
Manufacturer
Exmark Manufacturing, of Beatrice, Neb.
Category
Consumer Product — Lawn Mowers
Hazard
Affected units
21,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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