The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·06232·Announced 2006-08-16

Black & Decker and Craftsman Cordless Lawnmowers Recalled for Fire Hazard

Black & Decker is expanding a recall of cordless electric lawnmowers due to an electrical component that can overheat and cause fires.

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 a fire hazard with reported property damage and a minor hand burn, meeting the criteria for 'Severe' (significant injury/property-damage reports).

Plain-English summary

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. is expanding its recall of approximately 160,000 Black & Decker and Craftsman brand cordless electric lawnmowers. The recall includes models sold nationwide from February 1996 through December 2005. The affected Black & Decker mowers are models CMM1000 or CMM1000R, labeled as Type 1 through Type 4, and feature an orange or green deck with a black motor cover. The affected Craftsman mowers are model number 900.370520 and feature a dark green deck with a black motor cover. Mowers labeled as Type 5 are not included in this recall.

The recall is being issued because an electrical component in the lawnmowers can overheat, posing a fire hazard. Black & Decker has received 10 additional reports of electrical components overheating, including one report of a fire extending beyond the mower. The original recall involved 11 reports of overheating, one of which resulted in a minor hand burn and nine resulted in minor property damage extending beyond the mower.

Consumers should stop using the lawnmowers immediately and contact Black & Decker toll-free at (866) 229-5570 or visit www.blackanddecker.com for information on receiving a free inspection and repair if necessary. Consumers with Craftsman brand lawnmowers should call (800) 659-7026. Consumers who had their mowers repaired as a result of the previous recall should have their mowers inspected and repaired again as part of this recall.

The recalled product

Product
Black & Decker and Craftsman Brand Cordless Electric Lawnmowers
Manufacturer
Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md.
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools & Outdoor Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
160,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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