The Recall Desk
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

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. 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
Affected units
160,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.