The Recall Desk
ModerateCPSC·11744·Announced 2011-06-23

American Honda Recalls Portable Generators With Japanese Battery Labels

American Honda is recalling about 2,500 portable generators because the battery hazard labels are printed in Japanese instead of English, potentially preventing consumers from understanding safety risks.

What this means for you

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall addresses a labeling error where safety information is in a foreign language, which is a minor labeling issue with no reported injuries, fitting the Moderate severity criteria for low-risk contamination or labeling errors.

Plain-English summary

American Honda Motor Co. of Torrance, Calif., is recalling approximately 2,500 portable generators sold nationwide from January 2011 to March 2011. The affected units are model numbers EM4000SX, EM5000SXK3, and EM6500SXK2. The recall is necessary because the hazard labels attached to the batteries used on these generators are printed in Japanese rather than English. This labeling error may prevent consumers from adequately avoiding risks associated with handling the batteries.

The generators were sold at Honda power equipment dealers nationwide for between $2,250 and $2,890. Consumers can identify the affected units by checking the model number on the side of the generator and the serial number on the generator frame. The specific recalled serial number ranges are: EM4000SX (EBRC-1000015 to 1000518), EM5000SXK3 (EBMC-1000005 to 1001184), and EM6500SXK2 (EBJC-1000017 to 1000857).

No injuries have been reported in connection with this recall. American Honda is contacting consumers to provide the correct English labels. Consumers can install the label themselves or contact a Honda dealer to have it installed for free. For more information, consumers can contact American Honda toll-free at (888) 888-3139 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/recalls.

The recalled product

Product
Portable Generator Battery
Affected units
2,500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Same manufacturer · American Honda Motor Co. of Torrance, Calif.

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