Echo Recalls 500VL Gasoline Chain Saws Due to Flywheel Hazard
Echo is voluntarily recalling 8,500 model 500VL gasoline chain saws because flywheels may shatter during maintenance, causing injuries.
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 structural defect (flywheel) that has resulted in reported injuries including fractures and amputation, meeting the criteria for 'significant injury reports' under the Severe classification.
Plain-English summary
Echo Incorporated is voluntarily recalling approximately 8,500 model 500VL gasoline powered chain saws manufactured between 1979 and 1980. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The affected saws have a flywheel that requires a special tool for removal during routine maintenance, but some consumers have removed the flywheel without the tool. If the flywheel becomes distorted during this process, it may be subject to stress and vibration, causing pieces to fly apart and strike the operator.
Three accidents have been reported to Echo resulting in lacerations, fractures, and amputation to the fingers of the operator's left hand. Consumers should discontinue using the Echo 500VL chain saw immediately. Owners of Model 500VL chain saws with serial numbers inclusive to 0023000 should contact their Echo Dealer to arrange for a free replacement with a new model 510 EVL chain saw, which features a solid-state electronic magneto that is not removed during routine maintenance.
The recalled product
- Product
- Echo gasoline powered chain saws
- Manufacturer
- Echo
- Category
- Consumer Product — Power Tools
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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