The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·96050·Announced 1995-12-20

CPSC and Tanaka Recall Ariens and Tanaka Backpack Leaf Blowers

CPSC and Tanaka are recalling approximately 11,000 Ariens and Tanaka backpack leaf blowers because the fuel tank could leak, presenting a possible fire hazard.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard due to fuel leaks, which is a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the criteria for a High severity score.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Tanaka America of Kent, Washington, are recalling approximately 11,000 Tanaka and Ariens leaf blowers. The blower's fuel tank could leak, presenting a possible fire hazard. The affected units are mounted on a black metal backpack frame with padded shoulder straps, an orange fuel tank, and black blower tubes. The specific models involved are Tanaka TBL-455 and TBL-500, and Ariens BB-430.

These leaf blowers were sold nationwide from January 1986 to December 1992 for between $400 and $460 each. Tanaka has not received any reports of consumers who were injured in incidents involving the fuel leaks. The company is conducting this recall to prevent the possibility of injury.

Consumers who own these specific models should stop using them immediately and return them to any Authorized Tanaka Servicing dealer. The backpack blowers will be fitted with a redesigned fuel tank at no charge. For more information, consumers should call Tanaka at 253-333-1200, ext 217.

The recalled product

Product
Ariens leaf blowers
Manufacturer
Tanaka
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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