The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·97070·Announced 1997-02-18

Stihl Recalls Over 256,000 Chain Saws Due to Fire Hazard

Stihl is recalling over 256,000 model 029 and 039 chain saws because the gas cap can loosen and leak fuel, creating a fire hazard.

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 nine reported burn injuries, which meets the rubric criteria for 'Severe' (significant injury reports).

Plain-English summary

Stihl Inc. is voluntarily recalling over 256,000 Stihl model 029 and 039 chain saws in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall involves saws with a serial number of 235153631 and below. The gas cap on some of these saws can loosen and leak fuel during use, which presents a fire hazard. Stihl has received nine reports of burn injury resulting from fires involving these chain saws.

The affected model number is located on top of the saws' engine, and the serial number is located in the saws' housing, above the bumper spikes, directly under the front hand guard. Stihl servicing dealers sold the saws nationwide since March 1993 for about $350 to $450.

Consumers should immediately stop using the saws and return them to an authorized Stihl dealer for a free replacement of the gas cap. Because some of these saws were previously recalled in 1994 to repair an ignition ground wire, Stihl dealers will also check and, if necessary, repair the ground wire free of charge. For more information, consumers can contact their authorized Stihl dealer or call Stihl Inc. at (800) GO-STIHL (467-8445).

The recalled product

Product
Stihl chain saws
Manufacturer
Stihl
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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