WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Gas powered STIHL trimmers, brushcutters, KombiMotors, hedge trimmers, edgers, clearing saws, pole pruners, and backpack blowers that utilize a toolless fuel cap
Units: About 2.3 million
Manufacturer: STIHL Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va.
Hazard: The level of ethanol and other fuel additives can distort the toolless fuel cap, allowing fuel to spill, posing a fire and burn hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: STIHL has received 81 reports of difficulty installing and/or removing the fuel caps and fuel spillage. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The following yard power tools and model numbers are included in this recall:
Product Name & Description
Model Number | Serial Numbers Affected
Blower, backpack
BR 500 | Up to 284053456
BR 550 | Up to 284053456
BR 600 | Up to 284053456
BR 600 | Magnum Up to 284053456
Hedge Trimmer, extended reach
HL 90K | Up to 284101483
HL 100 | Up to 284101483
HL 100 | K Up to 284101483
Pole Pruner
HT 56 C-E | Up to 284398635
HT 100 | Up to 284097165
HT 101 | Up to 284097165
HT 130 | Up to 284097165
HT 131 | Up to 284097165
Edger
FC 56 C-E | Up to 284180999
FC 70 C-E | Up to 284180999
FC 90 | Up to 284012099
FC 95 | Up to 284012099
FC 100 | Up to 284012099
FC 110 | Up to 284012099
Trimmer/Brushcutter
FS 40 C-E | Up to 284180999
FS 56 C-E | Up to 284180999
FS 56 RC-E | Up to 284180999
FS 70 RC-E | Up to 284180999
FS 90 | Up to 284012099
FS 90 R | Up to 284012099
FS 100 RX | Up to 284012099
FS 110 | Up to 284012099
FS 110 R | Up to 284012099
FS 110 RX | Up to 284012099
FS 130 | Up to 284012099
FS 130 R | Up to 284012099
Clearing Saw
FS 310 | Up to 284012099
KombiEngine
KM 56 RC-E | Up to 284180999
KM 90 R | Up to 284012099
KM 110 R | Up to 284012099
KM 130 R | Up to 284012099
Visit STIHL's website, www.stihlusa.com for additional photos of the power tools involved and photos of the toolless fuel cap.
Sold at: Authorized STIHL dealers nationwide from July 2002 through May 2011 for between $190 and $650.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these products and return them to an authorized STIHL dealer for a free repair. Consumers can contact STIHL for instructions on identifying these toolless fuel caps.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact STIHL toll-free at (800) 233-4729 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.stihlusa.com or e-mail to stihlrecall@stihl.us
To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11226.html