For Immediate Release
September 19, 2002
Release # 02-254
CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1219
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
Black & Decker's Recall Hotline: (866) 229-5570
CPSC, Black & Decker Announce Recall of Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., is
voluntarily recalling to repair about 140,000 cordless electric lawn
mowers. An electrical component in the lawn mower can overheat, posing a
possible fire hazard.
Black & Decker has received 11 reports of electrical components
overheating. One of these resulted in a minor hand burn and nine
resulted in reports of minor property damage extending beyond the mower.
The mowers were sold under both the Black & Decker and Craftsman
brand names. The recalled Black & Decker cordless electric lawn mowers
have the model number CMM1000 or CMM1000R and date codes from 9534
through 200230, both of which are located on the silver and black label
affixed to the rear door of the mower. The lawn mowers have either an
orange or green deck cover with a black motor cover. The lawn mowers
have the words "Black & Decker" and "Cordless" on top of the motor
cover.
The Craftsman-brand mowers, which were sold at Sears, have model
number 900.370520 and include all date codes. The model number is
located on the silver and black label affixed to the rear door of the
mower. The Sears lawn mowers have a dark green deck with a black motor
cover. The lawn mowers have the words "Craftsman" and "24 Volt Cordless"
on top of the motor cover.
Home centers, hardware and discount stores nationwide sold the
Black & Decker lawn mowers from February 1996 through August 2002 for
between $360 and $400. Craftsman-brand mowers were sold at Sears stores
nationwide from January 1998 through December 2000 for between $360 and
$400.
Consumers with either brand recalled lawn mower should stop using
it immediately. Black & Decker mower owners should call Black & Decker
toll-free at (866) 229-5570 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday
through Friday, or log onto the company's web site at
www.blackanddecker.com to receive information on the free repair.
Craftsman mower owners should take their mower to the nearest Sears
store or Sears product repair center for a free repair.
Black & Decker recalled 1,300 cordless electric mowers with model
number CMM1000R on January 23, 2002. For more information about that
recall, contact Black & Decker at the toll-free number listed above.