Nearly 400,000 Honda Lawn Mowers and Pressure Washer Engines Recalled Due to Injury Risk
The starter rope on the engines could suddenly retract, posing an injury hazard
American Honda Motor today expanded a recall of the gas engines used to power multiple models of lawn mowers and pressure washers, including Honda HRN216 series lawn mowers, Honda HRX217K6 lawn mowers, and Honda GCV170/200 G5B pressure washers. In all, about 392,000 devices have been recalled, including about 200 added today.
Improperly manufactured camshafts in the engines could cause the starter rope to suddenly retract when pulling it, posing an injury hazard, according to a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall bulletin.
A safety recall notice (PDF) provided by Honda elaborated, saying that for units equipped with an electric starter, this manufacturing defect may prevent the starter motor on mowers with an electric start from successfully starting the engine.
Honda, based in Torrance, Calif., has received 2,197 reports of incidents related to camshaft failures, including seven reports of minor injuries at the time of the original recall in September 2023. Since that initial recall, the company has received 2,966 additional reports of incidents, and there are now 38 reports of minor injuries since the recall began.
Details of the Pressure Washer Engine Recall
The recalled pressure washer engines are mounted on various original equipment manufacturer frames and the devices were sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other retail stores nationwide from June 2022 to August 2023 for $370 to $550, according to the initial recall.
The serial number is engraved on a flat spot on the engine.
At the time of the initial recall, Honda had not specified the pressure washer brands with the affected engine but said consumers could find the serial numbers of the recalled engine on the Honda recall page. Consumer Reports obtained a safety recall notice listing the affected serial numbers (PDF) from Honda. If you’re not sure your model is involved in the recall or you’re having trouble using the tool on Honda’s website, you can check with Honda directly for verification using the information below.
Immediately stop using a pressure washer equipped with the recalled engine and contact an authorized Honda Power Equipment dealer to schedule an appointment for a free inspection and repair. For more information, call American Honda Motor at 888-888-3139 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or go to the Honda recall page.
Details of the Honda Lawn Mower and Pressure Washer Engine Recall
The recall: It involves Honda HRN216 and HRX217K6 lawn mowers and the GCV170/200 G5B pressure washer engine. The gas-fueled walk-behind lawn mowers are red and black with “Honda” on the clipping collection bag. The model and serial number are printed on a label on the upper rear of the mower deck. The pressure washer engine is mounted on various original equipment manufacturer frames. The serial number of the engine is engraved on a flat spot on the engine.
The risk: Improperly manufactured camshafts in the engine can cause the starter rope to suddenly retract when pulling it to start, posing an injury hazard.
Incidents/injuries: Honda received 2,197 reports of incidents related to camshaft failures, including seven reports of minor injuries at the time of the original recall. That has grown to include an additional 2,966 reports of incidents and a total of 38 reports of minor injuries since the recall was first announced.
Where and when sold: The lawn mowers were sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Northern Tool, and various farm, agricultural, and rental stores nationwide from May 2022 to June 2023 for $550 to $1,100. The pressure washers were sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other retail stores nationwide from June 2022 to August 2023 for $370 to $550.
The remedy: Immediately stop using the recalled lawn mowers and pressure washers equipped with the recalled engine and contact an authorized Honda Power Equipment dealer to schedule an appointment for a free inspection and repair.
Contact information: Call American Honda Motor at 888-888-3139 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the Honda recall page.
To report a defective product, call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 or go to SaferProducts.gov.
