For Immediate Release CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
October 15, 2003 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Release # 04-009

CPSC, Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing Inc. Announce Recall of
Lawnmowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
announces
the following recalls in voluntary cooperation with the firms listed
below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless
otherwise instructed. To access color photos of recalled products, go
to
the Commission's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Name of product: Honda Harmony Walk-Behind Lawnmowers

Units: 30,000

Manufacturer: Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing Inc., of
Swepsonville,
N.C.

Hazard: If the lawnmower strikes an object with sufficient force, the
crankshaft can bend. Vibration created by a bent crankshaft can
eventually result in a fatigue failure of the Roto-stopTM blade brake
control assembly. This can allow the cutting blade to continue rotating
after the blade control lever is released, posing a risk of injury to
consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: American Honda has received six reports of broken
stop plates. No injuries or property damage have been reported

Description: These are Honda Harmony 21-inch, walk-behind mowers with
model numbers HRB216TXA or HRB216HXA. The model numbers are located on
a
metal plate behind the engine, just in front of the rear discharge
opening. These black and red mowers have "Honda Harmony" printed in
white on the front.

Sold at: Power Equipment dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide from
November 2000 through June 2003 for between $700 and $760.

Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Honda Lawn and Garden dealers
will repair these mowers by
replacing the Roto-stopTM mechanism.

Consumer Contact: To locate a servicing Honda Lawn and Garden dealer,
consumers should call American Honda at (800) 426-7701 between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or go to the Web site at
www.hondapowerequipment.com.



To see pictures or to link to this press release, use the following
link:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04009.html