Recall: Lawnmowers Recalled by Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2003 Release # 04-009

Company Phone Number: (800) 426-7701 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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-stop™ 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 States.

Remedy: 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