John Deere 3032E / 3038E 2009 transaxle differential recall — tractor pulls left under braking

## Affected machines John Deere **3032E** and **3038E** compact utility tractors built in **July-August 2009** with specific serial numbers listed below. Total affected: about 90 units. The model number is painted on the side of the tractor. The serial number plate is on the tractor frame above the front wheel to the right of the operator. ### Affected serial numbers — 3032E ``` LV3032E111981 - LV3032E111988 LV3032E111990 - LV3032E111993 LV3032E111996 LV3032E111999 - LV3032E112001 LV3032E112003 - LV3032E112019 LV3032E112022 - LV3032E112024 LV3032E112029 LV3032E112031 - LV3032E112032 LV3032E112046 - LV3032E112047 LV3032E112049 LV3032E112052 LV3032E140285 ``` ### Affected serial numbers — 3038E ``` LV3038E111798 LV3038E111804 - LV3038E111805 LV3038E111808 LV3038E111810 LV3038E111815 LV3038E111817 - LV3038E111818 LV3038E111820 - LV3038E111823 LV3038E111825 - LV3038E111827 LV3038E111829 - LV3038E111832 LV3038E111835 - LV3038E111840 LV3038E111842 LV3038E111844 - LV3038E111850 LV3038E111853 - LV3038E111854 LV3038E111856 LV3038E111871 - LV3038E111872 LV3038E111875 - LV3038E111876 LV3038E111879 - LV3038E111881 LV3038E111883 - LV3038E111884 LV3038E111888 - LV3038E111889 LV3038E140226 LV3038E140234 ``` If your tractor's serial number is not in these ranges, this recall does not apply to you. ## Issue An incorrectly sized differential was installed in the tractor transaxle during a small production window in mid-2009. The wrong-size differential affects how the differential lock engages and disengages, with the practical consequence that **the tractor pulls strongly to the left when the brakes are applied**. This is a collision and operator-injury hazard. Loss of directional control under braking on a loaded compact tractor — especially with a front loader, on a slope, or near obstacles — can result in collisions with structures, vehicles, or bystanders. Per CPSC at the time of recall: no injuries had been reported. The recall was preventive. ## What to do 1. Check your tractor's serial number against the lists above. 2. If your tractor is in scope, **stop using it immediately** and contact your authorized John Deere dealer to schedule the free repair. 3. Registered owners were directly contacted by Deere & Company at the time of recall. If you bought your tractor used, you may not have received a notice — checking the serial number is the only reliable way to know. 4. The Deere & Company recall hotline at the time was (800) 537-8233. ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, recall 09-772, "Compact Tractors Recalled by John Deere Due to Injury Hazard," September 29, 2009. - Sold at John Deere dealers nationwide from July 2009 through August 2009 for between $13,000 and $15,000. ## Library note This bulletin attaches only to the **Tier 3 generation** rows of the 3032E and 3038E (year_start=2008, year_end=2013), which are the rows that cover the 2009 production window. The Tier 4+ generation rows (year_start=2014) are not affected — those tractors had not been built when the recall was issued.