John Deere ZTrak zero-turn fire hazard from Kawasaki engine voltage regulator (CPSC 25-083)

## Affected machines About 39,000 (US) plus 2,600 (Canada) John Deere ZTrak zero-turn mowers with **Kawasaki engines specifically** built between October 2018 and September 2024. The mowers are green and yellow with the model number and "John Deere" printed on the front of the mower below the seat. The serial number is on the right side of the machine near the rear tire. ### Affected serial-number ranges | Model | Start serial | End serial | |---|---|---| | Z720E | `1TC720E****010001` | `1TC720E****080657` | | Z730M | `1TC730M****010001` | `1TC730M****080574` | | Z740R | `1TC740R****010001` | `1TC740R****080462` | | Z760R | `1TC760R****080001` | `1TC760R****080339` | The four asterisks represent a four-character plant-code variation that is not used to determine recall scope — match the leading and trailing numeric portions against the table above. **Important: this recall is engine-specific.** Only ZTrak mowers fitted with Kawasaki engines are affected. If your machine has a Kohler or other non-Kawasaki engine, your mower is not part of this recall even if the model number matches. ## Issue The voltage regulator inside the Kawasaki engine can fail during use or while the product is being stored. When the regulator fails, the engine overheats. Per the CPSC notice, this poses fire and burn hazards. Reported field incidents at the time of recall: - 5 reports of fires - 26 reports of melting and/or smoking - 0 injuries The fact that the regulator can fail **while the mower is in storage** (not just during operation) is unusual and worth highlighting — owners cannot rely solely on "I'll just stop using it for a while" as a workaround. Mowers should be kept away from combustibles until the repair is completed. ## What to do 1. Check your mower's model number (printed on the front below the seat) against the four affected models. 2. Confirm the engine is a **Kawasaki** — check the engine fan housing or air filter cover for the Kawasaki branding. If your mower has a non-Kawasaki engine, this recall does not apply. 3. Check your serial number (right side near the rear tire) against the table above. 4. If your mower is in scope, **stop using it immediately** and store it away from combustible materials. 5. Contact an authorized John Deere dealer to schedule the free repair. Deere's recall hotline is (800) 537-8233. 6. Kawasaki Motors USA can also be contacted directly at (866) 836-4463. 7. Both Kawasaki and John Deere are contacting registered owners directly. If you bought the mower used, you may not have received a notice — checking the model/engine/serial yourself is the only reliable way. ## Hazard Severity is rated **critical** because of the fire risk to the operator and to property (the mower itself plus anything nearby in storage). ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, recall 25-083, "Kawasaki Motors USA Recalls John Deere ZTrak Zero Turn Mowers with Kawasaki Engines Due to Fire and Burn Hazards," January 2, 2025. - Sold at authorized John Deere dealers nationwide from October 2018 through September 2024 for between $8,000 and $11,500. ## Library notes This bulletin attaches to **Z720E, Z730M, Z740R, Z760R**. Z735M is in our library but is NOT in this recall — the Z735M typically ships with a Kohler engine rather than a Kawasaki, so it falls outside the recall's engine-specific scope. The Z730M row is added in this same migration since it had not been in the library prior to this recall research. Year_start is 2018 (consistent with the recall's October 2018 production start).