Exmark Quest ZRT (QST20/QST22/QST24) steering assembly failure recall (CPSC 2014)

## Affected machines About **5,300 US + 40 Canada** Exmark Quest ZRT mid-mount riding mowers, model years **2009 and 2010**. The mowers are red and gray. "Exmark" is printed on the side and "Quest" on the front. The model and serial numbers are on a metal plate behind the seat on the **left-hand side**. ### Affected models and serial-number ranges | Model SKU | Deck | Serial range | |---|---|---| | QST20BE422 | 42" | 814303 – 891973 | | QST22BE482 | 48" | 803664 – 895485 | | QST24BE522 | 52" | 810131 – 887319 | The SKU encoding: **QST** = Quest; **20/22/24** = horsepower; **BE** = Briggs & Stratton engine; **42/48/52** = deck size; **2** = generation. ### Prior recall on the same units About 2,200 Quest 2009/2010 ZRT mowers were previously recalled in **May 2012** for a **support bearing** issue (a different hazard). If your 2009/2010 Quest ZRT was repaired under the 2012 recall, it is **still subject to this 2014 steering recall** — the two are independent. ## Issue The **steering assembly can fail**, causing the rider to lose steering control. On a zero-turn mower this is particularly hazardous because steering is the operator's primary means of slowing or stopping forward motion (along with the lap-bar neutral position). Loss of steering at speed creates a crash hazard for the operator and bystanders. Reported field incidents at time of recall: - 9 incidents - 1 back injury reported ## What to do 1. Check your model and serial number against the table above. 2. If your mower is in scope, **stop using it immediately**. 3. Contact Exmark at (800) 667-5296 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT, or visit https://www.exmark.com and navigate to Service & Support → Safety Resources for recall information. 4. Free dealer repair through any authorized Exmark service dealer. ## Hazard Severity is rated **critical** because the failure mode involves loss of steering control on a moving mower, which is a primary safety system. ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Exmark Recalls Quest ZRT Riding Mowers" (Loss of Steering Control and Crash Hazard), May 15, 2014. - Exmark recall page: https://www.exmark.com/service/safety/recalls - Sold at hardware, lawn and garden, rental equipment stores and others nationwide from April 2009 through October 2010 for between $4,600 and $6,000. ## Library notes The three affected SKUs (QST20BE422, QST22BE482, QST24BE522) are added in this same migration as production-window-specific rows in the 'Quest QST Legacy Series'. The current Quest E / Quest S / Quest X residential lines are also added in this migration but are not in scope for this recall.