Ariens Compact 24-inch Sno-Thro (model 920014) carburetor bowl nut fuel leak fire hazard (CPSC March 2013)

## Affected machines About **5,400 US units** of the **Ariens Compact 24-inch Sno-Thro snow blower**, model number **920014**, with serial numbers ranging from **100,000 through 119,039**. The recalled snow blower is **24 inches wide** and comes in **orange with black**. The Ariens-brand label is on the **lower back panel** of the product with the warranty code. ### Engine identification The recalled units carry a **Briggs & Stratton engine model 13D1370110 F1** with serial number range **12053000000 through 12071699999**. The engine model is labeled on the side of the engine. **Important**: Engines with a **circular black marker dot** located on the right side of the engine base (below the electric starter and just above the oil drain plug) have **already been inspected and are not part of this recall**. Owners should check for this marker before pursuing the recall remedy. ## Issue The **carburetor bowl nut** can allow gas to escape from the unit. Gasoline leaking near a hot engine creates a fire hazard. This recall was conducted directly by **Briggs & Stratton Corporation** (the engine supplier) rather than Ariens Company, since the defect is in the engine carburetor rather than the snow blower chassis. This is the recall convention when an engine-supplier defect spans multiple OEM-branded products. Reported field incidents at recall time: - 0 fires - 0 injuries ## What to do 1. Find the Ariens-brand label on the lower back panel and confirm the model number is **920014** and serial number falls within **100,000 - 119,039**. 2. Find the Briggs & Stratton engine model number (**13D1370110 F1**) on the side of the engine and confirm the serial number falls within **12053000000 - 12071699999**. 3. Check for the **circular black marker dot** on the right side of the engine base — if present, your engine has already been inspected and is not in scope. 4. If the marker dot is absent and your engine is in the SN range, **stop using the snow blower immediately**. 5. Contact Briggs & Stratton at (877) 564-0172 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT, or visit https://www.briggsandstratton.com and click "Recall Alert Notice." 6. Free Briggs & Stratton dealer repair / inspection. ## Hazard Severity is rated **critical** because of the fire risk from fuel leakage on a hot engine, even though no in-field fires had been reported at recall time. Snow blowers are typically operated outdoors in cold weather, which somewhat mitigates structure-fire risk, but burn hazards to operators remain. ## Related bulletins - **TNB02600073** — CPSC February 2025 Ariens Deluxe / Platinum / Professional impeller continuing-rotation laceration recall (most recent active Ariens recall). - **TNB02600074** — CPSC April 2014 Ariens Compact / Compack Track / Sno-Tek + 28-inch power brush amputation/laceration recall. Different defect family, related Compact era. ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Briggs & Stratton Recalls Ariens Compact Snow Blowers Due to Fire Hazard," March 5, 2013. - Engine manufacturer: Briggs & Stratton Corporation, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. - Snow blower manufacturer: Ariens Company, of Brillion, Wisconsin. - Briggs & Stratton recall page: https://www.briggsandstratton.com