Stihl RE 90 electric pressure washer spray wand nozzle disconnection injury hazard (CPSC Jan 23, 2020)

## Affected machines About **16,400 US units** of the Stihl **RE 90** electric pressure washer (entry-level model, part number 4951-012-4504 spray wand assembly). The pressure washer is **gray and orange** with **"STIHL RE 90"** printed on the front. ### Recall scope: spray wand only This recall covers **the spray wand** supplied with the RE 90, **not the whole machine**. The recalled wand is **15 inches long** and attaches to the spray gun. Interchangeable nozzles connect to the spray wand. ### Identifying recalled vs replacement wands | Component | Recalled wand | Replacement wand | |---|---|---| | Pin shape | Round pins | Square pins | | Notch | No notch | Has notch | The wand-pin geometry is the diagnostic — it's visible without disassembly. ### Production / sales window Sold at **authorized Stihl dealers nationwide** from **May 2019 through October 2019** for **about $180**. The pressure washer was **manufactured in China** for Stihl Inc. (importer). This recall applies to the RE 90 only, not to other Stihl pressure washers (RE 100, RE 100 PLUS, RE 110 PLUS, RE 90 PLUS, REA 60 PLUS, REA 100 PLUS). ## Issue The pressure washer **nozzle can disconnect from the spray wand** when the wand is under pressure during use, posing an injury hazard. A pressure washer in operation generates very high water pressure (~1,500-2,000 PSI on a homeowner electric unit). If the nozzle detaches from the wand under pressure, the **detached nozzle becomes a projectile** while the wand simultaneously **discharges a high-pressure water stream** in an uncontrolled direction. Both modes pose injury risk: - The nozzle can strike the operator or bystanders - The uncontrolled water stream can cause laceration / eye injury / bone fracture / property damage if directed at a person The defect is in the **mechanical interlock** between the nozzle and the wand — the recalled wand's round pins do not retain the nozzle reliably under pressure. The replacement wand's square pins and notch redesign the interlock to prevent disconnection. Reported field incidents at recall time: - 7 reports of the nozzle detaching from the spray wand during use - 0 injuries The recall was conducted under **CPSC's fast-track recall process** (CPSC #20-057), reflecting Stihl's voluntary cooperation in pulling the affected wands. ## What to do 1. Check the spray wand on your RE 90 — if the wand has **round pins and no notch**, it is the recalled version. 2. If your wand is in scope, **stop using the pressure washer immediately**. 3. Contact **Stihl Inc. or an authorized Stihl servicing dealer** for a free replacement spray wand. 4. Or call Stihl Inc. toll-free at **844-978-1291** Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET. 5. Online: https://www.stihlusa.com/safety/recalls/re-90-recall/ The replacement is wand-only; the pressure washer itself does not need to be returned. ## Hazard Severity is rated **warning**. The defect rate is low (~0.04% based on report count), no injuries had been reported, and the failure mode is interruptible (the operator can release the trigger to stop water flow). However, the projectile-plus-uncontrolled-stream combination poses a real injury risk, and the remedy is simple (wand swap). ## Related bulletins - **TNB02600078** — Stihl BR 800 backpack blower fan wheel laceration recall (CPSC 2025). Most recent Stihl recall. - **TNB02600079** — Stihl MSA 300 battery chainsaw delayed-brake laceration recall (CPSC 2023). - **TNB02600080** — Stihl MS 461 chainsaw fuel-line pinch fire hazard (CPSC 2017). This is the only **non-chainsaw, non-blower** Stihl recall in the TractorNuity library at time of writing. ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "STIHL Recalls Pressure Washers Due to Injury Hazard," January 23, 2020 (CPSC #20-057). - Importer: Stihl Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, Virginia. - Manufactured in: China. - Stihl recall page: https://www.stihlusa.com/safety/recalls/re-90-recall/