Encore fire-hazard recall: Kawasaki FH / FR / FS / FX engine fuel filter (CPSC 13-040)

## Affected machines This bulletin covers the **Encore** portion of CPSC recall 13-040. Encore is a commercial-grade walk-behind and zero-turn mower brand. The recall is **engine-specific**, not mower-specific. Encore mowers in scope are those with the specific Kawasaki engine spec listed below, **manufactured October 2011 - August 2012**. ### Affected engine specs (Encore portion of CPSC 13-040 table) | Engine model | Spec | Serial range | |---|---|---| | FS541V | BS16 | FS541VA40673 - FS541VA74103 | ### Affected Encore models This bulletin attaches to representative Encore legacy walk-behind / zero-turn mower SKUs from the 2011-2013 production window: Premier and Prowler. Owners should match by engine model and serial number against Kawasaki's published list - not by mower model alone. ## Issue The **fuel filter** on the affected Kawasaki engines is a white translucent plastic VISU-brand filter that can become **brittle and crack**, allowing fuel to leak. Fuel leaking near a hot engine creates a fire hazard. Reported field incidents at time of recall (combined across all 24 affected brands): - 110 fuel-leak reports - 0 injuries ## What to do 1. Identify the engine model on top of your engine. Confirm it is an FS541V Kawasaki with spec BS16. 2. Check the engine's serial number against Kawasaki's published list at https://www.kawasakienginesusa.com/product-recall.html 3. If your engine is in scope, **stop using the mower immediately**. 4. Contact Kawasaki Motors USA toll-free at (866) 836-4463, or your local Encore dealer. 5. Free dealer repair (fuel filter replacement). ## Hazard Severity is rated **critical** because of the fire risk from a leaking fuel filter on a hot engine. ## Related bulletins CPSC 13-040 sibling bulletins: TNB02600050 (Ariens), TNB02600051 (Bad Boy), TNB02600052 (Bobcat), TNB02600053 (Cub Cadet), TNB02600054 (Exmark), TNB02600055 (Ferris), TNB02600056 (Husqvarna), TNB02600057 (SCAG), TNB02600058 (Toro), TNB02600059 (BigDog), TNB02600060 (Hustler), TNB02600066 (Gravely), TNB02600095 (Bush Hog), TNB02600096 (Country Clipper), TNB02600097 (Dixie Chopper), TNB02600098 (Dixon), TNB02600099 (DR Power), **TNB02600100** (this bulletin), TNB02600101 (Land Pride), TNB02600102 (Simplicity), TNB02600103 (Snapper Pro), TNB02600104 (Woods), TNB02600105 (Worldlawn). ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Kawasaki Motors Recalls Lawn Mower Engines Due to Fire Hazard," recall 13-040, November 15, 2012. - Kawasaki product recall page: https://www.kawasakienginesusa.com/product-recall.html