Honda HRR216 / HRX217 electric-start lawnmower blade rotation after handlebar release (CPSC 2014)

## Affected machines This bulletin covers two Honda electric-start walk-behind lawnmower models plus a Columbia-brand sister product, all with 21" cutting blades and Honda engines. ### Affected models - **Honda HRR216** (red and silver) - **Honda HRX217** (red and gray) - **Columbia 12ALD33Q897** (orange and black, with "Honda" printed on the engine cover) "Honda" is on the engine cover of the Honda models. The model and serial numbers are on the certification label that is affixed to the cutter housing deck behind the engine. ### Sales window Sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide (Honda models) and at Beaver Valley Supply (Denver, CO), Lawn Equipment Parts Co (Marietta, PA), and Smiths South-Central Sales Co (Spring Hill, LA) (Columbia models) from **January 2013 through December 2013** for between $500-$780. ### Affected unit counts - About 20,800 Honda-brand mowers in the US - 48 Columbia-brand mowers in the US - 3,000 Honda-brand mowers in Canada (Health Canada) ## Issue The lawnmower's cutting blade can **continue rotating after the handlebar control lever is released**, defeating the safety bail handle's purpose. A blade rotating without operator presence at the handle is a laceration hazard. Reported field incidents at time of recall: - 11 reports of blade rotation continuing after handlebar release - 0 injuries ## What to do 1. Identify the unit by the model and serial number labels. 2. **Stop using the lawnmower immediately.** 3. Honda owners: Contact a Honda Power Equipment dealer to schedule a free repair. 4. Columbia owners: Contact a Honda Engine dealer to schedule a free repair. 5. American Honda is contacting all registered customers directly. ## Hazard Severity is rated **warning** because: - No injuries reported - Small affected population (~24,000 total) - The defect is observable (blade keeps rotating) so users notice before injury risk - Calibration consistent with similar mower-control bulletins ## Related bulletins Other Honda lawnmower bulletins in this migration: TNB02600117 (camshaft starter-rope retract), TNB02600119 (HRX217KHXA fuel-tank crack), TNB02600120 (HRB217HXA blade rotation, larger 167K-unit recall), TNB02600121 (HRX217 rear shield). ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "American Honda Recalls Lawnmowers," 2014. - Honda Power Equipment: https://powerequipment.honda.com