Black & Decker issued a recall on its CMM1000 24V cordless electric lawn mower about two years ago — not a recent recall, but it’s still in effect. Last summer, I found one of these mowers on the side of the road with a sign on it that said ‘Free’. After taking it home, I couldn’t get it to work and figured that’s why it was on the side of the road. While searching for a user’s manual on B&D’s website, I came across this recall. I called up Black & Decker, and sure enough, my model was covered.

The recall involves mowers labeled TYPE 1 through TYPE 4. If you have a TYPE 5 mower you’re already in the clear. According to Black & Decker, “an electrical component can overheat, damaging the lawnmower, and it poses a possibility of a fire hazard. If your mower is included, STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY and call 1-866-229-5570.” You can call them anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, to arrange for a free repair.

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Campbell Hausfeld is recalling several compressor models after 11 fires were reported. The recalled compressors pose a fire hazard due to improper motor coverings that can ignite during use. The affected products include certain Campbell Hausfeld and Husky compressors sold between July 2005 and November 2007.

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Earlier this month Skil posted a recall affecting approximately 811,000 circular saws including the 5650, 5700, 5750, and 5755 models.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision press release, Skil says these these saws’ trigger switches “can be locked on or the switch can be turned on without the use of the safety lock out.  This can case unexpected operation of the saw, posing a risk of laceration.”

Check out the release (linked below) to see a list of the affected serial numbers/date codes, or contact Skil at (866) 761-5572 for more information.

(Thanks, Pat, for the tip!)

Skil Circ Saw Recall [CPSC.gov]

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation recently announced a safety recall of all 14.4V 2.4 Ah and 18V 2.4 Ah NiCd Battery Packs manufactured between 1999 and February 2004.  These batteries were originally sold under the Milwaukee Power Plus, Chicago Pneumatic, and Extractor brand names.  According to the recall document, the battery packs could explode if an over-pressure vent inside the battery pack becomes damaged during use.

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CNN is reporting that Ford announced a recall yesterday of “over 37,000 of its new 2008 model F-Series Super Duty trucks after reported tailpipe fires in the diesel version of the pickups.”  From CNN:

“Ford said it had received reports of three cases where leaking fuel or oil ignited when trapped in a diesel particulate filter near the tailpipe of the new trucks.  In one case in Texas, a truck’s hot tailpipe set off a grass fire when the driver pulled off the road.”

Considering how popular the Super Duty models are as work trucks here in Texas, I’d imagine more than a few Texas dealerships’ll be seeing these in the near future.

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Autoblog is reporting this weekend that Chrysler will likely issue a recall for over 86,000 Dodge Rams built between Nov. 7, 2005 and April 27, 2006.  According to Autoblog:

“[The recall] amounts to little more than adding grease to wheel bearings.  Unfortunately for 2006 Ram owners if this issue is left unchecked it can lead to road noise and vibration and can eventually result in a loss of control and a crash.”

Check Autoblog for additional coverage, or better yet contact your dealer.  (And don’t miss the comments on AB’s post — they’re funny as hell.)

Chrysler Set to Recall Some 2006 Dodge Rams [Autoblog]

CNN reported yesterday that Toyota’s recalling “about 533,000″ Toyota vehicles including Tundra pickup trucks “to repair faulty components that could make the vehicles difficult to steer.  Pickups involved are between the 2004 and 2006 model years.

I’ve seen more and more Toyotas in use as work trucks in the last few years — as well as Nissans.  It seems like they’ve finally found their way out of the “mini-truck” wet-paper-bag, adding some pretty crazy features in the latest rounds of development. 

I’ll admit to being a bit old-fashioned: I drive a ‘97 F150 with a ton of miles on it.  Of course, it’s seen its share of recalls as well, the most recent of which came in the mail with advice that I “not park the truck inside” until they could fit me in six months down the road to do the cruise-control recall.  Ouch!

Toyota to Recall 533,000 SUVs, Trucks [CNN.com]

Related:

• DeWalt Recalls 81,000 Cut Out Tools
• Another DeWalt Recall

According to WVLT-TV out of Knoxville, TN, DeWalt is recalling 44,000 model DC305 36V Reciprocating Saws (pictured above) “which they believe can short circuit, posing a fire hazard.”  From WVLT-TV’s coverage:

“DeWalt has received four reports of short circuits in the switch of these saws.  One of these incidents was a report of a fire resulting in extensive damage, though the cause of this fire has not been confirmed.  Another fire reportedgle resulted in minor damage, and two other incidents resulted in melting damage to the units.  No injuries were reported.”

If you’ve got a DC305 with a date code between 200601-49 and 200640-49, you should stop using the saw immediately and contact DeWalt at (866) 751-9562 (between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday) for a free repair.

This recall came right on the heels of a similar recall for model DW660 cut out saws a few days ago.

DeWalt Reciprocating Saw Recall [WVLT-TV]

According to the Kansas City infoZine, DeWalt is recalling some 81,000 Model DW660 cut out tools due to the possibility that “the cord wire in these units could be damaged internally, posing a shock hazard to consumers.”

If you’ve got one of these, you should “stop using [it] immediately and contact DeWalt for the location of the nearest service center to receive a free inspection and repair, if necessary.”  That number is (888) 263-9051 — only between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.