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

## Affected machines This bulletin covers the **BigDog** portion of CPSC recall 13-040. The recall is **engine-specific**, not mower-specific. BigDog mowers in scope are those with a Kawasaki FH-, FR-, FS-, or FX-series air-cooled v-twin engine (13-36 hp) **manufactured October 2011 - August 2012**. ### Affected BigDog models This bulletin attaches to the same BigDog legacy SKU rows used for CPSC 13-704 (TNB02600043) — the production windows overlap (May 2010 - May 2012 for 13-704, Oct 2011 - Aug 2012 for 13-040), and BigDog mowers in this era were predominantly Kawasaki-powered. | Model | Series | |---|---| | A Series (legacy) | BigDog Legacy Series | | C Series (legacy) | BigDog Legacy Series | | R Diablo (legacy) | BigDog Legacy Series | | R PowerBar (legacy) | BigDog Legacy Series | | R Series (legacy) | BigDog Legacy Series | | X Series (legacy) | BigDog Legacy Series | | X Diablo (legacy) | BigDog Legacy Series | Owners should match by the engine model and serial number on the engine. A BigDog mower could be in scope of CPSC 13-704 (vent valve fitting), CPSC 13-040 (Kawasaki engine fuel filter), both, or neither. ## 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: - 110 fuel-leak reports - 0 injuries ## What to do 1. Identify the engine model on top of your engine. Confirm it is an FH-, FR-, FS-, or FX-series Kawasaki. 2. Check the engine's spec and 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 BigDog 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 / Bob-Cat), TNB02600053 (Cub Cadet), TNB02600054 (Exmark), TNB02600055 (Ferris), TNB02600056 (Husqvarna), TNB02600057 (SCAG), TNB02600058 (Toro), **TNB02600059** (this bulletin), TNB02600060 (Hustler). BigDog has additional recall bulletins, all on the same legacy SKU rows: **TNB02600043** (CPSC 13-704 vent valve fitting fire hazard, the partner recall to this one), **TNB02600044** (CPSC 2019 Stout / Stout MP MY2018-2019 fire hazard), **TNB02600045** (CPSC 24-256 Stout MP voltage regulator). The pairing of CPSC 13-704 and CPSC 13-040 is a frequent source of confusion: both were active in late 2012, and BigDog mowers from the 2010-2012 production years can be in scope for either or both. Dealers receiving an Excel-built BigDog mower in for service should check both recall scopes. ## 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 - BigDog product recall info: https://www.bigdogmowerco.com