Sun Joe Battery Lawn Mowers Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard
The maker offers a self-repair option for a bolt or blade that can unexpectedly detach
By Tobie Stanger
Snow Joe, maker of Sun Joe lawn mowers, has recalled about 26,300 Sun Joe cordless battery push mowers sold in the U.S.—and an additional 350 sold in Canada—because the mower blade can detach unexpectedly, posing a laceration hazard, according to a recall notice released today by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
No injuries have been reported, but the company has received 31 reports of either the blade or the bolt securing the blade on the recalled lawn mowers detaching.
The recalled battery mower model numbers are 24V-X2-17LM and 24V-X2-17LM-CT. They are actually the same mower, but the 24V-X2-17LM was sold bundled with batteries and chargers and is included in CR’s battery mower ratings.
If you own a mower with one of the specified model numbers, stop using it and contact Snow Joe for details on determining whether your lawn mower is included in the recall, as well as instructions on how to repair the problem yourself. You can find the model and serial number by checking the white label on the battery’s ejector flap.
Self-Fix Remedy Provided
The remedy for the problem outlined on the Snow Joe recall announcement is to inspect and secure the lawn mower blade yourself.
The recall announcement includes downloadable, step-by-step illustrated customer repair instructions for fixing the mower problem—basically by tightening a lug nut with a ratchet wrench. Elan Gershoni, general counsel of Snow Joe, which is based in Hoboken, N.J., likens the fix to changing a mower blade. "Consumers do that all the time on their own," he says.
Misha Kollontai, the Consumer Reports engineer who oversees lawn mower testing, recommends that consumers focus on the downloadable repair instructions and not the featured video, which is not specific to the recall issue.
Ashita Kapoor, associate director of product safety at Consumer Reports, says self-fixes in recall notices are not unheard of. They’re appropriate, she says, “as long as the company is providing clear instructions either via a video or step-by-step manual which outlines the fix.”
Consumers who have questions about the repair or don’t want to do it themselves can contact Snow Joe at 800-641-2917 or by email at recalls@snowjoe.com for assistance in finding a repair center that can make the fix at no cost.
Details of the Sun Joe Battery Lawn Mower Recall
The recall: It involves Sun Joe cordless walk-behind battery lawn mowers with model numbers 24V-X2-17LM and 24V-X2-17LM-CT. “Sun Joe” is printed on the side of the mowers and on the mulching bag. The recalled 48-volt mowers have a 17-inch cutting deck. For more information on finding the model and serial number, read our description above or see the CPSC recall notice.
The risk: The blade or the bolt securing the blade can detach unexpectedly, causing a laceration hazard.
Incidents/injuries: None reported.
How many: About 26,300 models sold in the U.S. and 350 sold in Canada.
Where and when sold: The mowers were sold at online at Amazon, Home Depot, SnowJoe.com, and Walmart, and in hardware, electronics, and department stores nationwide from June 2020 through July 2022. Prices ranged between $190 and $230 for model 24V-X2-17LM-CT sold without batteries, and between $180 and $350 for model 24V-X2-17LM bundled with batteries and chargers.
The remedy: Stop using the mower and follow the downloadable, step-by-step illustrated customer repair instructions to fix the problem yourself. Or contact Snow Joe if you would like assistance in finding a repair center that can provide this service at no cost to you.
Contact information: Contact Snow Joe at 800-641-2917 or by email at recalls@snowjoe.com
Report a hazardous product: Call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 or go to SaferProducts.gov.
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