Generac Recalls More Than 325,000 Portable Generators in 2021

Product recalls are a nightmare for all the involved parties. Consumers, investors, and manufacturers cringe in unison at the mere mention of a recall. Faulty equipment that isn’t recalled soon enough can result in serious illness, injuries, and even death in some unfortunate cases. The point of a recall is to spread the word quickly about a substandard and unsafe product and get those units back to the factory as quickly as possible before anyone gets hurt.

To avoid expensive disasters and legal action, ethical manufacturers put their fears of a tarnished image aside and get right to work accepting their mistakes. Such efforts send a positive message to the world and ensure a positive reputation for the brand. And this was recently seen with the rather unexpected Generac recall of over 325,000 portable generator units!

The problem? A faulty handle.

The Generac handle recall has created quite a buzz because the brand is undeniably famous in North America. Moreover, the number of generators being recalled is mind-boggling. All of these generators are portable and are mostly used by homeowners or small businesses.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Generac generator 2021 recall. We will also mention how you can contact Generac for the Generac portable generator handle recall program.

Generac’s Recall Strategy for 2021 Handle Fault

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Generac receive eight official reports of injured fingers and seven reports of severed fingers due to the handle’s fault! As it turns out, an unlocked handle on the unit can pinch the fingers up against the generator’s frame when it is moved, resulting in injury or amputation.

While the recall is underway, our thoughts go out to all those who were injured.

It’s easy to develop a negative impression of a brand when a faulty handle or other issue results in life-changing severe injury, but the reality is that Generac has an outstanding reputation in the injury, with this being their only recall over the years for a good reason.

Brief History of Generac Brand

Generac was founded in 1959 by Robert Kern. In 1970, Generac started manufacturing portable and RV generators. Ten years later, it entered the commercial and industrial markets. Generac is a Fortune 1000 American manufacturer of backup power generators for residential, commercial, and industrial markets. The brand’s generators are well known for durability and rugged use. The company has been vastly successful, and in 2010, Generac Holdings Inc., the parent company of Generac, started trading as a public company on the New Your Stock Exchange.

Generac has various awards and accreditations to its name. The company received Milwaukee Magazine’s “Best Places to Work” award for the Southeastern Wisconsin award. The company also holds Good Housekeeping Seal for its Guardian series standby generators and is also a proud recipient of the 2014 Natural Gas Generator Company of the Year Award to contribute to the North American natural gas generator industry. It stands to reason that Generac is a fantastic brand that’s in touch with its consumers. 

Generac’s products are divided into two main categories; homeowners and business owners. It offers home backup generators, portable generators, and various power tools for home improvement and includes a commercial product range consisting of backup generators, industrial generators, mobile generators, light towers, heaters, and pumps.

Generac Recall 2021

It’s sad to see such an exceptional brand making a mistake, but perhaps that just what it was – a mistake. The current Generac recall is due to a faulty handle, and it can get pretty dangerous if used without being repaired. Let’s check out all the details.

Name of the Product

Generac® and DR® 6500 Watt and 8000 Watt portable generators

A detail of the unit type and the model number is given in the table below:

You can stop using them immediately now that you know which unit type and models are being recalled. 

Product Description

All of the units are portable generators with a gasoline engine. The portable generators have two wheels and a single, U-shaped, two-grip, flip-up pin-lock handle to help move the generator. Please note that only the generators listed above are included in the recall program.

Recall Date

July 29, 2021  

Number of Units

About 321,160 (In addition, 4,575 in Canada)

The Risk

When you move the generator, its handle can pinch the user’s finger, potentially crushing it or severing it. It can also lead to finger amputations. CBS News published a detailed report about the injuries.

Incidents

Up till now, Generac has received seven reports of amputated fingers and eight reports of injured fingers. We hope that there are no more injuries in the upcoming days.

The Remedy

All owners of the generator models mentioned in the list above must immediately stop using the unit. The remedy is to insert a locking pin to secure the handle before and after moving the unit. The best course of action is to reach out to Generac to determine how your handle will be repaired or replaced.

You must contact Generac as soon as possible on the recall page or call Generac at 844-242-3493.

You can also report a defective product; you can also call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 or visit https://www.saferproducts.gov/. CPSC has provided a dedicated online platform for information about the Generac 2021 recall. You can check all the details, report any unfortunate incident, get in touch with media specialists or CPSC officials.

Sold At

Major home improvement and hardware stores nationwide and online, including Ace Hardware, Amazon, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, City Electric Supply, Costco, Do it Best, Fastenal, Home Depot, Lowe’s Stores, Napa Auto Parts, Northern Tool & Equipment, Orgill, Power Equipment Direct, Ravitsky Bros., True Value, and W.W. Grainger from June 2013 through June 2021 for between $790 and $1,480.

Manufactured In

The United States and China

Recall Number

21-173

History of Generac Recalls

Generac has been in business for nearly 62 years. Never in these years has there been a design or production flaw in its generators. Users do complain about some issues, but they are not related to design. Such issues arise due to maintenance problems and careless running routines. What will a machine do if you overload it and run it for 12 hours continuously? It will break down. Malfunctions resulting due to improper usage are not the responsibility of the manufacturer.  Engine problems are related to irregular oil change and running the machine on low oil.

Generac is not a small brand. It is a public company, and its generators are sold to hundreds of retailers across the world. Generac’s commercial generators are by far the leading portable generator brand on the world market. The technology, design, and innovation level is unmatched by the competitors. Every Generac generator has a minimum of 4/5 rating.

This product recall happened for the first time, and it doesn’t mean that all Generac’s products are faulty. A lot of companies have faced recalls in the past. Samsung recalled Galaxy Note 7 after complaints that the battery started to burst. It suffered a loss of $5.3 billion. Takata Air Bag Recall started in 2008. The total amount of this recall is $24 billion and still counting. There are various other examples of product recalls in American history.

Knowing Generac and its commitment to the cause of supplying clean and easy alternate power and high-quality power tools to its consumers around the world, it is a matter of time that Generac will be sending locking pins.

How to Use Generac Generators Properly + Safety Tips

It is very important to follow generator safety tips for a safe generator operation. Unfortunately, you cannot avoid any mishaps that may happen due to a design flaw. However, if you follow the directions given below, you can reduce the chances of an accident.

• Maintain a safe distance of at least 15 feet (EPA recommended) from doors, windows, RVs, or other structures.
• Always operate your generator on a dry surface under a canopy. Do not run your generator without a generator shed in rain or snow.
• Make sure you use a transfer switch for running your home on a portable generator.
• Always ground your generator. It can prevent shocks and electrocution.
• Always use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords with proper wire covering and an overall excellent condition with generators.
• If you are plugging the appliances directly into your Generac generator, ensure the plugs are not damaged and the wires are not nude.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
• Keep your generator fueled when you plan to run it for a long time. Never refuel or move a hot unit.
• Always store your generator in a safe, dry place and use generator covers to protect it.
• Replace engine oil timely.
• Check spark plugs periodically.
• Run your portable generator once a month to ensure that everything is all right.
• Clean air filters.
• Follow manufacturer’s operational, safety and storage instructions at all times.

The best way to take care of your generator is to plan periodic maintenance. In this way, you will identify any potential issues and stay well prepared for an emergency.

FAQs

Final Word

One unfortunate event or a design flaw cannot negate the fact that Generac is one of the leading generator brands in the world. People simply love using Generac because of its reliability and durability. We are sure that Generac will solve the problems and will be back on track very soon.