Talk about lousy timing.
Just as the Northeastern U.S. was digging itself out of one of the biggest blizzards in years, Honda is recalling about 18,500 snowblowers whose fuel tanks may leak, posing a fire hazard.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Wednesday that the fuel tank joint and o-ring located on the underside of the recalled snowblowers can seep or drip over time. Honda has received 90 reports of leaks, but no reports of a fire caused by them.
Snow blowers involved in the recall contain model number HS724 with frame serial number SZBE-1037913 through 1046577; model number HS928 with frame serial number SZAS-1151080 through 1169012 and model number HS1132 with frame serial number SZBF-1018734 through 1025998. The model numbers can be found on the side of the front scoop. Frame serial numbers are located on the rear of the snow blower just below the engine.
They were were sold nationwide from April 2005 through November 2010.
The CPSC said consumers should stop using the snowblowers immediately and call their Honda Power Equipment dealer to have the parts replaced for free.
Break out the shovels.