About 780,000 pressure washers sold at major retailers such as Home Depot are currently undergoing a recall in the United States and Canada due to a safety risk that has led to fractures and injuries among some consumers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a recall notice, highlighting that TTI Outdoor Power Equipment is recalling specific models of its Ryobi-branded electric pressure washers. The concern revolves around the potential overheating and bursting of the capacitor in these products, leading to the forceful ejection of parts and posing a significant impact hazard to users and bystanders.
As per the CPSC, there have been 135 reported cases of capacitors overheating in the U.S., with 41 instances resulting in explosions causing injuries such as fractures to consumers’ fingers, hands, face, and eyes. Health Canada reported no additional incidents related to these products in Canada.
The affected Ryobi pressure washers, with model numbers RY142300 and RY142711VNM, total approximately 764,000 units in the U.S. and 16,000 in Canada.
Consumers who own these recalled pressure washers are advised to discontinue their use immediately. They can access a free repair kit, inclusive of a replacement capacitor, by visiting Ryobi’s dedicated recall website for more information. In Canada, consumers can also reach out to TTI Outdoor Power Equipment Inc. at 800-597-9624.
These recalled products were available at Home Depot and Direct Tools Factory Outlet in the U.S. from July 2017 to June 2024. TTI Outdoor Power Equipment, a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries (TTI), is currently addressing the situation. Previous recalls by TTI this year include Ryobi-branded mowers and hedge trimmers due to fire and laceration risks, respectively.