NEW YORK (AP) — Approximately 780,000 pressure washers sold at retailers including Home Depot are being recalled throughout the U.S. and Canada because of a hazard that can cause parts to fly off, leading to fractures and other injuries for some users.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Thursday that TTI Outdoor Power Equipment is recalling specific models of its Ryobi electric pressure washers. The recall is due to the fact that the washer’s capacitor can overheat and explode, “causing components to be forcefully expelled.”
This presents significant risks to users or those nearby. Currently, the CPSC reports that the power tool and equipment company has documented 135 instances of capacitor overheating in the U.S., which includes 41 reports of explosions resulting in 32 injuries such as fractures to fingers, hands, face, and eyes of users. Health Canada reported that there have been no additional incidents in Canada.
Consumers who have these now-recalled pressure washers should immediately stop using them and check Ryobi’s recall website to find out how to obtain a free repair kit, which will include a replacement capacitor.
The Ryobi washers under recall have model numbers RY142300 and RY142711VNM. About 764,000 were sold in the U.S., in addition to 16,000 in Canada.
In the U.S., these washers were available at Home Depot and Direct Tools Factory Outlet from July 2017 to June 2024, priced between $300 and $400 both in stores and online.
TTI Outdoor Power Equipment is part of Techtronic Industries (TTI). The Associated Press has contacted the company for further comments on Thursday.
Beyond Thursday’s pressure washer recall, TTI also recalled Ryobi-branded mowers and hedge trimmers earlier this year — due to fire and laceration hazards, respectively.
