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CPSC recall · Reported September 30, 2020

STIHL Recalls to Repair Mini-Cultivator Attachments Due to Laceration Hazard

The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, posing a laceration hazard to the user.

Recall #
20193
Affected scope
About 185,000
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
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Stihl Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, Va recalled The recalled mini-cultivator is one of 15 interchangeable attachments to the STIHL KombiM… - a moderate-severity action.

STIHL Recalls to Repair Mini-Cultivator Attachments Due to Laceration Hazard was recalled by Stihl Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, Va in September 30, 2020. Reason: The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate …. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take …. Verify recall #20193 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Stihl Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, Va issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate ….

Moderate
severity level
September 30, 2020
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #20193 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #20193) was formally reported on September 30, 2020. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Stihl Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, Va is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 185,000.

The documented reason for this recall is: The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, posing a laceration hazard to the user. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take it to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for a free inspection and free proper assembly. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Household Products recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record

50100150200250 20052008201120142017202020232026 115
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 185,000

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

The recalled mini-cultivator is one of 15 interchangeable attachments to the STIHL KombiMotor KM model powerheads, which are sold separately. The mini-cultivator is used to break up loose soil. It has four black discs with tines mounted to a gearbox and attached to a metal drive tube with a black deflector. The mini-cultivator attachment should have been assembled by the STIHL dealer and not sold in a box or assembled by the consumer. The recalled mini-cultivator attachments are those with the gearbox installed upside down.

Reason for recall

The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, posing a laceration hazard to the user.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take it to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for a free inspection and free proper assembly.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 20193
Date reported September 30, 2020
Date initiated September 30, 2020
Recalling firm Stihl Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, Va
Affected scope About 185,000
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take it to an authorized STIHL servicing deal…

  • Check the recall number (20193) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The recalled mini-cultivator is one of 15 interchangeable attachments to the STIHL KombiMotor KM model powerheads, which are sold separately. The mini-cultivator is used to break up loose soil. It has four black discs with tines mounted to a gearbox and attached to a metal drive tube with a black deflector. The mini-cultivator attachment should have been assembled by the STIHL dealer and not sold in a box or assembled by the consumer. The recalled mini-cultivator attachments are those with the gearbox installed upside down.. Recalled by Stihl Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, Va. Units affected: About 185,000.
Why was this product recalled?
The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, posing a laceration hazard to the user.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take it to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for a free inspection and free proper assembly.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on September 30, 2020. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 20193.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (20193) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported September 30, 2020. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.