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ModerateActive

CPSC recall · Reported January 7, 2021

John Deere Recalls Frontier Rotary Tillers Due to Injury Hazard (Recall Alert)

Some PTO drivelines were assembled without a specified safety sign. The safety sign explains the associated hazards and that an operator or bystander can become entangled if there…

Recall #
21717
Affected scope
About 1,740 (in addition, about 140 were sold in Canada)
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
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Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill. recalled This recall involves John Deere's Frontier-branded rotary tillers for use with compact ut… - a moderate-severity action.

John Deere Recalls Frontier Rotary Tillers Due to Injury Hazard (Recall Alert) was recalled by Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill. in January 7, 2021. Reason: Some PTO drivelines were assembled without a specified safety sign. The safety sign explains the associated h…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled rotary tillers and contact an author…. Verify recall #21717 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-Some PTO drivelines were assembled without a specified safety sign. The safety sign explains the associated h….

Moderate
severity level
January 7, 2021
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #21717 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #21717) was formally reported on January 7, 2021. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 1,740 (in addition, about 140 were sold in Canada).

The documented reason for this recall is: Some PTO drivelines were assembled without a specified safety sign. The safety sign explains the associated hazards and that an operator or bystander can become entangled if there is contact with the driveline. 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 rotary tillers and contact an authorized John Deere dealer for a free inspection and repair. John Deere is contacting all known purchasers directl… - 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 1,740 (in addition, about 140 were sold in Canada)

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

This recall involves John Deere's Frontier-branded rotary tillers for use with compact utility tractors. "Frontier" and model RT1142, RT1149, RT1157, RT1165, RT1173, RT1181, RT3042, RT3042R, RT3049, RT3049R, RT3062, or RT3062R are printed on the back of the tiller. A complete list of serial numbers included in this recall along with the location of the serial number is available at: www.JohnDeere.com/FrontierTillerRecall.

Reason for recall

Some PTO drivelines were assembled without a specified safety sign. The safety sign explains the associated hazards and that an operator or bystander can become entangled if there is contact with the driveline.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled rotary tillers and contact an authorized John Deere dealer for a free inspection and repair. John Deere is contacting all known purchasers directly.

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 21717
Date reported January 7, 2021
Date initiated January 7, 2021
Recalling firm Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill.
Affected scope About 1,740 (in addition, about 140 were sold in Canada)
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 rotary tillers and contact an authorized John Deere dealer for a free inspec…

  • Check the recall number (21717) 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?
This recall involves John Deere's Frontier-branded rotary tillers for use with compact utility tractors. "Frontier" and model RT1142, RT1149, RT1157, RT1165, RT1173, RT1181, RT3042, RT3042R, RT3049, RT3049R, RT3062, or RT3062R are printed on the back of the tiller. A complete list of serial numbers included in this recall along with the location of the serial number is available at: www.JohnDeere.com/FrontierTillerRecall.. Recalled by Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill.. Units affected: About 1,740 (in addition, about 140 were sold in Canada).
Why was this product recalled?
Some PTO drivelines were assembled without a specified safety sign. The safety sign explains the associated hazards and that an operator or bystander can become entangled if there is contact with the driveline.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled rotary tillers and contact an authorized John Deere dealer for a free inspection and repair. John Deere is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on January 7, 2021. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 21717.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (21717) 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 January 7, 2021. 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.