CPSC And Tanaka Recall Backpack Blowers
Home product recall 96-050. Announced by CPSC on Dec 20, 1995.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Dec 20, 1995. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Fire & Fire-Related Burn
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
December 20, 1995 Release # 96-050 WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Tanaka America of Kent, Wash., is announcing the recall of approximately 11,000 Tanaka and Ariens leaf blowers. The blower’s fuel tank could leak, presenting a possible fire hazard.The blowers are mounted on a black metal backpack frame with padded shoulder staps, an orange fuel tank, and black blower tubes. The names and model numbers of the manufacturer are printed in the center of the blower’s fuel tank or on the recoil starter. Tanaka models TBL-455 and TBL-500 and the Ariens model BB-430 blowers are involved in this recall.The leaf blowers were sold nationwide from January 1986 to December 1992 for between $400 and $460 each.Consumers who own Tanaka and Ariens blowers with these model numbers should stop using them immediately and return them to any Authorized Tanaka Servicing dealer. The backpack blowers will be fitted with a redesigned fuel tank at no charge. For more information, consumers should call Tanaka at 253-333-1200, ext 217.Tanaka has not received any reports of consumers who were injured in incidents involving the fuel leaks. Tanaka is conducting this recall to prevent the possibility of injury
Ariens leaf blowers and Tanaka leaf blowers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Tanaka.
- Made by Ariens.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.