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Sears Craftsman tractors

4 reports to CPSC, the latest made May 7, 2020. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search, on saferproducts.gov

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At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.

  • 4reports to CPSC
  • May 7, 2020the latest report was made
  • Jun 22, 2012the earliest
  • 3with the company’s comments
Brand
Sears Craftsman
Maker
Sears Holdings Management CorporationMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product
TractorsCPSC’s product type: Tractors, Other or Not Specified, N.o.s. (code 1062), in Yard & Garden: Gardening & Landscaping
Other ways the reports write the brand (1)

“Sears”

By month

1 report from June 2019 to May 2020; the most in May 2020, 1. 3 earlier reports, since June 2012, are in the table.
The numbers, as a table
Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
MonthReports
May 20201
September 20171
August 20121
June 20121

How badly anyone was hurt

  • No one hurt 4 CPSC: Incident, No Injury

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

Source:

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  1. No one hurt

    Made May 7, 2020, sent to the company May 21, 2020, published by CPSC Jun 5, 2020

    The product, in the report: Tractor can been seen at this link https://www.searspartsdirect.com/model/139i6k4zle-000247/craftsman-917203901-lawn-tractor. It’s RED.

    Hello, I have a fairly new Craftsman Lawn Tractor Model# 917203901/ Serial# 052316D015088. I was doing some yearly maintenance and noticed that one of the transmission exterior shafts has been rubbing up against the plastic fuel tank. There is definitely some minor damage to the tank. I fear that if this continues the tank will rupture eventually. Having 3 gallons of gasoline running down on top of a hot transmission/trans axle is a great safety concern for me, and in my opinion a design/manufacturing oversight. I have some photos that I can share. Please let me know what I can do to help get this report and resolved as soon as possible.

    Model
    917.20391
    UPC
    N/A
    Serial number
    052316D015088
    Bought from
    Saears, Colorado
    Bought
    May 1, 2019, about then
    Where
    Colorado Springs, Colorado: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Sears Craftsman, made or sold by Sears Holdings Management Corporation
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  2. No one hurt

    Made Sep 13, 2017, sent to the company Sep 21, 2017, published by CPSC Oct 5, 2017

    The product, in the report: Red Sears Craftsman Riding mower with tight Turn.

    Front rims of Sears Lawn tractor split apart causing loss of stearing. First time I almost went into a fence. Riding mower was only 16 hours old. Second time the other rim disenegrated while mowing and also could not turn and went out into traffic. This second time occurred after approximately 30 hours. Material thickness of rim is too thin. Someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed because when it happens you cannot steer. I can provide pictures of Rims. Craftsman lawn tractor Model number 917-203921.

    Model
    917-203921
    Serial number
    010616A001103
    Bought from
    Sears, California
    Bought
    Apr 16, 2016
    Where
    Wilton, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sears Craftsman, made or sold by Sears Holdings Management Corporation
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  3. No one hurt

    Made Aug 6, 2012, sent to the company Aug 27, 2012, published by CPSC Sep 11, 2012

    The product, in the report: Lawn Tractor

    I own a Sears Lawn Tractor (model 917.272672). On the metal mower deck there is a plastic mulcher cover (part 136420) over an opening that allows the mower to be a mulcher or throw the grass to the side. This plastic mulcher cover covers a large opening directly over the mower baldes which protects the rider from the sharp spinning mower blades and objects that might be thrown up by the blades. The mower deck itself is thick steel to provide protection from the blades and thrown objects. The original mulcher cover on my lawn tractor was damaged and needed replacement. I ordered the replacement part from Sears. The replacement part they sent to me is not the same as the original part and does not fit properly....the rear rubber strap that holds the cover is way too short. The mulcher cover has protrusions on the bottom to fit into holes in the steel mower deck which my mower does not have. It has a small hole in the top of the cover that allows grass and potentially small objects to be thrown at the rider. I have talked with Sears and they insist this is the correct replacment part. It is not the correct part and leads to a poorly fitting mulcher cover. If this cover comes off, it puts the user at great risk of stepping into the moving mower blades or having objects thrown at the user off the mower blades. Sears has refused to do anything to correct this hazard which likely impacts many users of their lawn tractors.

    Model
    917.272672
    Bought from
    Sears, Pennsylvania
    Bought
    Sep 1, 2003
    Where
    Langhorne, Pennsylvania: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 61, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sears, made or sold by Sears Holdings Management Corporation
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  4. No one hurt

    Made Jun 22, 2012, sent to the company Jul 2, 2012, published by CPSC Jul 17, 2012

    The product, in the report: Sears Craftsman 42’’ 24hp Turn Tight™ Hydrostatic Yard Tractor (Non CA, Sears Item No. 07128856000, Model # 28856, manufactured by Husqvarna)

    While mowing on a virtually brand-new Sears Craftsman 42’’ 24hp Turn Tight™ Hydrostatic Yard Tractor (Non CA, Sears Item No. 07128856000, Model # 28856, manufactured by Husqvarna) on the afternoon of March 27, 2012, I ran into some leaves, no more than perhaps 3-4” deep at most. The leaves, which appeared to be slightly damp from a recent rain,  began to accumulate under the front of the tractor and caused it to lose  traction slightly, despite the size and power of the tractor, and, within  seconds, the leaves burst into flames, seriously damaging the front  end of the tractor, exploding both tires and melting the hood and front  brush guard.  It took me the better part of 30 minutes to fully put out  the fire.  I see this as a serious design flaw if a few leaves (and damp leaves at that), not even constituting a pile, could cause a major  fire in the engine compartment of the tractor.  Fortunately for me, the  gas tank did not explode, and I believe that I got the fire out soon  enough. The damage was estimated by Sears to be over $700. Sears has refused to honor its warranty obligation, so I have filed suit against both Sears and Husqvarna, the manufacturer. I see that this is not the first fire hazard problem that Craftsman/Husqvarna tractors have suffered.  I believe that there are recent CPSC recalls for Husqvarna fuel line fire hazards.

    Model
    28856
    Serial number
    040711D001313
    Bought from
    Sears
    Bought
    Mar 24, 2011
    Where
    Wake Forest, North Carolina: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 61, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sears Craftsman, made or sold by Sears Holdings Management Corporation
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Source:

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

    Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

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Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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