Devilbiss generators
9 reports to CPSC, the latest made Nov 12, 2020. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 9reports to CPSC
- Nov 12, 2020the latest report was made
- Sep 1, 2011the earliest
- 2with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Devilbiss
- Maker
- Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.Makers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- GeneratorsIncluding power plantsCPSC’s product type: Generators or Power Plants (code 606), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Electrical Systems
Other ways the reports write the brand (4)
“DeVilbiss Air Power Co.”, “Devilbliss”, “Devillbiss” and “divilbiss”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| November 2020 | 1 |
| September 2020 | 1 |
| April 2020 | 1 |
| January 2020 | 1 |
| September 2018 | 1 |
| September 2017 | 1 |
| May 2016 | 1 |
| November 2011 | 1 |
| September 2011 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- No one hurt 9 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.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Nov 12, 2020, sent to the company Dec 8, 2020, published by CPSC Dec 22, 2020
The product, in the report: Devilbliss 5000 watt generator model GB5000 2. It is the same as other generators built by a central manufacturing facility. Has gas tank [REDACTED]
Generator by Devilbliss has gas tank leaking
- Model
- GB5000
- UPC
- LA-2733
- Serial number
- 9812020803
- Where
- Hyden, Kentucky: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Devilbliss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 10, 2020, sent to the company Oct 8, 2020, published by CPSC Nov 10, 2020
The product, in the report: Devilbiss PowerBack 5250 watt generator
I filled the Devilbiss 5250 Powerback generator with fuel the morning after being hit by hurricane Laura and fuel started running out of corner of the fuel tank mounting location. Plastic tank is cracked and was not leaking before. Generator was in safe location during the hurricane and was not affected by storm. It would have caused a major fire and possible total loss of home and possible loss of life because leak was over the area above the muffler on the engine. Fuel leaked all over the generator and all over the ground and was very difficult to empty fuel from tank and minimize leakage at the same time and I was drenched in highly flammable gasoline. Found recall online that was dated in 1999. My generator manufacture date is 2005 and the fuel tanks still have the exact same problem after recall was published, so manufacturer did not fix problem, but accepted the risk as being more cost effective. I called the number listed in the 1999 recall and the company said they could not help, but said to call the number on the recall for repair (WHAT??? it’s the same number I contacted him with). Typical corporate answer to get consumers to give up is placing them in a nonsensical loop where there is no resolution. Please help as I depend on this generator for electrical loss due to hurricane power line infrastructure damage that will take over eight weeks to restore.
Previous recall number December 30, 1999 Release # 00-047 WASHINGTON, D.C. - % joins DeVilbiss Air Power Company (DAPC) of Jackson , Tenn., in alerting consumers about gasoline tanks used on certain models of portable generators. About 295,000 of these generators were sold nationwide from February 1996 until June 1999. CPSC and DAPC are investigating whether the fuel tanks on the generators can crack where the tanks mount on the frame, posing a fire hazard. As a precaution until that evaluation is complete, consumers should not put more than three gallons of gasoline in the fuel tanks at any time.
The only generators affected by this notice have the following brand names: DeVilbiss Air Power Company, EX-CELL, PowerBack, [REDACTED]. The seven gallon tanks that are affected include only those tanks that bear dates prior to June 1, 1999. The date is on the serial barcode label found on one of the gasoline tank support rails and on the shipping carton label.
Any consumer who has seen leakage from the tank should not use the generator and should contact DAPC at (800) 888-2468, ext. 21 or at www.devap.com to obtain a free warranty replacement tank. Consumers with questions can contact DAPC directly rather than contacting retailers. Consumers also can contact CPSC at (800) 638-2772.
- Model
- GT5250 WK2
- Serial number
- 2512060658
- Bought from
- Home Depot
- Bought
- Sep 26, 2005
- Where
- DeRidder, Louisiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Devilbiss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Apr 24, 2020, sent to the company Jun 3, 2020, published by CPSC Jun 17, 2020
The product, in the report: Devilbiss Generator Model GB5000
The generator was used during 1 storm season. He kept it going that time and used it until it ran out of gasoline in that instance. Not sure what year it may have been
Fall-2019: The consumer tried to use the generator, but gasoline began to spew over his leg and the floor of the deck, outside of his home. The consumer quickly started to maneuver and remove the fuel from the generator’s fuel tank. His clothes were soaked with gas and gas had spewed all of the generator and the deck floor. The fuel tank on the generator is plastic and black in color. he is not sure if the tank had damage.
The consumer kept the generator inside his home the past few 10 years or more, so it was not exposed to elements.
The consumer tried to call the firm (888-888-2468) but he stayed online for approx. 15 minutes and did not get an answer.
- Model
- GB5000
- Serial number
- 9912189331
- Where
- North Carolina: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Devilbiss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jan 6, 2020, sent to the company Feb 13, 2020, published by CPSC Feb 28, 2020
The product, in the report: gas powered generatro
The plastic fuel tank has a clamshell shape that was welded together and it leaked fuel inside his home.
The consumer came home and smelled an odor of gasoline. He found that the fuel had leaked from his generator into the basement of his home.
The generator is stored in the consumer’s heated basement, when not in use.
NOTE: It was not in use at the time. When the generator is used, it is placed outside in a shed built specifically for the generator.
The consumer checked on-line for parts and found information that indicated that these fuel tanks were made by Porter Cable.
1/6/2019. The consumer called the mfr., but was not able to speak with anyone.
It appears that Porter Cable may also be associated with the mfr. or that the companies may be related.
The consumer also tried a different number for Porter Cable’s Warranty Dept., but was not able to speak with anyone.
The consumer is extremely concerned about the potential fire hazard present by this issue.
Prior to this incident, the consumer has never experienced any problems with the generator. He operates it a could hours per year, when they have a power outage.
- Model
- GB500-2
- Serial number
- 9812001983
- Bought from
- Grainer
- Bought
- Feb 1, 1999, about then
- Where
- Forestcourt, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand DeVilbiss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Sep 17, 2018, sent to the company Nov 9, 2018, published by CPSC Nov 27, 2018
The product, in the report: 7 gallon generator
9/16/2018: The consumer drained the fuel tank and then filled it, in preparation for the potential hurricane. Once he filled to the level where the seam is located on the “plastic fuel tank”, he immediately noticed fuel leaking from it. He stopped filling it at that point.
There were no injuries.
He check online and saw there was a CPSC Recall# 00-047, for a similar issue. It was not clear if his model was included or not.
He does plan to contact the mfr. and report this matter to them.
The consumer used the generator earlier in 2018, but he did not fill the tank up to the seams at that time, so there was no leakage.
- Model
- 5250
- Bought from
- Lowe’s
- Bought
- Jun 1, 2000, about then
- Where
- Palm City, Florida: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Devilbiss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 7, 2017, sent to the company Sep 27, 2017, published by CPSC Oct 12, 2017
The product, in the report: Portable Generator
The consumer indicates that the gas tank leaks from his portable generator.
The consumer states that the generator is used approximately once a year for about an hour.
The consumer plans on keeping his generator for at least the next thirty days in case an investigation ensues.
- Model
- EXGB4010
- Serial number
- 2012010266
- Bought
- Jun 15, 2000
- Where
- Dysart, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Devilbiss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made May 10, 2016, sent to the company May 18, 2016, published by CPSC Jun 2, 2016
The product, in the report: DIVILBISS POWERBACK 5500 KW GASOLINE STANDBY GENERATOR MODEL GT5250-WK-1
PURCHASED DEVILBISS POWER BACK GENERATOR MODEL GT5250-WK-1 IN LATE 2005. RAN 2 SEASONS THEN MAINTAINED WITH FRESH FUEL EVERY YEAR UNTIL 5/8/16. FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM ONE OF FOUR BOSSES FOR BOLTING THE TANK TO THE GENERATOR FRAME. REVIEWED CONDITION OF ON LINE RECALL. CONDITIONS FOR LEAK IDENTICAL. WANT MANUFACTURER TO SUPPLY REPLACEMENT TANK, GROMMETS AND CAP TO REPAIR DEFECT.
- Model
- GT5250-WK-1
- Bought from
- BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, Florida
- Bought
- Sep 1, 2005
- Where
- wellington, Florida: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Age 58, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand divilbiss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 15, 2011, sent to the company Nov 23, 2011, published by CPSC Dec 8, 2011
The product, in the report: Gas powered generator DeVilbiss Air Power Co” PO Box 2468, Jackson, TN 38302-2468 Model # GBVE8000 18000 Watt Power Back Generator
My DeVilbiss generator’s gas tank started leaking just after I filled it and turned it on. My neighbor came and helped me turn it off before it caught fire! He pointed out the cracks on the gas tank where it is bolted to the frame. I have been calling the company and getting the run around since my initial conversation on September 12, 20011 when I found out on the US goverment site that this has been recalled. First the representative stated that my generator qualifies for a free replacement tank but then said they were out pf replacement gas tanks. Then they gave me a number of a business in the next town over (Tn-Town Machines, 2 Kirkland St., Deep River, CT (860-526-8388) that would install the tank when they came in because that was the only way they would guarantee it. I called him on Oct. 3, 2011 and he said he would call if the tank comes in. I called Tri Town after a couple weeks and he said he isn’t doing business with DeVilbiss any more because they are such a bad company. I called DeVilbiss Air Power Co., (PO Box 2468, Jackson, TN 38302-2468) again on October 3rd, 2011 and spoke to [REDACTED] and told her that [REDACTED] regarding model #GBVEBOOO (8000 watt) Power Back Generator gas tank that I will call Better Business Bureau and Consumer Protection if they don’t get the tank in the mail to me because I have been waiting for it since September 2011 . She said she was sending it ovemight delivery and I never received it During Hurricane Irene there was no power for eight days so it was outside my garage powering my house.
- Model
- Power Back GBVE8000
- Serial number
- 9912308176
- Bought
- Jan 1, 2000, about then
- Where
- Moodus, Connecticut: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 56, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand DeVilbiss Air Power Co., made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 1, 2011, published by CPSC Sep 26, 2011
The product, in the report: Portable generator GT 5250
I have a Devillbiss portable generator MOD# GT5250, manfactured 06/06/1999, simular to the [REDACTED] cable generator that has a leaking gas tank. After hurricane Iris i tried to fill the tank with gas and put about three gallons in when the tank started to leak on a moldline near one of the bolts used to mount the tank to the frame. If i had had the motor running there most likely would have been a FIRE. I have only used this generator twice before. Bought at Lowes here in North Carolina in 1999 and it should not matter how old the product is, its A HAZZARD!!!!!!!
- Model
- Portable generator MOD# GT 5250
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Where
- Dudley, North Carolina: Mobile/
Manufactured Home - Who was involved
- Age 56, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Devillbiss, made or sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
- 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.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
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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.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.