John Deere recalls 2,100 mowers with faulty brakes

A faulty brake arm used in John Deere's D100 Series lawn tractors has prompted the recall of almost 2,100 models sold in the US and Canada between May and August of this year. No injuries have been reported, but the notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission states that failure of the tractor's brake arm poses a crash hazard that could result in serious injury or death.

All machines assembled in the company's plants are inspected, according to a company spokesperson, but a select number of these are subjected to even closer assessment. On some of the John Deere D110, D125, D130, D140, D155, D160, and D170 tractors sold during this period, the manufacturer found that the brake arm was not made to specifications and could physically break when stressed. The tractors are sold at Home Depot, John Deere dealers, and Lowe's.

The recall notice explains where to locate a given tractor's model and serial numbers. If your model number corresponds to one of the above products, you should look up your serial number on a list on the manufacturer's website.

Of the models listed in the recall, our mower Ratings include the John Deere D110, $1,700; John Deere D125, $1,800; John Deere D140, $2,000; and John Deere D155, $2,200.  But the models we tested were purchased before the dates specified in the recall notice. The recalled models were sold between May through August of this year. The D110 and certain other models were also recalled in September 2011.

If your model's serial number matches one included on the manufacturer list, you can contact the company at 800-537-8233 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To arrange the repair, contact your local John Deere dealer; do not return your tractor to Home Depot or Lowe's. The spokesperson we contacted told us that any John Deere dealer can make the repair in less than 30 minutes. If you cannot transport your tractor to the dealership, the dealer will come to you.

For more information on John Deere riding mowers read, "Nothing runs like a Deere you buy at the dealer."

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)