January 14, 2026 – An incident involving a Honda HRR2167VKA lawnmower has raised concerns after a consumer reported sustaining a shoulder injury due to the starter rope suddenly retracting while attempting to start the engine. The incident highlights potential safety risks associated with lawnmower starting mechanisms.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On December 22, 2025, a consumer filed an incident report detailing a personal injury sustained while attempting to start their Honda lawnmower. According to the report, as the consumer pulled the starter rope, the engine caused the rope to suddenly and forcefully retract, resulting in a shoulder injury. The unexpected and abrupt retraction of the starter mechanism led to immediate physical harm, prompting the user to seek medical attention or concern regarding the product’s safety.
Safety Concerns
The sudden retraction of a lawnmower starter rope presents several significant safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is blunt force trauma or strain to the user’s arm, shoulder, and upper body. Injuries can range from muscle strains and sprains to more severe conditions such as rotator cuff tears, dislocations, fractures, or nerve damage. The unexpected nature of the retraction means the user is unprepared, increasing the likelihood and severity of injury.
- Long-Term Risks: Depending on the severity, a shoulder injury can lead to chronic pain, reduced range of motion, weakness, and persistent discomfort. Such injuries may require extensive physical therapy, medication, or even surgical intervention, impacting the individual’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone operating the lawnmower is at risk. This includes experienced users, as well as individuals who may be less familiar with proper starting techniques or who have pre-existing conditions that make them more susceptible to shoulder injuries.
- Property Damage Potential: While the primary risk is personal injury, an unexpected jolt or loss of balance caused by the sudden retraction could potentially lead to the user losing control of the mower, causing it to strike objects or persons nearby, though this is less common than direct personal injury in such incidents.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own a Honda HRR2167VKA lawnmower or any similar model should take the following steps to ensure their safety:
- Immediate Steps to Take: If you experience any pain or injury after attempting to start your lawnmower, seek medical attention immediately. Stop using the lawnmower if it exhibits any unusual resistance, sudden retraction, or abnormal behavior during starting.
- How to Check if You Own the Affected Product: Locate the model number on your Honda lawnmower. The incident specifically involved a Honda HRR2167VKA.
- Prevention Measures:
* Always follow the manufacturer’s starting instructions provided in your owner’s manual.
* Maintain a stable stance with good footing when pulling the starter rope.
* Pull the rope smoothly and steadily, rather than with a sudden, jerky motion, to allow the engine to engage gradually.
* If the starter rope feels unusually stiff, gets stuck, or exhibits excessive resistance, do not force it. Have the lawnmower inspected by an authorized service center.
* Ensure the area around the lawnmower is clear of obstacles and bystanders before starting.
- Reporting Procedures: If you have experienced a similar incident or believe your product poses a safety risk, report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. Your report helps identify trends and potential hazards.
Manufacturer’s Response
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. responded to the incident on January 13, 2026. The manufacturer appreciated the opportunity to address the customer’s experience with their 2010 Honda HRR216 lawnmower. An internal review confirmed that the customer had initially contacted Honda on the date of the incident report to inquire whether their unit was included in Honda’s camshaft decompressor safety recall for HRN216 and HRX217 lawnmowers, which was launched in 2023.
Honda confirmed that the customer’s lawnmower was not included in any safety recalls, product updates, or warranty extensions. They also noted that the 36-month warranty on the unit had expired. American Honda recommended that the customer contact an authorized Honda Power Equipment dealer to schedule an appointment for a proper diagnosis of the issue. For any further concerns or questions, customers can call Honda’s Customer Relations department at 866-784-1870.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.