Owning a pressure washer can seem like a boon for homeowners wanting to clean decks, driveways and other outdoor surfaces. But if you own one, check the brand and model immediately: around 780,000 Ryobi-branded pressure washers sold at Home Depot and other US and Canadian retailers are being recalled.
The hazard is serious, according to a notice posted Thursday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. "The pressure washer's capacitor can overheat and burst, causing parts to be forcefully ejected, posing a risk of serious injury from impact to the user or bystanders," the notice said.
Ryobi has received 135 reports of capacitors overheating, including 41 reports of explosions, which resulted in 32 injuries to fingers, hands, faces and eyes.
The recalled pressure washers, model numbers RY142300 and RY142711VNM, were sold for $300 to $400 at Home Depot and Direct Tools Factory Outlet between July 2017 and June 2024. Most were sold in the US, though 16,000 were sold in Canada.
If you own one of the affected pressure washers, stop using it immediately. Visit Ryobi's recall website to verify if your model is affected. If so, you'll receive a free replacement capacitor, including shipment and installation instructions. No receipt or proof of purchase is required.
The affected Ryobi models were not part of CNET's best pressure washer list, which rates pressure washers for affordability and flexibility as well as evaluates which are best for specific jobs, such as cleaning RVs.