Riding Power Lawn Mowers
Twenty years of CPSC NEISS emergency-room records for this consumer product category, combined with demographic breakdowns, multi-year injury trends, and matching recall notices.
Lawn & Garden Equipment · CPSC Code 1422
Stable over 5 years
The verdict
Riding Power Lawn Mowers carry a danger score of 44/100 (moderate risk), driven by roughly 14,504 ER-treated injuries a year that are roughly flat over the last five years.
- 44/100
- danger score (moderate risk)
- 14,504
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 13.3%
- end in hospital admission
- 65-74
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 1422 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 44/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for riding power lawn mowers - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume14,504 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)13.3%
- Fatality rate0.21%
- 5-year trend-6%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Riding Power Lawn Mowers (CPSC product code 1422, in the Lawn & Garden Equipment category) generate an estimated 14,504 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 290,075 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 44/100 for this category (moderate risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are roughly flat over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2024 (17,851 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2021 (12,626 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for riding power lawn mowers is strain, sprain to the lower trunk, accounting for approximately 16,874 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by other to the lower trunk (14,425 cases). The 65-74 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 52,672 cases over the NEISS window, and males appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 13.3% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (0.21%) result in fatality.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 404 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how riding power lawn mowers fail in real households. Every figure on this page comes from CPSC-published data: NEISS projects national estimates from a probability sample of about 100 U.S. hospital emergency departments, while SaferProducts.gov collects voluntary reports from consumers, manufacturers, and clinicians. The danger score, trend indicators, and demographic breakdowns update automatically when CPSC releases a new yearly NEISS file, which is why this page is dated 2024-12-31. For regulatory context, consult CPSC recall notices and the SaferProducts.gov public database linked below.
Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)
Source: CPSC NEISS national estimates CPSC NEISS national estimates Injuries represent ER-treated cases only
Who Gets Injured?
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 4,887 | 2,202 | |
| 5-14 | 8,046 | 3,862 | |
| 15-24 | 13,943 | 2,806 | |
| 25-34 | 17,651 | 5,056 | |
| 35-44 | 27,160 | 8,025 | |
| 45-54 | 32,284 | 11,745 | |
| 55-64 | 39,183 | 12,085 | |
| 65-74 | 42,076 | 10,596 | |
| 75+ | 40,576 | 7,897 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Trunk | Strain, Sprain | |
| Lower Trunk | Other | |
| Upper Trunk | Fracture | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Upper Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Upper Trunk | Other | |
| Lower Trunk | Fracture | |
| Lower Leg | Laceration | |
| Head | Laceration | |
| Ankle | Strain, Sprain | |
| Lower Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Leg | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Neck | Strain, Sprain | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Knee | Strain, Sprain |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
84 YOM FELL GETTING OFF POWER RIDING MOWER DX LOWER LEG ABRASION
84YOF WAS PULLING ON A PACKAGE WHEN SHE STUMBLED AND FELL OVER HER RIDING LAWN MOVER AND STUCK HER RIGHT OCCIPUT ON THE TRAILER OF THE LAWN MOVER DX: RIGHT SCALP LACERATION, CLOSED HEAD INJURY
82YOM PRESENTS WITH LEFT LEG PAIN AND SWELLING AFTER BUMPING / INJURING IT GETTING ON A RIDING LAWN MOWER DX: LEFT LEG PAIN
63YOM C/O LEG PAIN, HE WAS ON A RIDING MOWER AND GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE DITCH AND HE SLID DOWN THE DITCH AND IT TIPPED OVER ON HIM AND HE PUSHED AWAY. DX;STRAIN OF HAMSTRING
77 YOM STATES THAT HE FELL OFF OF HIS RIDING LAWNMOWER ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO SUSTAINING AN INJURY TO LUMBOSACRAL BACK AREA. PAIN WASN'T BAD UNTIL HE SAT ON HARD PEW AT CHURCH AND NOW C/O WORSENED PAIN. DX: LUMBAR SPINE BACK INJURY, MULTILEVEL DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE OF THE LUMBAR SPINE.
9YOM WAS AT A FUNERAL,PLAYING AROUND,WHEN HE WAS JUMPING FROM A LAWN TRACTOR TO A TABLE.HE TRIPPED OVER A *** CORD & LANDED ON HIS R WRIST. DX: RIGHT WRIST FRACTURE
67YOM REPORTS HE TIPPED HIS LAWN TRACTOR OVER WHILE MOVING SNOW WITH IT A FEW DAYS PRIOR HE REPORTS ONSET OF MILD LEFT GROIN AND HIP PAIN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT DX: PAIN IN LEFT HIP AND LEG
45YOF C/O BACK PAIN, ABDOMINAL PAIN, WAS RIDING LAWNMOWER THAT WAS TOWING A TRAILER. THE TRAILER WAS HIT BY A CAR, THE TRAILER BUCKLED UP AND SHE WAS THROWN TO A DITCH. DX: COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF L1 VERTEBRA, COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF T12 VERTEBRA
71YOM C/O BACK OR FLANK PAIN. SINCE RIDING THE MOWER AND HITTING A BUMP SEVERAL DAYS AGO HAS HAD RIGHT HIP PAIN THAT RADIATES DOWN RIGHT LEG. RADIOGRAPHS NEGATIVE FOR ACUTE INJURY. DX: PAIN IN RIGHT HIP
77YOF, RIDING LAWNMOWER, FLIPPED OVER & FELL OFF, C/O RIGHT SHIN & AND ANKLE PAIN DX: LATERAL MALLEOLUS FRACTURE RIGHT ANKLE
86YOM, C/O LEFT HIP PAIN ON LAWN MOWER YESTERDAY DX:LEFT ISCHIAL CONTUSION
28 YOM GETTING OFF RIDING LAWN MOWER, CUT LEG DX LOWER LEG LACERATION
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
The consumer stated that she is having the same problem that is in recall rel#02-113 The consumer stated that the gas tank cracked and leaked unto the deck creating smoke last year. The consumer stated that she just found out about the recall on 9/9/2013. The consumer stated that she had her mower repaired last year but she wanted to report that she had a problem.
Rear axle jerking and slipping, lost control on a hill. Did not get hurt thank goodness. Checking the broken part that fell off, found numerous issues. The rear axle was loose from the upper bracket bolts gone. This allowed rear axle twisting the frame holes were cracked. This also allowed the drive belt to slack or tighten in motion. The belt did come off while on an incline and broke some parts before I got stopped at the bottom. This is a dangerous mover and needed to be recalled. I was never notified of a recall or warned of an issue. Why? Took my money and info when I purchased, why no notification? Should buy this junk back, before someone gets hurt!
On September 2nd, 2018 the caller was just finishing mowing his yard when the mower stopped running just short of mowing completion. This had never happened before although he had minor issues through out the years . He got off the mower and began inspecting it then noticed an apparent crack around the seam where the gasoline is leaking. He is reporting this incident condition as a severe fire and burn hazard for users. There are no injuries being reported This consumer has contacted the manufacturer who has refused to repair this unit.
Caller stated that the zero turn lawn mower caught on fire after it was parked on grass in her backyard. It was in use for approximately 1 hour before the unit's motor erupted in flames as soon as the user turned it off and exit the unit. The fire department was called and they contained the fire. A fire report was filed. The lawn mower was destroyed by the fire. Prior to the incident there was no evidence that there was gas leakage. She still have the remains of this unit. 8/18 Caller stated that the manufacturer was contacted and she was advised to email photos of the incident. 8/19 The company responded after receiving the email that the grass was too long it could have contributed to the fire and they were not able to assist her. Caller feels that this lawn mower is a fire hazard and should be recalled.
Lawnmower got engine fire
(05/15/2012) The consumer was riding on lawnmower and her shoelace caught on the left side of the mower. There are nubs on the top of the deck. These nubs are used to attach the garden hose. When her shoelace got caught the consumer stated she fell down on her knees. Her knee was not bruised but it keeps popping and cracking. 06/15/20120) The consumer got on the lawnmower to go over and fed her daughter's animals. She had a pair of bellbottom pants. The pant leg got caught on the left side of the lawnmower. The consumer considers this to be a safety hazard because of the placement of the nubs. The consumer stated that there should be some type of cover over the nubs.
An extension spring on the deck keeps breaking (two within 3 months) which shuts off the mower deck while in motion. The piece of metal off the spring comes off the deck and is hit by the mower blades which sends flying to who knows where. I took my mower to the Cub Cadet Dealer and they said this is a reoccurring problem with these mowers and Cub Cadet has done nothing to make a better quality spring. This mower is a year old and has been under warranty, but this is a defect in the manufacturing which creates a safety hazard for anyone or anything who is near the mower when the spring breaks. The cub cadet part number is 732-04229 Extension Spring, .75 x 6.02.
I had a gas leak coming from the bottom of the gas tank on my Cub Cadet Riding mower. The gas tank is held on by four bolts screwed into the tank from underneath the gas tank. The tank had several cracks around one of the bolts causing a slow leak and fumes of gasoline in my garage. These fumes could have been dangerous. A fire from the fumes could have burned my house down. I contacted Cub Cadet and asked if the manufacturer had a recall on the gas tank. The technical support department said no recall on my product. My incident number with Cub Cadet was [REDACTED]. I explained that their is a design defect in the bracketing of the gas tank. The vibration of the machine caused the cracking on the bottom of the gas tank. All Cub Cadet would do for me, was to sell me a new gas tank. I believe the tank should have a rubber cushion washer under the tank to prevent the tank from cracking and causing the leak. This is a poor design and potentially dangerous to anyone with this machine.
Showing 8 of 404 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to riding power lawn mowers on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are riding power lawn mowers?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, riding power lawn mowers have a danger score of 44/100 (moderate risk). An estimated 14,504 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from riding power lawn mowers?
The most common injury is strain, sprain to the lower trunk, accounting for approximately 16,874 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from riding power lawn mowers increasing or decreasing?
Stable over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for riding power lawn mowers injuries?
The 65-74 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 52,672 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by riding power lawn mowers?
Of all ER visits involving riding power lawn mowers, approximately 13.3% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (86.8%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with riding power lawn mowers?
You can file a consumer incident report at SaferProducts.gov, the official CPSC reporting portal. Reports help the CPSC identify emerging hazards and trigger investigations or recalls. You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
Related Products in Lawn & Garden Equipment
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 44/100 score as relative risk between products, not your personal odds of injury.
- See where this category ranks against every other tracked product. Full rankings
- Injuries cluster in the 65-74 age group, take extra care if that describes your household.
- Check for active recalls on this product before you assume it is safe. CPSC recalls
NEISS estimates ER-treated injuries from a national probability sample of hospitals; they do not capture injuries treated elsewhere or not treated at all.
Data: CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the CPSC.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, scored, and verified.
