John Deere ZTrak Kawasaki Engine Recall: What Owners Should Know
Which John Deere ZTrak Z720E, Z730M, Z740R and Z760R mowers are covered, how to match your serial number, and how to get the free dealer repair, from the CPSC notice.
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The John Deere ZTrak Kawasaki engine recall covers about 39,000 ZTrak zero-turn mowers in the U.S. (plus about 2,600 in Canada): models Z720E, Z730M, Z740R and Z760R with Kawasaki engines, inside specific serial number ranges. The voltage regulator in the engine can fail, overheat the engine and start a fire. If your mower matches, stop using it and call an authorized John Deere dealer for a free repair.
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Every fact on this page comes from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall notice, recall number 25-083, published January 2, 2025, and checked again on October 7, 2026. If CPSC, Deere or Kawasaki change the details, their notices win over anything written here.
John Deere ZTrak Kawasaki engine recall at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | John Deere ZTrak zero-turn mowers with Kawasaki engines |
| Models | Z720E, Z730M, Z740R and Z760R, within listed serial ranges |
| Hazard | The engine voltage regulator can fail during use or in storage, overheating the engine: fire and burn hazards |
| Incidents reported | Five reports of fires and 26 reports of melting or smoking, no injuries |
| Units | About 39,000 in the U.S., plus about 2,600 in Canada |
| Sold | Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide, October 2018 through September 2024 |
| Recall date | January 2, 2025 (CPSC recall number 25-083) |
| Recalling firm | Kawasaki Motors USA (engine maker); Deere & Company is the distributor |
| Remedy | Stop using the mower and contact an authorized John Deere dealer for a free repair |
Kawasaki and John Deere told CPSC they are contacting all known purchasers directly. If you bought the mower used, or moved since you bought it, the letter may never reach you, so check the serial yourself.
Which ZTrak mowers are covered
CPSC lists a start and end serial number for each model. In the notice, four characters in the middle of each serial are shown as asterisks, so match the model prefix at the front and the six digits at the end.
| Model | Start serial | End serial |
|---|---|---|
| Z720E | 1TC720E****010001 | 1TC720E****080657 |
| Z730M | 1TC730M****010001 | 1TC730M****080574 |
| Z740R | 1TC740R****010001 | 1TC740R****080462 |
| Z760R | 1TC760R****080001 | 1TC760R****080339 |
Note that the Z760R range starts at 080001, not 010001 like the other three models. A Z760R with a lower number at the end is outside the range CPSC lists.
Step 1: find the serial number
John Deere calls it the product identification number. It starts with 1TC and then the model, for example 1TC730M. Your owner’s manual shows where the plate sits on your machine, and the dealer can also find it from your purchase records. Write the whole number down, all 17 characters.
Step 2: compare it with the table
Check that the first seven characters match your model, then compare the last six digits with the start and end numbers. If those six digits fall between the two numbers for your model, your mower is inside the recall range.
Step 3: confirm with Deere or a dealer
Because CPSC hides four characters, treat the table as a first check and let Deere confirm. Call Deere at 800-537-8233 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Saturday), use the recall information page under Parts and Service on deere.com, or ask any authorized John Deere dealer to run the serial.
What to do if your mower is recalled
Stop using it now
The CPSC notice says to stop using the mower immediately. That is the whole instruction for owners: do not try to diagnose or replace the voltage regulator yourself. The fix is a dealer repair.
Book the free repair
Contact an authorized John Deere dealer and give them the model and serial. The repair is free under the recall. Ask the dealer how long parts take and whether they pick up or you deliver; that varies by dealer.
Think about where it is parked
The notice says the regulator can fail while the mower is being stored, not only while it runs. Until the repair is done, ask your dealer how to store it safely, and keep fuel cans and other burnables away from the machine as you would for any gas mower.
Kawasaki contact
Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA also takes calls toll-free at 866-836-4463, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and lists the recall under Product Recalls on kawasakienginesusa.com.
What this recall does not cover
- ZTrak models other than the Z720E, Z730M, Z740R and Z760R.
- Those four models outside the serial ranges above.
- Other mower brands with Kawasaki engines. The CPSC notice names only these John Deere ZTrak mowers.
John Deere also had a separate ZTrak recall in February 2018 (CPSC 18-719) for a laceration hazard. That is a different issue with a different fix. If you own an older ZTrak, check the CPSC site for that one too.
If you are shopping for a zero-turn now
A recall is not a reason to write off a brand; it means the fix exists and the maker is tracking units. If you are buying used, ask the seller for the serial and check it against the table before you pay, and ask whether the recall repair was done. A dealer can confirm that from service records.
If you are comparing new machines, our best zero-turn mowers for 2 acres covers residential models, and the best commercial zero-turn mowers covers heavier gas machines with Kawasaki and Kohler V-twins. For a quiet battery option, see the best electric riding mowers. Browse every model in our zero-turn mower reviews.
Whatever you buy, register it with the maker. Registration is how a company reaches you when a recall like this one comes out.
Zero-turn safety while you wait
A zero-turn steers and brakes with its rear wheels, so traction on slopes, wet grass and the edges of ponds and ditches is the main risk once the engine fault is fixed. Never mow steeper than the maker’s maximum slope rating, wear the seat belt when a ROPS bar is up, carry no passengers, and keep children and pets out of the yard while you mow.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Which John Deere ZTrak mowers are recalled for Kawasaki engines?
The Z720E, Z730M, Z740R and Z760R with Kawasaki engines, within the serial ranges CPSC lists. They were sold at John Deere dealers from October 2018 through September 2024.
What is wrong with the recalled engines?
The voltage regulator can fail, which can make the engine overheat. CPSC says that poses fire and burn hazards, during use or while the mower is stored.
Is the repair free?
Yes. The CPSC notice lists the remedy as a free repair by an authorized John Deere dealer. Contact the dealer to book it.
Can I keep mowing until the dealer has parts?
No. CPSC tells owners to stop using the recalled mowers immediately. Ask the dealer about timing and how to store the mower until the repair.
Has anyone been hurt?
As of the CPSC notice, Kawasaki had five reports of fires and 26 reports of melting or smoking, and no injuries had been reported.
More mowing guides
- How to Check if Your Mower Is Recalled
- Spartan Mower Recall 2025 (SRT-XD, KGZ-XD): What Owners Should Know
- What Size Riding Mower Do I Need?
- Best Zero-Turn Mower for 2 Acres: 3 Picks by Deck Size
- Best Commercial Zero-Turn Mower: 4 Picks for 5 to 10 Acres
Source: CPSC recall 25-083.
