About 1,800 Excel Industries LED Light Kits Recalled Over Fire Hazard 2026

Roughly 1,800 accessory LED Light Kits sold for use on Hustler and BigDog ride-on mowers are being pulled from the market after the manufacturer confirmed the light bars can overheat or ignite while in use. Excel Industries LLC, based in Hesston, Kansas, announced the recall on August 27, 2026, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, warning that the defect poses a serious risk of fire-related injury to anyone operating an affected mower.

No injuries or incidents have been reported so far, but the CPSC and Excel Industries are urging owners not to wait for something to go wrong before acting. The recall was also announced in Canada, reflecting the cross-border reach of the affected accessory.

Products Affected by This Recall

The recall covers accessory LED Light Kits designed to attach to the front footrest of Hustler or BigDog ride-on mowers, functioning as headlights. Each kit includes a black or yellow steel mounting bracket and two clear plastic LED Light Bars, each measuring 6 inches wide and 3/4 of an inch tall. The light bars are wired with a white and a black wire connected through an orange plug.

These were sold as standalone accessories rather than factory-installed equipment, meaning they could be added to compatible mowers after purchase.

What Went Wrong?

According to Excel Industries, the LED Light Bars included in the kit can overheat during normal use. In some cases, this overheating can progress to the point of producing flames. Because the light kit sits at the front of the mower near the operator, an overheating or burning unit creates a direct fire hazard risk for the person driving the machine, as well as potential damage to the mower itself.

The company has not detailed a root cause publicly, but the hazard description makes clear that heat buildup within the light bar assembly is the central concern driving the recall.

Where Were These Products Sold?

The LED Light Kits were sold at Hustler and BigDog dealerships nationwide, as well as online through the companies’ own accessory pages. They were available from April 2020 through July 2026, priced between $180 and $330 per kit. Given that six-year sales window, the roughly 1,800 units affected represent a relatively small but potentially widespread population of mowers now fitted with the recalled lights.

What Should You Do?

Anyone who owns one of these accessory LED Light Kits should stop using it immediately. Excel Industries says the light kit should be removed from the mower right away, and consumers have the option of taking the mower to their local Hustler or BigDog dealer for removal, or removing it themselves at home if they are comfortable doing so.

Once removed, consumers should return the light kit to their point-of-sale dealer to receive a full refund. Those with questions can contact Excel Industries directly.

• Stop using the LED Light Kit immediately
• Remove it from the mower at a dealer or at home
• Return the kit to the point-of-sale dealer for a refund
• Call Excel Industries toll-free at 888-848-6038, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
• Email safetyadvisory@sbdinc.com or visit www.hustlerturf.com/product-recall or www.bigdogmowerco.com/product-recall

What the Company/Agency Said

The CPSC’s recall notice, filed as a Fast Track Recall under number 26-722, states plainly that ‘the light bars can overheat or produce flames, posing a risk of serious injury from a fire hazard.’ The agency notes that no incidents or injuries have been reported to date, but that the recall was issued out of caution given the severity of a potential fire while a mower is in use.

Consumers can also find recall updates by visiting www.hustlerturf.com and selecting ‘Service & Parts’ followed by ‘Product Recalls’ from the drop-down menu.