Greenworks, Powerworks Pressure Washer Spray Gun Recall

May 18, 2023

The spray guns, used on many pressure washers, can detach, posing a hazard

Hongkong Sun Rise Trading, the parent company of brands including Greenworks and Powerworks, has recalled more than 1 million pressure washer spray guns. The spray guns were included with 10 pressure washer models sold under the Greenworks and Powerworks brand names. The spray guns were also sold as aftermarket attachments for use with a variety of pressure washers.

The spray gun connector can break, causing the hose and/or connector parts to become dislodged, posing a hazard to users. Hongkong Sun Rise Trading has received 15 reports of the spray gun connector breaking, resulting in 13 injuries. Seven of these injuries required medical attention for broken bones, injuries to the mouth and eyes, or concussion, according to the release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall applies to the aftermarket spray gun as well as to 10 pressure washer models; the full list can be viewed below. Consumer Reports has tested two of these pressure washers: the Greenworks GPW1600 and Greenworks GPW1702. Our experts did not experience the defect described by the CPSC during the course of our testing.

The recall: About 1.06 million plastic pressure washer spray guns sold under the Greenworks and Powerworks names. The defective spray guns were sold as an aftermarket attachment with the model number 5202002.

The spray guns were also included with pressure washers with the following model names and numbers: Greenworks GPW1500, Greenworks GPW1501, Greenworks GPW1600, Greenworks GPW1602, Greenworks GPW1702, Greenworks GPW1704, Greenworks GPW1800, Greenworks GPW1803, Powerworks PWA101, and Powerworks PWA104.

The recalled pressure washers have the model number printed on the back of the tool, near the top. The recalled spray guns have either "Greenworks" or "Powerworks" printed on the side of the gun. Additionally, when the gun is removed from the hose, the recalled spray guns feature a plastic connector instead of a metal connector.

The risk: The spray gun connector can break, causing the hose and/or parts of the connector to dislodge during use, posing an impact injury to the user if any broken pieces are fired as projectiles after breaking loose.

Incidents/injuries: Hongkong Sun Rise Trading has received 15 reports of incidents and 13 reports of injuries, seven of which were serious enough to require medical attention.

Where and when sold: The pressure washers and aftermarket spray gun were sold at Lowe's stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com, Amazon.com, and other online retailers from January 2017 through February 2021. The plastic spray gun accessory kit was sold for about $40, and the pressure washers were sold for between $100 and $180.

The remedy: Stop using the recalled pressure washer and/or spray gun immediately and contact Hongkong Sun Rise Trading for a free replacement spray gun handle.

Contact information: Call Hongkong Sun Rise Trading at 833-211-9185 or go to the Important Safety Notices page on the Greenworks website.

Report a defective product: Call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 or go to saferproducts.gov.

Paul Hope

As a classically trained chef and an enthusiastic DIYer, I've always valued having the best tool for a job—whether the task at hand is dicing onions for mirepoix or hanging drywall. When I'm not writing about home products, I can be found putting them to the test, often with help from my two young children, in the 1860s townhouse I'm restoring in my free time.