A gas generator sold at Costco warehouses across the country is being pulled back over a serious fire and burn hazard, and owners need to know exactly what to do right now.
Generac has issued a recall on its GP9200E Gas Generator, model number 1652818, after the company identified a dangerous defect that can cause fuel to leak when the unit is first filled with gasoline. According to Generac, that leak comes from the carburetor and creates a very real risk of fire, severe burns, or even death.
What's Actually Going Wrong
The problem happens specifically at the moment a new owner fills the tank for the first time. Gasoline can escape from the carburetor before the engine ever runs, and with fuel and ignition sources in close proximity, that's a situation that can go sideways fast. This isn't a minor inconvenience — Generac's own language in the recall letter describes it as "a serious risk of injury or death from fire or burn hazard."
The good news, if there is any, is that the danger appears to be concentrated in that initial fueling moment. Generac has stated that members whose generators have already been filled with enough gas to move the fuel gauge off "E" — or who have run the unit without any leakage occurring — can continue using their equipment. But for anyone who bought this generator and hasn't touched it yet, or who noticed fuel leaking when they first filled it up, the machine needs to stop being used immediately.
Who Is Affected
The recall covers GP9200E generators sold at Costco between May 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026. Not every unit in that sales window is necessarily defective — the recall is tied to a specific range of serial numbers, running from 3016786070 to 3016788388.
Owners can check whether their unit falls within that range by visiting Generac's recall page directly at generac.com/about/recalls/GP-Carburetor. It's a straightforward lookup, and given what's at stake, it's worth taking two minutes to do it.
What Owners Should Do
Costco members who own one of these generators have a couple of options depending on their situation.
For anyone whose unit has leaked fuel or has never been filled at all, the immediate step is to stop using it and contact a Generac dealer. The company is offering a free repair through its dealer network, so there's no cost to the owner to get the problem fixed. Alternatively, the generator can be returned directly to any Costco warehouse location for a full refund.
Generac's customer service line for recall inquiries is 800-396-9951, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. The company's website also has a dedicated recall page — generac.com/about/recalls/GP-Carburetor — or owners can go to the main generac.com site and look for the "Important Recall Information" link.
Why This Matters More Than Most Recalls
Generator recalls don't always make headlines, but this one deserves attention. The GP9200E is a heavy-duty unit — 9,200 watts puts it firmly in the serious backup power category, the kind of machine someone pulls out when a major storm knocks out power for days at a time. These aren't novelty items. People who own this generator likely bought it precisely because they want to be prepared when things go wrong.
The cruel irony of this particular defect is that the hazard kicks in during what should be the safest moment — the very first time the machine gets used. Someone in the middle of a power outage, maybe working in the dark, maybe under stress, fills up a brand new generator and suddenly has a fuel leak on their hands near an ignition source. That's a scenario with no good outcomes.
Generator safety in general requires attention even under normal circumstances. Fuel, exhaust, and electrical output all demand respect. A defect that introduces a fire risk before the machine even runs adds a layer of danger that no owner signed up for.
The Bigger Picture on Generator Recalls
This isn't the first time a major generator brand has had to issue a recall, and it won't be the last. The power equipment category sees a steady stream of safety actions each year, covering everything from fuel system issues to carbon monoxide hazards. What's notable about this one is the scope — Costco moves significant volume, and a product sold over roughly a nine-month window at warehouses nationwide means a meaningful number of these units are sitting in garages and sheds across the country right now.
For anyone who has been holding onto a backup generator without ever going through the startup process, this is a reminder that it's worth verifying the safety status of equipment before the moment you actually need it. Emergencies have a way of turning into bigger emergencies when equipment fails under pressure.
Anyone with questions about the recall or their specific unit should reach out to Generac directly and not wait. The repair is free, the return process is straightforward, and the alternative — ignoring it — isn't worth considering.
