An older model Ryobi cordless drill has just been recalled. Sold at Home Depot from January 2001 to July 2003, drill model HP 1802M is being recalled due to a flawed switch that can potantially overheat causing a fire and burn hazard.
If you have a drill that looks like the one shown above with model number HP 1802M indicated on the label, contact Ryobi customer service for a free replacement drill.
thanks for the notice. I need to go check mine. Mine is much newer but I will double check anyway
Wow. I am pretty sure I have this drill. Thank you.
Andrew, I’m eager to see what they send you as a replacement. It will probably be their current 18V NiCad model, but I’ll cross my fingers that you get their Li-ion edition. I imagine that the battery form factor changed in 7-10 years, so hopefully you get a new kit instead of just a bare-tool drill. I assume that by now your batteries are near-dead anyway.
the HP 1802M has always looked like a cheap version of the Ryobi p200 to me. Home Depot always seemed to offer these in kits on special over the years and I always passed due to the cheap looking black chuck, I guess the internals are a little different as well.
My 7 year old Ryobi batts can’t power a tool anymore but they still are good enough for the flashlight and radio.
I was mistaken I have the SA1802.
Battery life – whether you use the tool or not is the Achille’s heel of cordless tools – that may say something about the buy versus lease decision-making process if EV’s start to make it big in the auto market -it also says that the typical DIY’er may not want to buy a whole stable of cordless tools on the off chance that he or she will get their money’s worth over an extended period of time. I have 40+ year “locomotive” PC belt sanders still going strong – don’t think I’ll be able to say that about any of our current crop of cordless tools – just have to get value out of them over a shorter anticipated lifespan
Thanks for the heads up. I have this drill and will be calling for a replacement. I hope I get the Li-ion kit like you mentioned, but I won’t hold my breath.
Glad to help!
Just so you know, the recall is still alive and kickin. Thanks to this article, I’ve got a replacement (P204) coming. Too bad though, my HP1802M is working fine but my SA1802 smells like it’s burning up. Just me luck. : )
That’s good to hear, that your replacement is on the way, not the part about the other tool smelling like it’s burning.