Woman's riding lawnmower catches, ABC11 Troubleshooter helps get her a new John Deere mower

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Garner woman says her riding lawn mower caught fire while she was cutting grass, and despite the mower still being under warranty, her claim was initially denied.

Michelle Diaz says she was using her John Deere riding lawn mower in November when it suddenly shut off. "I heard a click, and there was a puff of smoke that came out of the front, and then flames started shooting out," Diaz said.

Diaz and her family quickly grabbed a hose and managed to put out the fire before it could spread further. Months later, the damage is still visible. Melted wiring, damaged components, and even a partially melted tire remain on the mower. Because the mower was less than a year old and still covered by a one-year warranty, Diaz filed a claim with John Deere.

"They didn't have anybody come out and inspect it or look at the lawn mower. They just went off of my pictures," Diaz said.

John Deere denied the claim, stating in a letter that it did not find any defect in materials or workmanship that would qualify for warranty coverage. The company noted that Diaz could provide additional documentation, hire a certified fire investigator at her own expense, or submit a claim through her insurance company. If evidence showed a manufacturing defect caused the fire, John Deere said it would review the case.

Frustrated with the response and left without a working mower, Diaz contacted ABC11 Troubleshooter Diane Wilson.

"We currently have a landscaping company coming and cutting the lawn every two weeks when we could just be doing it ourselves instead of paying someone," Diaz said.

After Troubleshooter reached out to John Deere, a company representative said they would arrange for an employee to visit Diaz's home, inspect the mower in person, and gather additional information. Not long after that visit, Diaz received good news.

She said John Deere agreed to replace the lawn mower, and a new mower was delivered to her home. Diaz says she is happy with the outcome and grateful that the issue was resolved.

John Deere did not provide additional comment but thanked ABC11 for sharing Diaz's case with the company.

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