Costco shoppers who picked up a Generac portable generator may want to take a closer look before the next power outage — because the unit sitting in their garage could be leaking fuel right now.
Federal safety regulators are zeroing in on a batch of Generac GP9200 gas-powered portable generators sold at Costco, following 114 reports of generator fuel leaks — a number that, while not yet tied to any injuries, has drawn enough concern to trigger a formal recall process. The affected units carry serial numbers ranging from 3016786070 through 3016788388 and were sold at Costco locations between May 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. If you bought one in that window, it’s worth checking.
Fuel Leaks, No Injuries — For Now
Here’s the thing about fuel leaks: they don’t announce themselves. They seep quietly, accumulate in enclosed spaces, and wait. The good news is that, as of this writing, none of the 114 documented incidents have resulted in injuries, according to reports covering the recall. That’s fortunate. But it’s also the kind of statistic that tends to change the longer a hazardous product stays in use.
The serial number window is relatively narrow, suggesting a contained manufacturing issue rather than a systemic design flaw across Generac’s entire product line. Still, with over a hundred fuel leak incidents already on the books, the urgency is real. Consumers who own one of these units are being urged to stop using the generator immediately and contact the manufacturer or Costco for remediation options.
A Familiar Pattern at Costco
Sound familiar? It should. This isn’t the first time a generator sold exclusively through Costco has landed in recall territory over a fuel hazard. Back in 2019, FIRMAN Power Equipment recalled roughly 19,000 of its P03615 portable generators — also sold exclusively at Costco — after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission flagged gas leaks stemming from a faulty carbon canister. That recall, documented by the CPSC, involved nine reports of gas leaks and, similarly, no injuries — a lucky outcome given that fire hazards were explicitly cited.
That’s two generator recalls tied to Costco in under a decade, both involving fuel leaks, both narrowly avoiding harm. Costco has long been a go-to destination for emergency preparedness gear — generators, water storage, bulk flashlights — which means the stakes are particularly high when something in that category goes sideways. People buy these machines precisely because they expect them to perform under pressure.
What Owners Should Do
So what’s the practical play here? First, locate the serial number on your unit and cross-reference it against the affected range: 3016786070 to 3016788388. If your generator falls within those digits, don’t fire it up. The recall covers sales through February 2026, meaning some of these units are essentially brand new — which makes the situation all the more frustrating for consumers who shelled out for a high-capacity machine and haven’t even had a chance to use it yet.
Details on the full scope of the recall — including return procedures and any replacement or refund options — are available through coverage tracking the Costco-Generac situation. Consumers can also reach out directly to Generac’s customer service or visit their local Costco warehouse for guidance.
The Bigger Picture
Portable generators occupy an odd space in the consumer safety landscape. They’re bought for emergencies, often stored for years, and then pressed into service during exactly the moments when people can least afford equipment failure — or worse, a fuel fire. The carbon monoxide risk from improper generator use is already well-documented. Adding fuel leakage to that equation isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a genuine hazard that compounds in close quarters.
Nobody’s been hurt yet. But the clock on “yet” is always ticking.
