The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·13047·Announced 2012-11-27

Harbor Freight Recalls Cordless Drills Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling about 108,000 cordless drills because the trigger switch can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire and burn hazard with one reported minor injury, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has been reported but is not severe.

Plain-English summary

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling approximately 108,000 cordless drills, model number 96526, due to a fire and burn hazard. The black trigger switch on the 19.2v cordless drill can overheat, which poses a risk of fire and burns to consumers.

The recalled drills are blue and black with a black trigger switch and a 19.2v rechargeable battery pack. The model number is located on a yellow label on the left side of the drill, and "Made in China" appears on a yellow warning sticker on the right side. Harbor Freight Tools has received one report of a drill overheating and burning through the handle, resulting in a minor injury to a consumer.

The drills were sold at Harbor Freight Tools stores nationwide, via catalog, and online at www.harborfreight.com from April 2008 through May 2012 for between $27 and $30. Consumers should stop using the recalled drill immediately, remove the rechargeable battery, and contact Harbor Freight Tools to receive a free replacement drill. For more information, consumers can call (800) 444-3353 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or email [email protected].

The recalled product

Product
Cordless Drill
Manufacturer
Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard
Affected units
108,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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