The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·16050·Announced 2015-12-01

Harbor Freight Recalls 1.7 Million Cordless Drills Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling about 1.7 million Drill Master 18-volt cordless drills because the internal switch can overheat, posing fire and burn risks.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves significant injury reports, specifically six reports of burns to the hands and fingers, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating.

Plain-English summary

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling approximately 1.7 million Drill Master 18-volt cordless drills, specifically item numbers 68239 and 68287. These drills are black with a red switch and were sold with an 18-volt rechargeable battery pack. Item number 68239 was sold individually, while item number 68287 was sold as a kit that included a flashlight; the flashlight is not part of the recall. The item number is located on a black label on the right side of the drill, just beneath the serial number. Drills with item numbers 69651 and 69652 are not included in this recall.

The recall is due to a defect in the internal switching mechanism, which can become stuck in the "on" position and overheat. This malfunction creates fire and burn hazards. Harbor Freight Tools has received 25 reports of the drill switch overheating, including six reports of burns to the hands and fingers and five reports of minor property damage.

The affected drills were sold at Harbor Freight Tools stores nationwide, through the company's catalog, and online at www.harborfreight.com between May 2011 and September 2015. Item number 68239 sold for about $35, and item number 68287 sold for about $46. The drills were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled drills and return the unit to the nearest Harbor Freight Tools store to receive a replacement drill. For more information, consumers can contact Harbor Freight Tools at 800-444-3353 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit www.harborfreight.com and click on Recall Safety Information under Customer Service. Consumers can also email [email protected].

The recalled product

Product
Drill Master 18-Volt Cordless Drills
Manufacturer
Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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