The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·25371·Announced 2025-07-03

Positec Chainsaws and Pole Saws Recalled Due to Failing Switch

Positec recalls approximately 49,000 Hyper Tough, Worx, and Portland chainsaws and pole saws. A defective power switch can fail to stop the saw, creating a laceration hazard. No injuries reported.

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: No injuries or deaths have been reported. However, the defect involves a critical safety failure—the power switch can fail to stop a high-risk power tool—that directly creates a serious laceration hazard. This qualifies as a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, warranting a High severity score per the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Positec Tool Corporation is recalling approximately 49,000 electric corded chainsaws and pole saws distributed under the Hyper Tough, Worx, and Portland brand names. The recalled models include the Hyper Tough 9 Amp Electric Corded 14" Chainsaw, Worx 8 Amp 14" Electric Chainsaw, Worx 8 Amp Electric Pole Saw, and Portland 9 Amp 14" Chainsaw.

The main power switch on these tools can fail, allowing the saws to continue running even when the user releases the switch. This defect creates a risk of laceration injury. No injuries have been reported as of the recall date.

The recalled products were sold from September 2024 through March 2025 for $50 to $120 at Walmart stores and Walmart.com (Hyper Tough brand), Harbor Freight stores and HarborFreight.com (Portland brand), and Worx.com and Amazon.com (Worx brand). Approximately 3,000 additional units were sold in Canada.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products. Positec will provide free replacement chainsaws or pole saws and cover return shipping costs. Consumers should contact Positec for a prepaid return shipping label and to arrange their free replacement.

The recalled product

Product
Hyper Tough, Worx and Portland Chainsaws and Pole Saws
Manufacturer
Positec Tool Corporation, of Charlotte, North Carolina
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard
  • laceration
  • switch-failure
Affected units
49,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same category