Harbor Freight Recalls 1.7 Million Jack Stands Which Could Unexpectedly Collapse

Federal safety officials are urging consumer to stop using 1.7 million Harbor Freight 3-ton and 6-ton jacks stands immediately, due to a risk that stands may suddenly collapse while holding up a vehicle, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

Harbor Freight and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Harbor Freight jack stand recall on March 20, indicating that the jacks may collapse suddenly due to being manufactured improperly by an outdated piece of machinery. To date, NHTSA officials indicate they have received 11 injury reports linked to incidents of the stands collapsing.

Officials indicate aging of production tooling caused inconsistencies in the engagement of the ratchet teeth in certain units. This means the pawl that engages with the toothed height-adjustable part of the stand may fail to lock in place properly, which could allow the jack to collapse when bumped or hit, possibly resulting in serious injury to people near or under a lifted vehicle.

The recall includes approximately 1.7 million Pittsburg Automotive 3-Ton and 6-Ton heavy duty steel jack stands manufactured by Harbor Freight Tools of Calabasas, California. The stands are marked with model numbers 56371, 61196, and 61197 and were distributed for sale to Harbor Freight stores nationwide.

Customers are being urged to stop using the recalled jack stands immediately and to contact their local Harbor Freight store to arrange a return. Harbor Freight announced that the return process will begin when state orders allow the stores to reopen. Customers will be reimbursed with a store gift card for the current shelf price of a comparable stand model.

Customers seeking more information can send an email to recall@harborfreight.com.