Harbor Freight Forced To Recall Replacement Jack Stands Due To Welding Defects

After recalling more than 1.7 million jack stands due to risks they may suddenly collapse while holding up a vehicle, Harbor Freight has discovered the stands offered to replace those covered by the initial recall may also fail, again putting consumers at risk of serious injury or death.

A Harbor Freight jack stand replacement recall was announced by the manufacturer this week, after determining replacement jack stands, offered as a safe alternative to the jacks initially recalled in May, could also fail to hold the weight of a vehicle.

In May 2020, Harbor Freight and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the Harbor Freight jack stand recall, indicating approximately 1.7 million Pittsburg Automotive 3-Ton and 6-Ton heavy duty steel jack stands may collapse suddenly due to being manufactured improperly by an outdated piece of machinery.

At that time, officials indicated aging production tools 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.

Prior to the initial jack recall, NHTSA officials indicated they had received 11 injury reports linked to the defect.

As part of the recall, Harbor Freight offered customers a store gift card for the current shelf price of a comparable 3-Ton and 6-Ton heavy duty steel jack stand. However, Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder, Eric Smidt, has now issued a new press release that indicates a second recall involving the Pittsburgh 3 ton steel jack stands with SKU# 56373, which were used as replacements for the previously recalled jack stands.

According to the recall announcement, Harbor Freight identified a welding defect in a small number of the replacement stands. The defect could cause the weld in the jack stand to split, allowing it to collapse suddenly and without warning.

Harbor Freight announced an investigation into all Pittsburgh 3 ton steel jack stands (SKUs 56371, 56372 and 57308) as well as the Pittsburgh 6 ton steel jack stands (SKUs 56368, 56369 and 56370) and Pittsburgh 12 ton steel jack stands (SKUs 56374 and 56375) has been completed and no defects were identified.

Although no defects have been found in these models, Harbor Freight has announced customers with concerns regarding non-recalled jack stands will be offered a full cash refund or store credit.

Customers in possession of the recalled jack stands are being asked to stop using them immediately and to return them to their local Harbor Freight store where they will also be offered a full cash refund or store credit.