Kobalt brand 40-volt Lithium Ion 8-inch Cordless Electric Pole Saws
CPSC Recall #20-192 — September 23, 2020
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 20-192 |
| Recall Date | September 23, 2020 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 106,400 (In addition, 120 in Canada) |
| Manufacturer | Changzhou Globe Co. Ltd., of China |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Lowe’s Stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com from March 2017 through October 2019 for about $180. |
Product
Kobalt brand 40-volt Lithium Ion 8-inch Cordless Electric Pole Saws
Description
This recall involves Kobalt brand 40-volt lithium ion 8-inch cordless electric pole saws manufactured from January 2017 through February 2019. Date codes from 01/01/17 to 02/28/19 are included in the recall. The item number and date code are printed on the side of the guide bar near the oil cap. Kobalt is printed on the side of the unit.Item NumberDescription796791Kobalt 49v 2.5AH Pole Saw1083769Kobalt 40v Pole Saw Bare Tool97080140v Pole Hedge Saw Combo Kit812419SOS Kobalt 40v Pole Saw812424SOS Kobalt 40v Pole Saw Tool Only
Hazard
The switch on the recalled pole saws can fail while under a heavy load, and cause the unit to continue running after the user releases the trigger, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Hongkong Sun Rise Trading has received 65 reports of the saws continuing to run. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pole saws and contact Hongkong Sun Rise Trading for a free repair.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.