Milwaukee Electric Tool 1/2" drills and DEWALT 1/2" Stud & Joist Drills
CPSC Recall #01-150 — May 9, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-150 |
| Recall Date | May 9, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 58,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Home center and hardware stores |
| industrial tool distributors |
| and factory service dealers sold these drills with the Eaton switches nationwide from May 2000 to April 2001 for between $300 and $555. |
Product
Milwaukee Electric Tool 1/2" drills and DEWALT 1/2" Stud & Joist Drills
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., of Brookfield, Wis., and DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., of Baltimore, Md., are recalling about 58,000 electric drills. The switches on these power tools, which were manufactured by Eaton Corp., of Cleveland, Ohio, can stick. The drills can continue to operate after the trigger is released, posing a risk of injury to consumers.Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. has received four reports of drill switches sticking in the on position and one report of a hand injury. DEWALT has received three reports of drill switches sticking in the on position but no reported injuries.The drills were sold under the brand names, Milwaukee Electric Tool 1/2" drills and DEWALT 1/2" Stud & Joist Drills. The following chart lists the 1/2" drills included in this recall: Tool ManufacturerModel Numbers of Recalled ToolsSerial Numbers or Date Codes of Recalled ToolsRecall Hotline NumberMilwaukee Electric Tool Corp.1610-11630-11670-11675-1Serial Numbers:700B400200013 to 700B400480097718B400230057 to 718B400480118472B400200061 to 472B400440188413B400190567 to 413B400522000(866) 473-22888 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through FridayDEWALT Industrial Tool Co.DW124 or DW124KDate Codes:0021 through 0110(800) 433-92588 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through SaturdayThe model number and serial number/date code are written on an identification plate attached to the drill or stamped into the drill body.Home center and hardware stores, industrial tool distributors, and factory service dealers sold these drills with the Eaton switches nationwide from May 2000 to April 2001 for between $300 and $555.Consumers should stop using these drills immediately and contact the tool manufacturer to receive a free tool repair.
Hazard
The drills can continue to operate after the trigger is released, posing a risk of injury to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. has received four reports of drill switches sticking in the on position and one report of a hand injury. DEWALT has received three reports of drill switches sticking in the on position but no reported injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these drills immediately and contact the tool manufacturer to receive a free tool 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.