Replacement lower blade guards for 12-inch Chicago Electric Miter Saws
CPSC Recall #23-729 — February 23, 2023
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 23-729 |
| Recall Date | February 23, 2023 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 7,175 |
| Importer | Harbor Freight Tools, of Calabasas, California |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Harbor Freight Tools’ parts service department from August 2019 through September 2022 for between $10 and $30. |
Product
Replacement lower blade guards for 12-inch Chicago Electric Miter Saws
Description
This recall involves replacement lower blade guards sold for Chicago Electric Power Tools brand 12-inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saws bearing item number 61970 and serial numbers less than 370331936. The saw’s item number and serial number are printed on the bottom of the saw’s warning label. The recalled lower blade guards are made of clear polycarbonate and gray polycarbonate with the words “Chicago Electric” stamped into the gray area. There is no serial number for the replacement guard. Only replacement guards, purchased during or after August 2019, are part of this recall.
Hazard
The recalled replacement lower blade guards do not sufficiently cover the saw blade and can break when making a cut, posing an injury hazard to the user.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received one report of the recalled replacement lower blade guard breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled replacement lower blade guards and contact Harbor Freight for a free lower guard assembly kit and installation instructions. Harbor Freight is contacting all known purchasers.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.