MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
I have 4 that look like the gray ones but have a different parts number. I've had them about around 7-8 years I'd guess.
Harbor Freight jack stand recall
- Thread starter freedom_in_4low
- Start date
Neal
TJ Enthusiast
Looks like I lucked out (can that really be said of ANY HF product?). Mine are p/n 69596. Never had any issues with them.
I was about to pick up some HF 6 ton jack stands last year but they seemed pretty much the same as my craftsman 3 ton jack stands that i got 13 years ago, made in usa.
So I got summit brand 6 ton jack stands and they dwarf the HF 6 ton jack stands and my 3 ton craftsman dealies. The steel is thicker guage too.
I guess 6 chinese tons = 3 us tons.
Ok, so let me get this straight. HF is selling 3 ton jack stands labeled as 6 ton jack stands.....aaaand the lock is prone to failure as well.
Oh, HF, say it ain't so.
So I got summit brand 6 ton jack stands and they dwarf the HF 6 ton jack stands and my 3 ton craftsman dealies. The steel is thicker guage too.
I guess 6 chinese tons = 3 us tons.
Ok, so let me get this straight. HF is selling 3 ton jack stands labeled as 6 ton jack stands.....aaaand the lock is prone to failure as well.
Oh, HF, say it ain't so.
I could be wrong, but thus far it seems that the only reference anywhere to claims that HF selling 3 ton jack stands labeled as 6 ton jack stands is post #24 of this thread.
That's how Internet myths and fake news stories get started.
Its bad enough that there is apparently a recall of one of HF's most popular products that HF is reluctant to or won't acknowledge to its customers. My local HF didn't know anything about a recall as of Sunday.
Unfortunately, I can't find part numbers stamped into my HF 6 ton jack stands and the labels are long gone. I don't know whether I have good ones or defects.
That's how Internet myths and fake news stories get started.
Its bad enough that there is apparently a recall of one of HF's most popular products that HF is reluctant to or won't acknowledge to its customers. My local HF didn't know anything about a recall as of Sunday.
Unfortunately, I can't find part numbers stamped into my HF 6 ton jack stands and the labels are long gone. I don't know whether I have good ones or defects.
I have not seen any 6 ton HF stands that look any smaller than the common 6 ton stands sold everywhere else.
My craftsman 3 ton stands are much smaller than what HF sells as 6 tons.
My grey ones from about 4 years ago are a different part number despite looking like the stands in question. I suspect these part numbers change periodically and could be similar to batches.
My craftsman 3 ton were literally less that 1 inch shorter that what HF was selling as 6 ton stands. That's why I passed on buying them, spent a little more for summit brand.
Maybe the HF stands were a different model. Made in china or India, mislabeled, who knows, who cares.
The point is, harbor freight is a buyer and rebrander. They dont manufacture nor are they involve with qc at the factory. They simply buy and relabel.
Purchasing tools there is 100% hit or miss. I cant ever recommend to someone HF (pittsburgh)tools the way I used to craftsman(now made in china crap btw), but I will say you may find few tools that barely meet basic standards at dirt cheap prices. Most of what is on their shelves is trash tbh. Worthy of going straight to the scrap heap.
I'm not surprised one bit that something as simply designed as a jackstand would be recalled. 99% of everything else they sell is junk. It's just that when a wrench fails you get a rounded fastener, big deal. Should have bought better tools dummy. When a car crushes you, you sue.
Here is a copy of an email I received from Harbor Freight on how to handle this:
May 19, 2020
NHTSA Campaign I.D. Numbers: 20E-016 and 20E-027
Dear Sir or Madam,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Harbor Freight Tools (“HFT”) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in certain Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands (models 61196 or 56371) and 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands (model 61197). Our records reflect that you purchased at least one of these pairs of Jack Stands.
What is the Condition?
For certain units of the Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton and 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands there is a potential, while under load and with a shift in weight, for the pawl to disengage from the extension lifting post, allowing the stand to drop suddenly. This condition could cause serious injury for people near or under a lifted vehicle, and/or damage to property. As a precautionary measure, we request that you discontinue use of the jack stand(s) identified below immediately.
Jack Stands included in this recall campaign include:
No other Item Numbers are involved in this recall. The 61196 and 61197 jack stands can be identified by checking the item number found on the yellow part of the label on the base of each jack stand.
The 56371 jack stands can be identified by checking the item number found on the label on the top of each jack stand.
What will Harbor Freight Tools do?
To all customers who participate in the Recall by returning their pairs of 3 Ton or 6 Ton Jack Stands item numbers 56371, 61196, and/or 61197, Harbor Freight Tools will provide a gift card equal to the retail price of the jack stands you originally purchased. Along with providing the gift card equal to the retail price of the jack stands you originally purchased, Harbor Freight Tools is providing a 20% one-time use coupon; see bottom of this notification. This coupon may be used toward the purchase of new jack stands, or toward the purchase of any other item in the store not subject to the coupon limitations. To use, customers must hand the coupon to the store cashier to scan.
What should you do?
Following the lifting of any applicable “Shelter At Home Orders”, please bring your 3 Ton and/or 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands, item numbers 56371, 61196, or 61197, to your local Harbor Freight Tools store to receive a Harbor Freight Tools gift card equal to the retail price of the jack stands you originally purchased (plus applicable tax). You do NOT need to provide a receipt; you only need to return your pair of Jack Stands. Directions to your nearest Harbor Freight Tools store can be found on our website at www.harborfreight.com.
Customer Service Help:
If you believe that you returned your jack stands and the store failed to provide you with a gift card within a reasonable period of time, please contact:
[email protected]
Harbor Freight Tools
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 6010
Camarillo, CA 93011-6010
800-444-3353
If you still believe that HFT failed to remedy the issue described above without charge and within 60 days of the date of this notice, you may file a complaint with:
Thank you for being a Harbor Freight Tools customer.
We regret this inconvenience but hope you understand that our concern for your safety is paramount.
Sincerely,
Harbor Freight Tools
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
May 19, 2020
NHTSA Campaign I.D. Numbers: 20E-016 and 20E-027
Dear Sir or Madam,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Harbor Freight Tools (“HFT”) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in certain Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands (models 61196 or 56371) and 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands (model 61197). Our records reflect that you purchased at least one of these pairs of Jack Stands.
What is the Condition?
For certain units of the Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton and 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands there is a potential, while under load and with a shift in weight, for the pawl to disengage from the extension lifting post, allowing the stand to drop suddenly. This condition could cause serious injury for people near or under a lifted vehicle, and/or damage to property. As a precautionary measure, we request that you discontinue use of the jack stand(s) identified below immediately.
Jack Stands included in this recall campaign include:
| Item Number | Item Description | Sale Date Range |
61196 | Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stand | January 2013 to March 2020 |
56371 | Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stand | March 2020 to April 2020 |
61197 | Pittsburgh Automotive 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stand | June 2013 to March 2020 |
|
|
What will Harbor Freight Tools do?
To all customers who participate in the Recall by returning their pairs of 3 Ton or 6 Ton Jack Stands item numbers 56371, 61196, and/or 61197, Harbor Freight Tools will provide a gift card equal to the retail price of the jack stands you originally purchased. Along with providing the gift card equal to the retail price of the jack stands you originally purchased, Harbor Freight Tools is providing a 20% one-time use coupon; see bottom of this notification. This coupon may be used toward the purchase of new jack stands, or toward the purchase of any other item in the store not subject to the coupon limitations. To use, customers must hand the coupon to the store cashier to scan.
What should you do?
Following the lifting of any applicable “Shelter At Home Orders”, please bring your 3 Ton and/or 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands, item numbers 56371, 61196, or 61197, to your local Harbor Freight Tools store to receive a Harbor Freight Tools gift card equal to the retail price of the jack stands you originally purchased (plus applicable tax). You do NOT need to provide a receipt; you only need to return your pair of Jack Stands. Directions to your nearest Harbor Freight Tools store can be found on our website at www.harborfreight.com.
Customer Service Help:
If you believe that you returned your jack stands and the store failed to provide you with a gift card within a reasonable period of time, please contact:
[email protected]
Harbor Freight Tools
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 6010
Camarillo, CA 93011-6010
800-444-3353
If you still believe that HFT failed to remedy the issue described above without charge and within 60 days of the date of this notice, you may file a complaint with:
Or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.safercar.gov
Thank you for being a Harbor Freight Tools customer.
We regret this inconvenience but hope you understand that our concern for your safety is paramount.
Sincerely,
Harbor Freight Tools
They are out of stock here due to the recall. Store manager said they are have a bunch coming in soon though.
I was going to buy these but went for the Pro-Lift with the locking pin. Three tons from Home Depot were about $30. I like the added security of having the locking pin.
Swell. I have four recalled 3-ton jack stands and four 6-ton with nothing left of the labels so I can't tell whether they are the recalled # 61197.
I think I'll try to return all eight, labels or not.
I think I'll try to return all eight, labels or not.
fourpointzero
TJ Addict
I don't have the model numbers listed here, but I do have a pair of 3 ton Pittsburghs and I used them when dropping my fuel tank. Believe me when I say, I questioned how safe they were before any word of a recall!
Is it just me or is it funny that they discretely mention buying more jack stands from them in the SAME message telling you that the other ones got recalled for a serious safety issue?
I just returned mine and picked up the replacement models. Much, much better! If you did any research on the internet, the old ones already had a questionable reputation for some suspect teeth and people often bought 2-3 boxes just to find two good ones and then returned the rest. The quality control on the replacement models seems to be much better, no jacked up teeth on mine. Use the 20% off coupon and they come out to $32 so that gives you another $8 (free money because you get $40 credit for the old ones) to spend on other stuff in the store. I picked up a little magnetic mig torch holder, which ended up only costing me $3 out of pocket.
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