PSA RECALL on 6-Ton Jack Stands from Harbor Freight

I bought two pair of jack stands from Costco over 25 years ago that were US made. There were plenty of chinese ones for less but I wanted US. I'm still using them and they still work fine. I completely trust them. They're extremely sturdy and don't claim some outrageous capacity like the HF ones pictured earlier.

 

Exchanged. The lady didn't even offer me credit she just said go get the newer models they came out with lol

Thing with jack stands, or any other thing I have holding up weight, I always have another item backing up the effort (ie. a jack, another stand, 4x4s, 2x4s). If a stand fails i'm not getting crushed

 

How did the recall get announced? I rarely buy anything but I did sign up to get emails from them and there was nothing in them lately about any recalls.

 

Same. Fact is, all the stories I see about the recall are 3rd party sources lol.

 

It's on HF's website & new websites, too.

 

Yeah but how often does someone visit those pages. HF was sending out emails about Covid so they could have just as easily sent out emails about recalls.

 

I have a set of the 6 ton 61197 model. Been using for about 4 years. Feeling a little more lucky now than a few minutes ago...geez. The article I saw didn't mention there was a replacement available, only refund. Not sure I want another pair of HF stands tho.

 

I agree, you definitely have to dig for it in their site. But their covid emails brings in good press and money b/c people feel safer to shop there.
An email on a huge recall like this one would hurt business cause people won’t feel good about the safety of their products. It’s all about the moolah.

 

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

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 .

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:

Recalls@HarborFreight.com

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:

Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590

Or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to 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

 

Here are the "new" stands

 

I really cant complain much about harbor freight stuff. I have a few floor jacks and some tools here and there from them. Haven't had a problem. I appreciate nice tols but I can't be a tool snob, I grew up using rusty old shit tools so to me HF isn't so bad.

They have their place, and maybe holding a car up isn't it. Like Tex said I always have backup under the car.

 

Amen. I grew up using hand me down Craftsman stuff and while one could argue the older Craftsman line was bona-fide, it wasn't and never will be Snap-On or Matco (even though I've got a Craftsman socket wrench that has outlasted a Snap-On). Tools are only as safe as you use them and that goes for any name brand

 

I have a set of 3-ton stands that aren’t in the recall but you bet I’ll be there tomorrow to return them anyhow. (Or try)

 

I need to check mine to see what models I own

 

I was sleuthing the interwebs for floor jack info & came across this photo. I was going to say "I don't understand what goes through people's mind sometimes" in this post. But on second thought, I think *nothing* goes through people's mind sometimes. I'm dumbfounded.

 

I have used my heavy orange ones for 15 years, never a single issue. I think I'll keep those, but I do have a pair of the grey, smaller ones that I am taking back for sure.

 

Safer than HF jack stands I guess.

 

Stopped in to return my 3 ton ones. Guess you can swap them for the red ones if your store lets. Manager said store x store decision. They'll swap out if you want to. Keep the customer happy. I took the credit since I don't use the 3 tons anymore.

 

These are jack stands I bought from Costco years ago. I have two pairs. Made in USA, 5 ton capacity and they look it. They even have serial numbers. Never had an issue with them and I still trust and them.
They don't make them anymore but you can still find them on CL. Probably cheaper than HF's and definitely safer.

 

hey guys new member here,
just when i was prepping myself to start doing my own oil changes while searching for quality stands i run into this thread lol...anyone have any recommendations on quality floor jack and jack stands? is 6 ton stands enough for stock tundra? anyone have any suggestions on proper place for jack stands while doing oil change? thanks guys sorry for rambling on im complete noob

 

3 tons are more than adequate. You aren't supporting the full weight of the truck on a stand. Proper placement of a stand? Try this thread.

Welcome!

 

Yep 3 tons def enough as Charles said. I went 6 tons anyway because big.
I went with U.S. Jack Company for my stands. 100% made in USA. You’ll feel it in your wallet, but for something that I’m trusting my life to, I’m not counting pennies. $250 for two 6-ton stands on Amazon. Owie.

 

THE DRIVE just released an article about the new replacement HF jack stands

https://www.thedrive.com/news/34038/harbor-freight-customers-replacement-jack-stands-immediately-failed-too

 

Whoops. Didn't see the most recent post.

 

Suddenly $250 for my new stands doesn't bother me.

 

Which ones did you go with?

 

U.S. Jack Company. 6 ton

 

I paid $250 shipped from Amazon (ooo now). Just found them cheaper. $190 shipped (to me,anyway) at Southern Tool.

https://www.southern-tool.com/store/usjack-jack-stands.php