Located in Brookfield, Illinois, the company announced this recall on Thursday through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The affected items include the M18 FUEL top handle chainsaws equipped with either 12-inch or 14-inch bars. Additionally, around 7,500 of these chainsaws were distributed in Canada.

The recall was prompted after the company received reports indicating that the chain brake, a vital safety component, may not activate. Notably, one of the incidents led to a user sustaining a finger laceration. These reports were confirmed by the safety commission.

This defect concerns the chainsaw’s chain brake, which is intended to halt the chain’s motion during emergencies. A failure of this mechanism to engage significantly heightens the likelihood of laceration injuries for users.

The defect involves the chainsaw’s chain brake, a critical safety mechanism designed to stop the chain’s movement in emergency situations. When the brake fails to engage, users face an increased risk of laceration injuries.

The recalled chainsaws are identified by catalog number 2826-20 and have the letter “A” as the fourth digit in their serial numbers. Both the catalog and serial numbers can be found on the product’s nameplate. The serial number can be found on upper left portion of the nameplate.

Milwaukee Tool sold the chainsaws individually for about $350 or as kits with batteries and a charger for about $790. The products were available at Home Depot and other home improvement retailers, as well as online, from March 2023 through September 2024.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chainsaws and contact Milwaukee Tool for a free repair. Owners can register their products online to receive a prepaid shipping label to return the chainsaw for repair.

The chainsaws were manufactured in the United States by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. of Brookfield, Wisconsin.