Harbor Freight Chainsaws Didn’t Shut Off, Suit Says

Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc. sold more than one million chainsaws with defective power switches that kept them from shutting off, a new proposed class suit says.

Flawed switches on Portland, One Stop Gardens, and Chicago Electric 14-inch chainsaws were prone to malfunction, causing the chainsaw blade to continue running until operators disconnected the tools from the power source, plaintiffs Will Kaupelis and Frank Ortega allege.

“A chainsaw that takes on a life of its own by not turning off when necessary is extraordinarily dangerous,” the suit alleged.

The packaging specifically advertised the tools’ “Safety Lock-Out Switch,” conveying the impression ...