Chicago Electric power saws
18 reports to CPSC, the latest made Oct 8, 2025. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 18reports to CPSC
- Oct 8, 2025the latest report was made
- Apr 2, 2012the earliest
- 3with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Chicago Electric
- Makers
- Harbor Freight Tools, CHICAGO ELECTRIC, DIV OF HARBORFREIGHT and HARBOR FREIGHT SALVAGE CO.Makers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Power sawsCPSC’s product type: Power Saws, Other or Not Specified (code 895), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Tools & Hardware
Other ways the reports write the brand (6)
“Chicago”, “Chicago Electric Power Tools”, “Chicago Connection Power Tools”, “Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight)”, “Chicago Electric Miter Saws” and “Chicago Electric Tools”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| October 2025 | 1 |
| June 2025 | 1 |
| November 2023 | 1 |
| October 2023 | 1 |
| June 2023 | 1 |
| August 2022 | 1 |
| August 2021 | 1 |
| July 2019 | 1 |
| April 2018 | 1 |
| August 2017 | 1 |
| July 2017 | 1 |
| January 2016 | 1 |
| November 2015 | 1 |
| September 2013 | 1 |
| February 2013 | 1 |
| November 2012 | 1 |
| April 2012 | 2 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- Hospital admission 1 CPSC: Injury, Hospital Admission
- Emergency room 1 CPSC: Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received
- Seen by a doctor or nurse 2 CPSC: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
- First aid 1 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
- Hurt, no treatment 2 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
- No one hurt 11 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Oct 8, 2025, sent to the company Oct 29, 2025, published by CPSC Nov 26, 2025
The product, in the report: 61970 Chicagp Electric Mitre Saw (Harbor Freight)
Mitre lower saw guard failed on Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) model 61970, serial# 370331712 - already recalled by CPSC. I contacted Harbor Freight and the rep told me the recall was for the replacement part, not the original, and they didn’t have anymore and didn’t know if they’d ever get any! Rediculus. The guard has no part number, while the saw does! The recall was for saws below serial#370331931, which mine is. Your recall function isn’t working during the shutdown so I’m telling you here.
- Model
- 61970
- Serial number
- 370331712
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight Daphne, AL 36526 800-444-3353
- Bought
- Apr 1, 2022, about then
- Where
- Daphne, Alabama: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 71, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Seen by a doctor or nurse Made Jun 2, 2025, sent to the company Jun 16, 2025, published by CPSC Jul 1, 2025
The product, in the report: Parts for a chicago 12 inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw, item 61970. Serial number: 370331803
Guard on a Chicogo Chop saw broke and injured an employee.
- Model
- Item number 61970
- Serial number
- 370331803
- Bought from
- Harbor Frieght in Mount Vernon, WA
- Bought
- Jun 18, 2018, about then
- Where
- Friday Harbor, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 46, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- No Relationship
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
-
No one hurt Made Nov 29, 2023, sent to the company Dec 4, 2023, published by CPSC Dec 18, 2023
The product, in the report: Harbor Freight 12” miter saw item # 61970
Operating Harbor Freight 12” Miter Saw Item 61970 when plastic guard broke at leftmost bolt support hole causing guard to drop on 2” pvc pipe being cut causing pipe to jam and shatter at cut. The bolt hole on the guard holding the support rod to the frame is approximately 1/2” from the edge of the plastic guard on the left side. The guard is extremely thin plastic and the plastic broke at the bolt opening. All of their newer miter saws have metal guards indicating they were aware of the faulty plastic part issue.
- Model
- Item 61070
- Serial number
- 370331614
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight
- Bought
- Jun 7, 2021
- Where
- Frederick, Maryland: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 64, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by HARBOR FREIGHT SALVAGE CO.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Oct 11, 2023, sent to the company Oct 24, 2023, published by CPSC Nov 7, 2023
The product, in the report: The product is a 12” miter saw with a sliding blade.
Harbour Freight Sliding Compound Miter Saw, item number 61970. The original blade guard jammed up and fell apart during use (while cutting something). No injuries to me other than scaring the [REDACTED] out of me and rendering the saw unsafe.
Apparently there is a recall (Recall [REDACTED] for [REDACTED] “replacement “ blade guards but not the original?
Why did [REDACTED] *REPLACEMENT* blade guards need to be purchased yet no recall on the original one? And how is the replacement blade guard different from the original one? Something does not seem right here...
- Model
- 61970
- Serial number
- 370331701
- Bought from
- harbour freight
- Bought
- Feb 20, 2019, about then
- Where
- Lake Worth, Florida: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 49, Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric Miter Saws, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 25, 2023, sent to the company Jun 27, 2023, published by CPSC Jul 12, 2023
The product, in the report: The product is a 12 inch Compound Mite saw with laser site. Model 98194. It is sold by Harbor Freight.
The locking pin housing on my 12 in. Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser Guide by Chicago Electric Power Tools has broken away from the body. This make it impossible to secure the blade when transporting the saw or when storing the saw. It prevent a potential safety issue. Housing is made of cast aluminum.
- Model
- 98194
- Bought from
- HARBOR FREIGHT (SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS), Texas
- Bought
- May 13, 2020, about then
- Where
- Friendswood, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Aug 18, 2022, sent to the company Aug 23, 2022, published by CPSC Sep 7, 2022
The product, in the report: 10” Compound Slide Mitre Saw
Blade Brake on mitre saw no longer works. Chicago Electric Model 61972. 10” Compound Slide Mitre Saw. Cannot use due to blade spinning after power switch is released.
- Model
- Item 61972
- Serial number
- 370331618
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight, Pennsylvania
- Bought
- May 8, 2016, about then
- Where
- Steubenville, Ohio: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Age 59, Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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First aid Made Aug 31, 2021, sent to the company Sep 9, 2021, published by CPSC Sep 23, 2021
The product, in the report: Chicago Electric 98199 10 inch compound miter saw, aluminum finish with a plastic maroon accent on the handle, knobs, and gap for cuts. Model 98199
42 YOM was using a Chicago Electric 10 inch compound miter saw model 98199 from Harbor Freight Tools, cutting a 2x8 fir board when the saw ‘jumped’ and kicked the board out. The aluminum base of the saw had broke mid cut, causing the saw to become unstable. Thankfully, minimal injury, just bruise from the board kicking out. The blade is relatively new by [REDACTED].
- Model
- 98199
- Serial number
- 250100
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight Tools, 5035 SE 82nd Ave, Portland
- Bought
- Sep 24, 2015, about then
- Where
- Portland, Oregon: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 42, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- Reports CPSC links to it
- 20210907-9B73C-3435445
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
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No one hurt Made Jul 30, 2019, sent to the company Aug 6, 2019, published by CPSC Aug 20, 2019
The product, in the report: Chicago Electric Power Tools 10” Compound Miter Saw Item 61973
I was cutting a piece of hickory wood. On the second cut, the entire top part of the saw, including the motor and the blade, went flying, having broken off from the bottom part of the saw.
- Model
- 61973
- UPC
- 92363 61973
- Serial number
- 370441701
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight Tools
- Bought
- Mar 1, 2018, about then
- Where
- Erie, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 74, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric Power Tools, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Emergency room Made Apr 30, 2018, sent to the company Jun 19, 2018, published by CPSC Jul 3, 2018
The product, in the report: Chicago 10” Sliding Miter Saw
10” Sliding Miter Saw
Saw has two flaws: 1. Blade guard does failed to close and cover blade after cutting & release of saw. Spring is weak and Mfg said no serviceable parts or adjustments. 2. Sliding arm has no springs or retraction mechanism allowing the saw to lunge forward.
BOTH happened to me at the same time. Blade guard failed to close and saw slide toward me after the saw was released cutting my hand.
- Model
- 10 in. Sliding Compound Miter Saw
- UPC
- 61971
- Serial number
- 370331646
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight Tools
- Bought
- Aug 15, 2017, about then
- Where
- Metairie, Louisiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 57, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric Tools, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received
-
Hurt, no treatment Made Aug 23, 2017, sent to the company Jan 5, 2018, published by CPSC Jan 23, 2018
The product, in the report: Chicago electric 12 inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw with laser guide. Model 61969 Serial number 370441640
July 8th 2017 using compound miter saw with lasor guide while making a cut, entire blade came apart, got caught in blade sending heavy glass like plastic into face, i was wearing goggles or my eyes would have been pierce with flying debris this is chicago electric compound miter saw 12 inch with lasor guide, third time using saw model 61969 serial 370441640
- Model
- 61969
- UPC
- 79236361969
- Serial number
- 370441640
- Bought from
- ebay
- Bought
- Dec 9, 2016
- Where
- whitakers, North Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 49, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Spouse
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
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No one hurt Made Jul 23, 2017, sent to the company Aug 7, 2017, published by CPSC Aug 21, 2017
The product, in the report: 12 inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw with laser guide
While cutting with the saw positioned in the bevel angle of 45deg. The part known as the Fence in its default out of the box position can cause a collision between the blade and the Metal Fence (See user manual for definition of fence ),
The interference between the blade and the fence caused the Plastic Lower guard to shatter and to cause the guard screws and a spring to separate from the guard area and act as a projectiles. The Saw blade was able to interfere with the guard and to shatter the plastic guard.
I returned the saw to Harbor freight and they replace the saw. Before I started to use the saw I tried all of the difference angle and this is when I identified the potential issue.
- Model
- 12 inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw with laser g
- Serial number
- 61970
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight, Massachusetts
- Bought
- Feb 16, 2017
- Where
- N.Grafton, Massachusetts: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 54, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand CHICAGO ELECTRIC, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jan 26, 2016, sent to the company Feb 3, 2016, published by CPSC Feb 19, 2016
The product, in the report: 12 inch double bevel compound miter saw
12 inch double bevel sliding miter saw item # 61969. Blade caught the bottom portion of the safety guard which caused the safety guard to be pulled down and the entire guard piece to be pulled off the saw while in use sending plastic shards at the operator. This also caused the wood that was being cut at the time to fly of the base (it was secured).
- Model
- model #61969
- UPC
- 792363619691
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight, Arizona
- Bought
- Jan 23, 2016
- Where
- Glendale, Arizona: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 35, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight), made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 23, 2015, sent to the company Dec 15, 2015, published by CPSC Dec 30, 2015
The product, in the report: 10” compound miter saw
Chicago Electric (aka Harbor Freight) 10” compound miter saw, item 61973, safety guard shattered while in use and send shards of plastic at operator. The point of the safety guard is to contain wood fragments from striking the operator.
I have used many power saws over 30 years and never seen this kind of failure. I was very fortunate not to be injured. It is obvious that this part if not sufficiently engineered.
- Model
- 61973
- UPC
- ?
- Serial number
- none
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight
- Bought
- Dec 22, 2014
- Where
- Tucson, United States: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 66, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Hospital admission Made Sep 29, 2013, sent to the company Oct 23, 2013, published by CPSC Nov 6, 2013
The product, in the report: It is a electric sliding rail compound miter saw
I was using the miter saw to cut 2X6 boards for my trailer saw. I was cutting with all the guards in the proper position and finished the cut and raised the saw. The blade guard is designed to drop down to cover the moving blade. It failed to do so and stuck in the up position. I brushed my left index finger against the blade the cut me severely. I had to go to the hospital and was keep for two days and they had to cut my finger tip off at the first joint.
- Model
- item number 98199
- Serial number
- 370331210
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight tools, California
- Bought
- Apr 2, 2013, about then
- Where
- Nuevo, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 63, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, Hospital Admission
-
Seen by a doctor or nurse Made Feb 26, 2013, sent to the company Mar 7, 2013, published by CPSC Mar 21, 2013
The product, in the report: 10 inch compound miter saw
The consumer was using a new Chicago Electric Brand 10 inch compound miter saw. As he was lowering the arm, the aluminum base broke in half, causing the rotating blade and arm to fall and amputate part of his left thumb.
- Model
- Model 91995
- UPC
- 9236391995
- Serial number
- 370331209
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight Tools
- Bought
- Jan 3, 2013
- Where
- Bethel Park, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 58, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Client, Patient, Student, Etc. (professional relationship)
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
-
Hurt, no treatment Made Nov 12, 2012, sent to the company Dec 5, 2012, published by CPSC Dec 19, 2012
The product, in the report: Electric Circular Saw
I was using an electric circular saw when it suddenly sucked in my hair. The entangled hair caused the saw to jerk upward slamming me in the head. I was unable to free the large chunk of hair the saw sucked up and had to cut the hair to get free of the saw.
- Model
- 95004
- Serial number
- 370281110
- Where
- Emmett, Idaho: Mobile/
Manufactured Home - Who was involved
- Age 49, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Connection Power Tools, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
-
No one hurt Made Apr 19, 2012, sent to the company Jun 7, 2012, published by CPSC Jun 21, 2012
The product, in the report: Miter Saw (slide compound 12 inch)
The consumer stated that he was using the miter saw to cut through a wood. While using the saw the function failed that is used cut the wood, however it continued operating and he was unable to power it off, he had to unplug the unit to turn it off. Also the power guard does not work on the unit. The saw overheats as well which is a fire hazard. 4/17/2012 He contacted the distributor who advised that the miter saw was out of warranty. He stated that he was unable to use it when he had just purchased, so he had just started using it a few days ago. The consumer feels that this product have too many unsafe features and should be investigated.
- Model
- Miter Saw (slide compound 12 inch) 98194
- UPC
- unknown
- Serial number
- unknown
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight, Arizona
- Bought
- Apr 1, 2011, about then
- Where
- Scottsdale, Arizona: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric, made or sold by Harbor Freight Tools
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Apr 2, 2012, sent to the company Apr 9, 2012, published by CPSC Apr 23, 2012
The product, in the report: Compound Sliding 10” Miter Saw
Safety Guard on compound miter saw is plastic and has a tendency to fail where connected to controlling arm. I found that on purchase of this model 90891 saw that upon opening about 9 boxes all of the new saws had stress cracks in the guard in the same location. the saw was purchased about 4 years ago and the connection was repaired with epoxy. It recently failed as the epoxy gave way and can no longer be repaired. The saw has had very little use and I have recently looked at other manufacturers’ saws in Lowes and Home Depot, only to notice a much more secure swivel connection on the guard. I feel this is an unsafe condition since it broke during use and the product should be recalled. I have as of 3/30/2012 ordered a replacement safety guard from Harbor Freight but had to pay for it. I am awaiting receipt of the parts.
- Model
- 90891
- Serial number
- A20040400296
- Bought from
- Harbor Freight Tools
- Bought
- Jul 28, 2007, about then
- Where
- West Falls, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Chicago Electric Power Tools, made or sold by CHICAGO ELECTRIC, DIV OF HARBORFREIGHT
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.