Nearly 3.7 million Little Giant ladders are being recalled after reports that they can suddenly collapse, leaving users with traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures and broken bones. The recall targets homeowners, contractors and anyone who bought one of these adjustable ladders from major retailers over the past decade, and as the site's consumer reporter often warns, these are exactly the kinds of hidden product dangers that can catch families off guard before a trip to the store turns into a trip to the ER.
Little Giant Ladder Systems issued the recall for about 3,662,000 ladders equipped with Rapid Locks, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the action on Thursday, Nov. 5. The recall covers 11 models with black or orange locking mechanisms used to adjust the ladders' height. According to the CPSC, the ladders can suddenly retract if the locks are not fully engaged, creating a serious fall hazard.
The CPSC reported 25 incidents of ladders retracting, resulting in 19 injuries. Three of those involved head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, concussions, vision loss, hearing loss and what the agency described as "cognitive impairment." Another 16 reports involved broken bones, cuts and bruising. Little Giant has also received 39 reports of the locks malfunctioning.
How to spot it
- Affected models include the Adjustable Fortress 2.0, Conquest 2.0, Dark Horse 2.0, Epic, King Kombo XT, Leveler, MegaLite, MegaLite+, Multi, Quantum and Vector.
- The ladders were sold at retailers including Lowe's and Costco, as well as online stores, from December 2015 through October 2026, priced between $100 and $1,000.
- Only ladders without an orange rectangular "QC" sticker above one of the Rapid Locks are part of the recall.
What to do if it happened to you
The CPSC and Little Giant urge owners to stop using the ladders immediately until they review the recall instructions. Customers should contact Little Giant for a free repair kit that includes warning labels and instructions, and the company advises checking that the locks are fully engaged before every use while keeping them lubricated. Anyone whose locks still malfunction after lubrication and evaluation can receive a replacement ladder or a refund, with full refunds available for ladders purchased within the past 12 months.
A Little Giant spokesperson told Daily Voice the recall was issued voluntarily and that the company will provide new warning labels and instructional materials at no cost to help customers verify their Rapid Locks are properly engaged and maintained with lubrication.
More information is available on Little Giant's website or by calling 866-201-9069.
Source: DailyVoice.com
