Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported March 10, 2004
CPSC, Harbor Freight Tools Announce Recall of Heavy Duty Portable Industrial Cord Reel
Electric shock or fire possible because the internal grounding conductor may not be properly secured to the receptacle.
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif. recalled The recalled heavy duty portable industrial cord reels are yellow with a carrying handle,… - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, Harbor Freight Tools Announce Recall of Heavy Duty Portable Industrial Cord Reel was recalled by Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif. in March 10, 2004. Reason: Electric shock or fire possible because the internal grounding conductor may not be properly secured to the r…. Remedy: Stop using the cord and reel immediately. Consumers should call Harbor Freight Tools to o…. Verify recall #04542 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-Electric shock or fire possible because the internal grounding conductor may not be properly secured to the r….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 9K units
- affected scope
- March 10, 2004
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04542 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #04542) was formally reported on March 10, 2004. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 9,390.
The documented reason for this recall is: Electric shock or fire possible because the internal grounding conductor may not be properly secured to the receptacle. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Stop using the cord and reel immediately. Consumers should call Harbor Freight Tools to obtain a refund. Harbor Freight Tools is contacting owners of affected cord reels by direct mail, where the nam… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Household Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
9,390
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
The recalled heavy duty portable industrial cord reels are yellow with a carrying handle, extendable/retractable extension cord and 6 electrical outlets/plugs. The units are marked "Cord Reel Portable Power" and sold as "SKU 42053." The label on the rear of the unit contains the following information: "Cord Reel, 10 Amps, 125 Volts, 1250 Watts, Caution, Disconnect all plugs inserted into the outlets on this face before winding cord reel in either direction, Made in Taiwan, R.O.C."
Reason for recall
Electric shock or fire possible because the internal grounding conductor may not be properly secured to the receptacle.
Remedy, what to do
Stop using the cord and reel immediately. Consumers should call Harbor Freight Tools to obtain a refund. Harbor Freight Tools is contacting owners of affected cord reels by direct mail, where the name is known to the firm.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 04542 |
| Date reported | March 10, 2004 |
| Date initiated | March 10, 2004 |
| Recalling firm | Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif. |
| Affected scope | 9,390 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Stop using the cord and reel immediately. Consumers should call Harbor Freight Tools to obtain a refund. Harbor Freight Tools is …
- Check the recall number (04542) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
The recalled heavy duty portable industrial cord reels are yellow with a carrying handle, extendable/retractable extension cord and 6 electrical outlets/plugs. The units are marked "Cord Reel Portable Power" and sold as "SKU 42053." The label on the rear of the unit contains the following information: "Cord Reel, 10 Amps, 125 Volts, 1250 Watts, Caution, Disconnect all plugs inserted into the outlets on this face before winding cord reel in either direction, Made in Taiwan, R.O.C.". Recalled by Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, Calif.. Units affected: 9,390.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
Electric shock or fire possible because the internal grounding conductor may not be properly secured to the receptacle.
What should consumers do? ▼
Stop using the cord and reel immediately. Consumers should call Harbor Freight Tools to obtain a refund. Harbor Freight Tools is contacting owners of affected cord reels by direct mail, where the name is known to the firm.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on March 10, 2004. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04542.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (04542) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
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Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported March 10, 2004. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.