Attic Ladder Recall
More than 1.7 Million Attic Ladders Recalled from Home Depot, Lowe's Amid Injury Reports
Louisville Ladder Inc. has recalled 1,770,000 attic stairway ladders sold at Home Depot and Lowe's after reports of falls and serious injuries, according to Western Mass News. The ladders were sold nationwide between November 2012 and July 2026 for between $170 and $600 under the Louisville, Featherlite, Lite, and Century brand names.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has told owners to stop using the ladders immediately. A small bolt inside the ladder can snap without warning, causing the whole unit to collapse mid-climb. There have been 11 reports of bolt failures in the U.S., including one person who suffered neck, head, and back injuries, WECT reports.
A Tiny Bolt With Dangerous Consequences
The problem is a 1/4-inch chrome-colored spreader bolt inside the ladder's folding frame. These bolts can shear — meaning they snap in two — while someone is climbing. When the bolt goes, the ladder frame can instantly collapse. There is nothing to catch you when that happens, KFYR-TV reports.
The defect only affects ladders fitted with gas struts. Louisville Ladder stopped making ladders with these bolts on June 22, 2026. Ladders built after that date use stronger yellow-colored bolts instead. If your ladder has chrome-colored bolts, it is part of the recall, according to Fox5 Vegas.
How to Check If Your Ladder Is Recalled
The recalled ladders have frames that are 22.5, 25.5, or 30 inches wide. They fit ceiling heights between 7 feet 8 inches and 12 feet. The model number is printed on the inside of your attic door frame. The ladders were sold in wood and aluminum styles, WAVE 3 reports.
Louisville Ladder sold the ladders at Home Depot, Lowe's, Do It Best, Orgill, and Amazon between November 2012 and July 2026. More than 13,000 units were also sold in Canada. The wide sales window means these ladders are in millions of homes across North America, according to WNEM.
Free Repair Kit Available — Stop Using It Now
Owners can get a free repair kit by visiting atticstairwayrecall.com. The kit includes stronger Grade 5 replacement bolts, washers, and lock nuts. Grade 5 bolts are heat-treated steel rated to hold up to 120,000 pounds per square inch of force — far stronger than the original parts, according to KGNS.
Do not use the ladder again until the repair is done. Some homeowners — especially elderly or disabled residents — may need to hire a handyman to install the new bolts. Louisville Ladder is managing the recall through a third-party service. You can also call their hotline or email for help, 1011 Now reports.
Lawsuits Filed as Legal Experts Warn Injured Owners
Product liability law firms began accepting injury cases the day after the recall was announced on August 6, 2026. Attorneys are warning injured owners not to install the repair kit before documenting the damage. Installing it could destroy key evidence needed in court, according to WBBJ-TV.
Consumer safety advocates say 11 reported failures sounds small against 1.77 million ladders — but not if you are the one who falls. Real estate experts also warn that home inspectors may flag the chrome bolts during property sales, possibly delaying closings until repairs are confirmed, KALB reports.
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