On November 5, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Little Giant Ladder Systems is recalling about 3.66 million ladders with Rapid Locks because the ladder can suddenly retract if those locks are not fully engaged, creating a serious fall hazard for homeowners and anyone working at height.

What is being recalled

This recall covers Little Giant ladders that use Rapid Locks — black or orange inserts on each ladder leg that set the ladder’s height. Affected models are Adjustable Fortress 2.0, Conquest 2.0, Dark Horse 2.0, Epic, King Kombo XT, Leveler, MegaLite, MegaLite+, Multi, Quantum, and Vector. The brand and model name appear on the side of the ladder.

Only ladders without an orange rectangular “QC” sticker on the rail above one of the Rapid Locks are included. If your ladder has that QC sticker, it is not part of this recall. (CPSC recall 27-067)

Why it matters

Little Giant has received 25 reports of ladders retracting, including 19 injury reports. Three of those involved head injuries such as traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, concussion, vision loss, hearing loss, or cognitive impairment. Sixteen others involved joint or bone fractures, lacerations, or bruising. The company also received 39 reports of Rapid Locks not working properly.

These ladders were sold widely — Lowe’s, Costco, and other stores nationwide, plus Lowes.com, Amazon.com, Costco.com, LittleGiantLadders.com, and other sites — from December 2015 through October 2026 for about $100 to $1,000. Many Pittsburgh-area garages and job sites may have one.

What to do

  • Stop using any recalled ladder until you have reviewed the official recall page or the QR code on the ladder.
  • Contact Little Giant for a free repair kit (warning labels and instructions). Call 866-201-9069 (6 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT, Monday–Friday) or go to littlegiantladders.com/pages/recalls.
  • Affix the new labels, lubricate the locks as directed, and verify that every Rapid Lock is fully engaged before each use.
  • If a lock still fails after lubrication and Little Giant’s evaluation, the company will offer a replacement ladder of the same or equivalent model, or a refund that can range from a depreciated amount up to full purchase price for ladders bought within the past 12 months.
  • If you were injured or had a near miss, report it on SaferProducts.gov.

Ladder safety while you sort this out

Falls from ladders remain one of the most common serious home-maintenance injuries. Even after the repair kit is installed, take a second to confirm the locks click fully into place before you climb, keep three points of contact, and set the ladder on firm, level ground. If you are not comfortable working at height, hire a professional rather than improvising on a questionable ladder.

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Questions about this topic

Which Little Giant ladders are recalled?

Ladders with Rapid Locks in these models: Adjustable Fortress 2.0, Conquest 2.0, Dark Horse 2.0, Epic, King Kombo XT, Leveler, MegaLite, MegaLite+, Multi, Quantum, and Vector. Only units without an orange rectangular QC sticker on the rail above one of the Rapid Locks are included. Rapid Locks are black or orange inserts on each ladder leg used to set height.

What is the hazard?

If the Rapid Locks are not fully engaged, the ladder can suddenly retract, posing a fall hazard. Little Giant has received 25 reports of ladders retracting, including 19 injury reports (three involving head injuries such as traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, concussion, vision loss, hearing loss, or cognitive impairment, and 16 other injuries such as fractures, lacerations, and bruising), plus 39 reports of Rapid Locks not working properly.

What should I do if I own one?

Stop using the ladder until you review the recall information at littlegiantladders.com/pages/recalls or via the QR code on the ladder. Contact Little Giant for a free repair kit with warning labels and instructions. Affix the labels and verify that Rapid Locks are fully engaged before every use; lubricate locks as directed. If a lock still does not work after lubrication and evaluation, Little Giant may offer a replacement or a refund based on purchase date.

Where were they sold and how do I contact Little Giant?

They were sold at Lowe’s, Costco, and other stores nationwide, and online at Lowes.com, Amazon.com, Costco.com, LittleGiantLadders.com, and other sites from December 2015 through October 2026 for about $100 to $1,000. Call Little Giant toll-free at 866-201-9069 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit littlegiantladders.com and click RECALLS.

How can I tell if my ladder is included?

Look for the Little Giant brand and model name on the side of the ladder, and check for Rapid Locks on each leg. If there is an orange rectangular QC sticker on the rail above one of the Rapid Locks, that ladder is not part of this recall. If there is no QC sticker, treat it as recalled and follow the remedy steps above.