Louisville Ladder recalls 1.77 million attic ladders due to bolt failure

Louisville Ladder, Inc. is recalling approximately 1.77 million attic stairway ladders in the United States and over 13,000 units in Canada due to a defect that poses a significant fall risk. The recall affects gas-strut models sold under the Louisville, Featherlite, Lite, and Century brand names between November 2012 and July 2026.

The issue involves a quarter-inch spreader bolt in the assembly that holds the folding sections in place. Regulators report that the bolt can break under load, causing the ladder to lose its structural rigidity. There have been 11 reports of bolt failures, including one incident that resulted in injuries to a person’s head, neck, and back.

Consumers are advised to stop using the affected ladders immediately. The ladders were sold at major retailers, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Do It Best, Orgill, and Amazon. Louisville Ladder is providing a free repair kit to address the defect.