Why this attic-stair recall matters for more than a million homes
According to CPSC, Louisville, Featherlite, Lite & Century attic stairway ladders with gas struts can suffer bolt failure. Stop using them and register for a free repair kit.
Attic stairs are the kind of household fixture people barely think about—until a bolt fails mid-climb. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Louisville Ladder has recalled more than 1.7 million attic stairway ladders sold under the Louisville, Featherlite, Lite, and Century names because spreader bolts can break while the ladder is in use.
What happened
CPSC’s recall notice (recall number 26-661, posted August 6, 2026) states that bolts on these gas-strut attic stairway ladders can break, creating a serious fall hazard. The firm reported 11 incidents of a bolt breaking, including one injury involving the neck, head, and back.
The recall covers aluminum or wood-frame ladders with gas struts only. They fold into the attic, typically include handrails, and were sold in several opening sizes (including 22.5, 25.5, and 30.0 inches wide; 54 and 60 inches long) for ceiling heights from about 7 feet 8 inches up to 12 feet. Brand name and model number appear on the inside of the attic door.
Units were sold at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Do It Best, Orgill, and other retailers nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, from November 2012 through July 2026 for roughly $170 to $600. About 1,770,000 units were sold in the U.S., plus about 13,054 in Canada.
Who is affected
Anyone with a Louisville, Featherlite, Lite, or Century attic stairway ladder that uses gas struts may be affected. Ladders without gas struts are outside this notice. Because the sales window stretches back to 2012, older installs in owner-occupied homes, rentals, and inherited properties are all in scope if the model matches.
What to do
According to CPSC, consumers should stop using the recalled ladders immediately and register at the firm’s recall site (Atticstairwayrecall.expertinquiry.com) for a free repair kit. Have the model number from inside the attic door ready. If the unit is included, the firm sends a kit with two replacement ¼-inch spreader bolts, washers, lock nuts, and installation instructions. Louisville Ladder can also be reached toll-free at 888-679-5132 (8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday), or via the urgent recall notice on louisvilleladder.com.
Federal law prohibits selling products subject to a CPSC recall undertaken in consultation with the Commission. That matters for resale listings and garage sales: a recalled attic ladder should not be passed along “as is.” The free repair kit is the path CPSC and the firm describe—not a DIY bolt from a hardware drawer unless it matches the kit instructions.
Source
Primary source: CPSC Recall 26-661 — Louisville Ladder attic stairway ladders
Official primary source (CPSC):
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Louisville-Ladder-Recalls-Over-One-Million-Attic-Stairway-Ladders-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Fall-Hazard
This brief is a plain-English digest of a public government notice. It is not medical or legal advice. Verify details on the linked official page before acting.