Milwaukee M18 FUEL Top Handle Chainsaw Recall: How to Check Your 2826-20
Which Milwaukee M18 FUEL top handle chainsaws are recalled, how to read the serial number, and how to get the free repair, from the CPSC and Milwaukee notices.
By FirewoodGearHQ Editorial
Updated October 6, 2026
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL top handle chainsaw recall covers the cordless top handle saw with catalog number 2826-20 whose serial number has the letter A as its fourth character. On those saws the chain brake may not activate, which can lead to cuts. If yours matches, stop using it and send it to Milwaukee Tool for a free repair. Saws with B as the fourth character are not affected, and Milwaukee says no other Milwaukee chainsaw is part of this recall.
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Every fact on this page comes from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall notice and Milwaukee Tool’s own recall page, checked on October 7, 2026. If those sources change, they win over anything written here.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL top handle chainsaw recall at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Milwaukee M18 FUEL Top Handle Chainsaw, 12 in or 14 in bar |
| Catalog number | 2826-20 |
| Affected units | Fourth character of the serial number is A |
| Not affected | Fourth character B, and all other Milwaukee chainsaws |
| Hazard | Chain brake may not activate, a laceration hazard |
| Incidents reported | Two reports of the chain brake not activating, one lacerated finger |
| Units | About 90,860 in the U.S., plus about 7,500 in Canada |
| Sold | Home Depot, other home improvement stores, homedepot.com and other distribution partners, March 2023 through September 2024 |
| Recall date | October 30, 2025 (CPSC recall number 26-064) |
| Remedy | Stop using it; free repair, with free shipping both ways |
The saw was sold as a bare tool, with a chain, bar cover and wrench, or as a kit with two M18 batteries and a charger. Both versions are covered if the serial number matches. The recall was announced jointly in Canada.
How to tell if your saw is affected
Step 1: find the nameplate
The nameplate is the printed label on the body of the saw. It shows both the catalog number and the serial number. Clean off sawdust and bar oil so you can read it clearly.
Step 2: confirm the catalog number
Look for 2826-20. That is the M18 FUEL top handle chainsaw. If your Milwaukee saw shows a different catalog number, it is not part of this recall. The CPSC notice puts the catalog number on the upper right portion of the nameplate.
Step 3: read the fourth character of the serial number
Count four characters in from the start of the serial number. If the fourth character is A, the saw is affected. If it is B, it is not. CPSC places the serial number on the upper left of the nameplate, while Milwaukee’s page says the top right corner, so check the whole label rather than one corner.
Step 4: if you cannot read it, treat it as affected
Milwaukee’s recall page says that if the serial number is unreadable, you should stop using the saw and arrange the free repair anyway. Worn or oil-soaked labels are common on saws that see real work, so this matters.
What to do if your saw is recalled
- Stop using it now. Both CPSC and Milwaukee say to stop using an affected saw immediately. Do not keep cutting because the brake seems to work.
- Register for the repair. Use Milwaukee’s eService portal at service.milwaukeetool.com, or call Milwaukee Tool at 833-953-2012, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday. The Milwaukee recall page also has a recall status check.
- Ship only the saw. Milwaukee says to send the saw body only. Keep the bar and chain, batteries and charger at home.
- Use the prepaid label. CPSC says registered owners get a prepaid shipping label, and Milwaukee says it covers shipping to its repair facility and sends the repaired saw straight back to you.
The repair is free. Milwaukee says factory-trained technicians repair the saw with genuine Milwaukee parts. The official notice is CPSC recall 26-064.
Why a chain brake problem matters
The chain brake is the part that stops the chain fast, most importantly in a kickback, when the tip of the bar catches and throws the saw back toward you. It also lets you lock the chain while you walk or set the saw down. Milwaukee describes the defect as a brake that may not stop the chain from moving when the brake is locked. A saw whose brake cannot be trusted is not one to keep using for a few more weekends.
Top handle saws deserve extra care anyway. They are compact and light, made for trimming and arborist work, and the handle layout puts the saw close to your body. For bucking firewood rounds on the ground, a rear handle saw with a longer bar is usually the better tool. Our picks for the best battery chainsaw for homeowners and the best chainsaw for firewood compare bar length, power and chain brake design.
Wear cut-resistant chaps, a helmet with face screen and hearing protection, gloves and sturdy boots. Know where the kickback zone is (the upper tip of the bar), keep the chain brake working and the chain sharp, and never cut alone in the woods. Felling trees is hazardous work: hire a professional for large, leaning or storm-damaged trees, especially near buildings or power lines. See OSHA logging safety for chain saw operators. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Chainsaw safety basics while you wait
If you borrow or rent a saw while yours is away for repair, the same core rules apply to every chainsaw:
- Wear chainsaw chaps, a helmet with a face screen and hearing protection, cut-resistant gloves and sturdy boots.
- Know where the kickback zone is: the upper quarter of the bar tip. Keep it out of contact with wood and the ground.
- Check that the chain brake engages before each session, as the saw’s manual describes.
- Keep a firm two-handed grip and stand to the side of the cutting line.
- Never cut alone. Make sure someone knows where you are and can call for help.
A sharp chain is a safer chain, because a dull one makes you push and the saw jump. See our best chainsaw sharpener picks. This site does not give tree-felling instructions; for felling, hire a qualified arborist or take an in-person chainsaw course.
How to check other saws and splitters for recalls
Search the CPSC recall list at cpsc.gov/Recalls by brand and product type, and register any new outdoor power tool with its maker so you are contacted directly if a recall is announced. Keep the model and serial numbers of your saws, splitters and stoves in one note on your phone. When a recall shows up, you can check your gear in a minute instead of digging through the shed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Milwaukee chainsaw is recalled?
Only the M18 FUEL Top Handle Chainsaw, catalog number 2826-20, with the letter A as the fourth character of its serial number. It was sold with a 12 in or a 14 in bar. Milwaukee says no other Milwaukee chainsaw is affected.
Is my Milwaukee top handle chainsaw safe to use?
If the fourth serial character is A, or you cannot read the serial number, stop using it and arrange the free repair. Milwaukee says saws with B as the fourth character are not affected and are safe to keep using.
Do I get a refund or a repair?
The remedy is a free repair. Milwaukee covers shipping both ways. The recall notice does not offer a refund or replacement.
Do I need to send the battery and bar?
No. Milwaukee says to ship only the saw. Keep the bar and chain, batteries and charger.
When was the Milwaukee M18 FUEL top handle chainsaw recalled?
CPSC posted the recall on October 30, 2025. The affected saws were sold from March 2023 through September 2024.
Related guides
Browse every saw guide on our chainsaws hub. If you are choosing a cordless saw, start with the best battery chainsaws for homeowners, and for heavier bucking, the best chainsaws for firewood. Also see our how to check if your chainsaw or log splitter is recalled.
About the author
The FirewoodGearHQ editorial team researches firewood and wood heating equipment from published specifications, ratings and warranty terms, and scores every pick the same way. We do not run our own product trials.