February 18, 2026 — A landscaping company in Alabama reported a serious safety incident involving an alleged counterfeit Makita 18V 5.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery purchased through Walmart’s website. The battery reportedly exploded and caught fire in the company’s shop, prompting an investigation that revealed a mix of genuine and counterfeit batteries among the purchased units. The incident highlights significant risks associated with the sale of unauthorized products online.
Product Details
Product: Makita BL1850B-2 18V 5.0Ah Lithium-Ion Batteries
Incident Overview
Last summer, a landscaping company based in Alabama purchased multiple Makita 18V 5.0Ah Lithium-Ion batteries from Walmart’s website. The online listing explicitly advertised the products as genuine Makita brand batteries, with no indication they were compatible or third-party items. Upon arrival, the batteries appeared authentic and were nearly indistinguishable from genuine Makita products, bearing no obvious signs of being counterfeit.
Several months after the purchase, a dangerous incident occurred in the company’s shop. One of the purchased batteries suddenly exploded and ignited, posing a significant risk of injury and extensive property damage. Fortunately, an employee nearby was able to quickly extinguish the fire, preventing its spread and avoiding any injuries.
Following the incident, the company contacted Makita to report the explosion. Makita’s battery safety investigation team examined the batteries in the company’s possession. Their investigation revealed that while some batteries were genuine Makita products, others were not authentic and were identified as counterfeits. Makita also provided the company with information on how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit versions.
Further review of purchase records confirmed that the counterfeit batteries originated from the Walmart online purchase. The complainant also noted that Makita informed them Walmart is not an authorized Makita battery dealer.
The complainant then attempted to resolve the issue with Walmart, reporting the sale of counterfeit Makita-branded batteries and the subsequent explosion and fire. Despite multiple attempts, Walmart has reportedly not provided a meaningful response or a refund for the counterfeit products. Concern was also raised that these potentially dangerous batteries may still be listed for sale online. The complainant is seeking an investigation to prevent further consumer and business exposure to these hazardous products.
Safety Concerns
This incident with an alleged counterfeit Makita battery raises several critical safety concerns:
- Explosion and Fire Hazard: The most immediate and severe danger is the risk of explosion and fire, as demonstrated in this incident. Counterfeit lithium-ion batteries often lack the quality control, safety circuits, and genuine cell components found in authentic products. This can lead to overheating, thermal runaway, and catastrophic failure, resulting in explosions and fires that can cause severe burns, smoke inhalation injuries, and significant property damage.
- Lack of Quality Control: Counterfeit products are not manufactured to the brand’s specifications and typically undergo no safety testing or quality assurance checks. This makes them inherently unpredictable and dangerous compared to legitimate products.
- Deceptive Advertising and Misrepresentation: The sale of counterfeit products advertised as genuine articles constitutes deceptive advertising. Consumers and businesses unknowingly purchase hazardous products believing they are acquiring reputable, safe items. This betrayal of trust can have dire consequences beyond financial loss.
- Risk to Businesses and Consumers: Businesses using power tools, like the landscaping company in this report, rely on the safety and reliability of their equipment. Counterfeit batteries put employees at risk of serious injury and can lead to costly property damage and operational disruptions. Individual consumers who purchase these batteries for home use face similar dangers.
- Difficulty in Identification: As noted in the incident, counterfeit batteries can appear nearly identical to genuine ones, making them difficult for an average consumer to identify without specialized knowledge or direct comparison.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own Makita 18V 5.0Ah Lithium-Ion Batteries, especially if purchased from online retailers that are not authorized dealers, please take the following actions:
- Immediately Cease Use (if suspicious): If you suspect your Makita battery might be counterfeit, or if it exhibits unusual behavior (overheating, swelling, rapid discharge), stop using it immediately.
- Inspect Your Batteries: If you have Makita batteries, especially those purchased from non-authorized dealers, examine them closely. While difficult for the untrained eye, look for subtle differences in branding, labeling, serial numbers, charging ports, or construction quality compared to batteries purchased directly from authorized dealers or Makita themselves. Makita may provide resources on their official website to help identify fakes.
- Purchase from Authorized Dealers Only: To ensure authenticity and safety, always purchase batteries and other branded power tool accessories directly from authorized Makita dealers. Be wary of significantly discounted prices on unfamiliar websites or marketplace sellers, as these can be indicators of counterfeit products.
- Proper Disposal: If you determine you have a counterfeit or damaged lithium-ion battery, do not dispose of it in regular household waste. Contact your local waste management facility for proper disposal instructions for hazardous materials.
- Report Incidents:
- To Makita: If you suspect you have a counterfeit battery or experience an incident, contact Makita U.S.A., Inc. directly to report it and seek their guidance.
- To the Retailer: Report the sale of counterfeit products to the retailer (e.g., Walmart). Document all communications.
- To Regulatory Agencies: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov to help prevent future incidents.
Manufacturer’s Response
No manufacturer response has been provided in the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.