Independent profile — not affiliated with Generac Power Systems
Generac Power Systems
Generac Power Systems, Inc., the U.S. operating subsidiary of publicly traded Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), designs and manufactures portable and home standby generators, PWRcell solar/battery storage systems and other energy products from its Waukesha, Wisconsin headquarters. In 2023 Generac agreed to pay a $15.8 million CPSC civil penalty for failing to promptly report a finger-amputation/crushing defect in 6500-watt/8000-watt portable generators first recalled in 2021, and in April 2026 the CPSC announced a separate recall of about 149,400 portable generators over a carburetor fuel-leak/fire hazard. Generac also agreed in January 2026, while denying wrongdoing, to a settlement in principle of a lawsuit over a 2023 generator explosion that injured six workers, paying $104.5 million in addition to its excess insurance (the company reported a $206.5 million reserve and a $102 million insurance receivable); it has also reserved $15 million for a proposed class settlement over its PWRcell SnapRS solar component that awaits final court approval, while two securities-fraud class actions against the company were dismissed. Separately reported below: 259 BBB complaints in the last three years alongside a 1.21-of-5 BBB customer-review score, a Trustpilot score of 1.8 of 5 from 184 reviews, and USAComplaints' own small set of posts about Generac.
Complaints & Reviews on USAComplaints
USAComplaints currently maintains 8 historical complaints about Generac Power Systems, published between 2008 and 2012. No approved complaints have been published on this site during the last three years. For a current reputation snapshot, see the independent sources below.
- Generator worked 350 hours but still failed after repeated repairs
- No response after overheating 6500 generator in grooming vehicle
- Standby generator motor replaced four times in one year
- Defective 6500 generator with no resolution from specialist
- Generator stopped working twice and replacement parts have not fixed it
- Warranty denied on 48 KW generator exported to Costa Rica
- New 16kw generator failed within weeks and light stayed red
- Oil leak from crankshaft seals on 7-year-old generator not covered
Independent Sources
Shown for context — not merged with USAComplaints' own numbers.
Contacts & Login
- Official website: https://www.generac.com/
- Customer support (888-GENERAC): 888-436-3722 3 complaints mention this number
- Corporate office: 262-544-4811
- Product registration: https://register.generac.com/
- Support / guided help portal: https://support.generac.com/s/
- Recall information / check your unit: https://www.generac.com/about/recalls/
Locations
| Type | Address |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | S45W29290 Highway 59 Waukesha WI 53189 |
Own a Generac generator or PWRcell system? What to check
Generac has had several separate recalls announced in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — including three separate portable-generator recalls (2021/2022, 2023 and 2026) — so checking one does not clear the others. The quickest check is Generac's recall lookup (generac.com/about/recalls/submission-request/), which asks for your product's serial number and ZIP code. The first covers 6500-watt and 8000-watt models (unit types XT8000E, XT8000EFI, GP6500, GP6500E, GP8000E, HomeLink 6500E, and DR-branded PRO 6500M/6500E) sold June 2013 through June 2021, over an unlocked handle that can pinch or amputate fingers when the generator is moved; a free repair kit is available by calling Generac at 844-242-3493 (8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT, Monday–Friday). The second, announced April 16, 2026, covers about 149,400 newer units (model numbers including G0077210, G0081550, G0081530, G0080620, G0080630, G0076802, G0076722, G0077130, G0077150, G0076754, G0081540 and G0079712) sold May 2025 through February 2026, over a carburetor fuel leak that can occur the first time the tank is filled, posing a fire or burn hazard; check your model and serial number at generac.com/about/recalls/GP-Carburetor or call 800-396-9951 (8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT, Monday–Friday).
If you own a PWRcell solar/battery system, a nationwide class-action settlement (In re: Generac Solar Power Systems Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 23-md-3078, E.D. Wis.) covers systems purchased before January 9, 2026 over an alleged SnapRS rapid-shutdown component defect. As of this writing the claim-filing and opt-out/objection deadlines have already passed (claims were due August 24, 2026; objections/exclusions were due July 20, 2026); the court's final approval hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2026. If you already filed a claim, watch for the final-approval outcome; if you did not, the official settlement site is generacsnapsettlement.com.
- Register your product at register.generac.com so Generac has a record of your purchase date — several BBB complaints reviewed for this page describe extended-warranty promotions being denied specifically because the customer could not later produce a dated proof of purchase.
- Get help or file a service request through Generac's support portal at support.generac.com, or call 888-436-3722 (888-GENERAC).
- Read your extended-warranty promotion's terms closely before relying on a registration or activation date; Generac's stated position in BBB complaint responses is that only a dated proof of purchase, not a registration/activation/installation/permit date, establishes eligibility for a promotional extended warranty.
- If a warranty or service dispute isn't resolved, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and — for a product-safety issue such as a fuel leak, fire, or injury — report it to CPSC at saferproducts.gov.
CPSC recalls, the $15.8 million civil penalty, and the DOJ/EPA emissions inquiry
On July 29, 2021, Generac and the CPSC jointly announced a recall of about 321,160 U.S. units (plus 4,575 in Canada) of 6500-watt and 8000-watt portable generators (Generac and DR-branded), stating: "An unlocked handle can pinch consumers' fingers against the generator frame when the generator is moved, posing finger amputation and crushing hazards." CPSC's notice said Generac had received eight injury reports at that point, seven resulting in finger amputations and one in finger crushing. On November 10, 2022, CPSC reannounced the recall with a new repair kit (handle spacers) after further injuries: "The firm received 37 total injury reports, including 24 finger amputations and 5 finger crushing injuries."
Separately, on May 5, 2023, CPSC announced that Generac Power Systems, Inc. "has agreed to pay a $15,800,000 civil penalty" for failing to immediately report the handle-pinch defect to CPSC as required by law. According to CPSC's release, "beginning in October 2018 and continuing into 2020, Generac received reports of incidents from consumers whose fingers were partially amputated or crushed by the unlocked handle... By the time Generac filed a report with the Commission, there were five reports of consumers suffering finger amputations." Generac Holdings' 10-K describes the settlement's exact terms: the CPSC notified the company of its intent to recommend a penalty on November 30, 2022; the parties settled on May 3, 2023; "the agreement does not constitute an admission by Generac or a determination by the CPSC that Generac violated the CPSA"; and the settlement required a $15,800,000 fine plus an ongoing CPSA compliance program with three years of annual compliance reports. The 10-K further discloses that on July 21, 2023, Generac Power received a federal grand jury subpoena (E.D. Wis.) revealing a related DOJ inquiry, and that on October 23, 2023, CPSC notified the company it was further investigating compliance connected to a separate voluntary recall announced September 14, 2023; as of the FY2025 10-K, "the Company has cooperated fully with both the CPSC and DOJ investigations and believes that the matters have been resolved with no further action by the CPSC or DOJ" — and by Generac's mid-2026 quarterly report, this matter no longer appears in its disclosed legal proceedings at all.
On April 16, 2026, CPSC announced an unrelated recall of about 149,400 U.S. units (plus roughly 260 in Canada) of newer portable-generator models, stating: "When first filling the recalled generator with gasoline, fuel can leak from the carburetor, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire or burn hazard." CPSC said Generac "has received 114 reports of generator fuel leaks. No injuries have been reported." The affected units were sold at Home Depot, Lowe's and other retailers from May 2025 through February 2026 for $600–$1,300.
Separately and still open as of Generac's most recent quarterly report (filed August 2026): on October 28, 2022, Generac Power received a federal grand jury subpoena (E.D. Mich.) tied to a DOJ enforcement investigation into the company's compliance with EPA/CARB emissions regulations for about 1,850 portable generators produced in 2019–2020; on October 3, 2025, the EPA notified the company it would seek to void 2020 emissions certifications covering roughly 4,850 additional units. Generac states it "is cooperating with the DOJ, EPA and CARB," has made voluntary self-disclosures to the EPA since 2024, and received a further EPA information request on May 12, 2026. This matter had not been reported as resolved as of the source checked.
- September 14, 2023 — Generac and DR Power portable generators (recall 23-288), fire and burn hazard. About 64,000 units of types GP15000E and GP17500E (and DR Power models) sold April 2011–June 2023: the fuel tank can fail to vent adequately from the rollover valve, build up pressure and expel fuel when opened. Generac reported 29 incidents, including three with severe burn injuries. Remedy: stop using the generator and contact Generac for a free repair kit (888-391-0503 or generac.com/GPenhancements).
- April 28, 2022 — Generac and DR Power electric start pressure washers (recall 22-127), carbon monoxide hazard. About 53,000 units sold February 2018–February 2022: the electronic start/stop button can malfunction and self-start. Nine reports of self-starting, no injuries. Remedy: stop using unless the rechargeable battery is removed, and have an authorized dealer replace the start/stop switch free of charge.
Company background
Generac Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K states: "Founded in 1959, Generac is a leading global designer, manufacturer, and provider of a wide range of energy technology solutions," serving "residential, commercial, data center, telecom, rental, and industrial markets." Generac Power Systems, Inc., the operating subsidiary that appears as the named party in most of the recalls, regulatory actions and lawsuits described on this page, is headquartered at S45W29290 Highway 59, Waukesha, Wisconsin, per its Better Business Bureau listing, which also records the company as incorporated June 24, 1959. Generac Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GNRC and files its financial and legal disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Aaron Jagdfeld is President and Chief Executive Officer, per both the BBB listing and Generac's SEC filings.
Generac's product range, per its own website, spans portable and home standby generators, solar power and battery storage (PWRcell), pressure washers and water pumps, EV chargers, and smart-home devices marketed as "Smart Home by ecobee" / "ecobee by Generac." ecobee Technologies, ULC is named as a separate corporate party (alongside Generac) in a patent-infringement judgment described below, indicating it operates as a distinct entity within the Generac group rather than merely a product line. A 2024 SEC filing also refers to "Generac and Powermate branded" portable generators, indicating Powermate is a brand Generac uses on some of its products.
Complaint record: USAComplaints, BBB and Trustpilot, reported separately
Several sources track complaints and reviews about Generac, and this page reports each separately rather than blending them into one figure:
- USAComplaints: 10 posts on this site are linked to Generac as the subject, dating from 2008 to 2012 (older, individual complaints about specific generator units, warranty disputes, and repair delays); this page found no ComplaintsBoard business profile dedicated to Generac as of the date checked.
- BBB (Generac Power Systems, Inc., Waukesha, WI, checked September 28, 2026): BBB Accredited since March 29, 2006, with a BBB Rating of A+. BBB's complaints tab shows 259 total complaints in the last three years, with 77 closed in the last 12 months. Separately, BBB's customer-review score is 1.21 out of 5 from 84 reviews. Recent complaints and reviews reviewed for this page describe: extended-warranty promotions denied for lack of a dated proof of purchase; PWRcell/solar-battery systems having their charge capacity or output remotely reduced by Generac via over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates while the company investigates a battery issue, with owners reporting extended loss of use; installation delays of weeks to months; and generators that repeatedly failed after installation, requiring multiple service visits. Generac's own responses (displayed on BBB) include: contesting that a registration or activation date can substitute for proof of purchase for promotional-warranty eligibility; approving a replacement generator or extended-warranty concession in some individual cases; and directing customers to their authorized service dealer for warranty diagnosis and parts-backorder status.
- Trustpilot (generac.com profile, checked September 28, 2026): TrustScore 1.8 out of 5 from 184 reviews (rated "Poor" by Trustpilot's own scale). Trustpilot's own annotations state Generac has "no recent history of asking for reviews" and "hasn't replied to negative reviews."
Because each source covers a different population, time window and methodology, none of these figures is added to or averaged with any other.
Lawsuits: the 2023 generator explosion, the PWRcell/SnapRS settlement, securities suits, and patent disputes
Generac Holdings Inc.'s SEC filings disclose the legal proceedings below; the items are drawn from the company's own 10-K/10-Q Commitments and Contingencies notes unless otherwise noted, and are allegations except where a settlement, judgment, or dismissal is stated.
Zawaski, et al. v. Generac Power Systems, Inc., et al. (Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas), filed December 5, 2023 by seven plaintiffs "for damages sustained in an accident involving a GP15000E portable generator that occurred on October 4, 2023." Generac's SEC filings do not describe the accident's nature; independent reporting (citing the court docket and plaintiffs' counsel) describes a generator explosion inside a work trailer at a Philadelphia construction site that injured six workers with serious burns, two of them initially in critical condition. On January 26, 2026, "the Company, together with other co-defendants, agreed to enter a settlement in principle to resolve all asserted claims, while denying any wrongdoing." Generac agreed to pay $104.5 million in addition to its excess insurance for the applicable policy year (a combined reserve of $206.5 million, with a $102 million insurance receivable); the payment was made on April 1, 2026.
In re: Generac Solar Power Systems Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 23-md-3078 (E.D. Wis.) — consolidated consumer class actions (the earliest, Haak v. Generac Power, filed October 28, 2022 in the Middle District of Florida) alleging breach of warranty and other claims over PWRcell "clean energy" solar/battery products, including an alleged SnapRS rapid-shutdown component defect. Generac "reserved for the contemplated $15,000,000 settlement fund" and "does not concede liability or any charges of wrongdoing." The settlement received preliminary court approval on January 13, 2026; per the official settlement site, the claim deadline (August 24, 2026) and the exclusion/objection deadline (July 20, 2026) have both passed, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2026.
Securities class actions (both dismissed): the Walling Lawsuit (W.D. Wis., filed November 21, 2023 by Christopher Walling as lead plaintiff) alleged securities-fraud claims tied to statements on financial outlook for a class period of May 3 to August 3, 2023; the court dismissed the amended complaint on February 3, 2026 for failure to adequately plead fraud. The Oakland County Lawsuit (E.D. Wis., filed December 1, 2022 by Oakland County Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association and Oakland County Employees' Retirement System) alleged securities-fraud claims over disclosures on clean-energy quality issues, channel-partner reliance, and warranty-reserve accounting; after an initial dismissal (Feb. 7, 2025) and an amended complaint, the court dismissed the amended complaint with prejudice on April 30, 2026 and entered final judgment for the company; plaintiffs have appealed. Related shareholder derivative actions (first filed February 3, 2023, E.D. Wis., and others since in state and federal courts) allege breach of fiduciary duty tied to the same underlying disclosures; Generac disputes the allegations and is defending them.
Patent and commercial disputes: in Ollnova Technologies Limited v. ecobee Technologies, ULC (E.D. Tex., No. 22-cv-00072-JRG), an $11.5 million judgment plus interest was entered against ecobee (Generac's smart-thermostat subsidiary) in March 2024; on June 4, 2026 the Federal Circuit vacated it and ordered a new trial, and Generac's Q2 2026 Form 10-Q says the parties then settled confidentially without an admission of liability, infringement, or wrongdoing. In Champion Power Equipment, Inc. v. Generac Power Systems, Inc. (E.D. Wis., No. 24-cv-01281-LA, filed October 9, 2024), Champion alleges Generac's dual/multi-fuel portable generators infringe its patents; Generac denies infringement and has counterclaimed over its own carbon-monoxide-detection and engine-shutoff patents; the case is active. Generac Power separately prevailed in an arbitration brought by contract manufacturer Spartronics Vietnam, Inc. (claims filed June 2023 alleging fraud and breach of a supply agreement); on August 18, 2025, Generac "prevailed in the defense of Spartronics' arbitration claims and substantially prevailed on its counterclaim," with a binding, non-appealable award of its legal fees.
Consumer class action over home standby generators (M.D. Fla., No. 24-cv-02412, filed October 18, 2024, amended to add plaintiffs) alleges defects in home standby generators sold 2020–2024 and asserts warranty, tort and statutory claims; the court has dismissed all claims against Generac Holdings and all non-Florida plaintiffs' claims against Generac Power for lack of personal jurisdiction, leaving only the Florida plaintiffs' breach-of-express-warranty claim against Generac Power; Generac disputes the remaining claims and contests class treatment. A newer case, Yafchak v. Generac Power Systems, Inc. (N.D. Ill., No. 1:26-cv-05559, filed May 13, 2026, as reported by ClassAction.org; not described in the Generac SEC filings reviewed for this page), alleges the same carburetor fuel-leak defect covered by the April 2026 CPSC recall and claims Generac has refused refunds, requiring owners to pursue repair instead.
Is Generac Power Systems Legitimate?
Generac Power Systems, Inc. is a real, long-operating manufacturer (BBB records it as incorporated in Wisconsin since 1959), and its parent, Generac Holdings Inc., is a publicly traded, SEC-reporting company (NYSE: GNRC) headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Generac has been the subject of CPSC-supervised safety recalls, including a $15.8 million civil penalty in 2023 for failing to promptly report a finger-amputation/crushing hazard, and a second, unrelated 2026 recall over a carburetor fuel-leak/fire hazard; it has also settled a $104.5 million product-liability lawsuit over a 2023 generator explosion and reserved $15 million to settle a class action over its PWRcell SnapRS component, while two securities-fraud class actions against the company were dismissed (one with prejudice, now on appeal). A DOJ/EPA/CARB inquiry into emissions-compliance for certain 2019–2020 portable generators remained open as of the company's most recent quarterly report. This page assigns Generac no rating, score, or "scam" label of its own; readers can weigh the regulatory and complaint record above, and Generac's own contact and recall-check channels, for themselves.
Court & Public Records
| Case | Authority | Dates | Type | Outcome | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPSC — In the Matter of Generac Power Systems, Inc. (civil penalty for late reporting of portable generator handle defect) Docket 23-C0002 | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (administrative proceeding) | Settled | Settled CPSC notified Generac on November 30, 2022 of its intent to recommend a civil penalty for failing to timely report, under the Consumer Product Safety Act, a handle defect in portable generators that had been the subject of a July 2021 recall. On May 3, 2023 the parties settled: Generac agreed to pay a $15,800,000 civil fine and to maintain a CPSA compliance program with three years of annual compliance reporting, that "the Agreement does not constitute an admission by Generac or a determination by the Commission that Generac violated the CPSA." CPSC's release states Generac had received reports of finger amputations/crushing from October 2018, and had only five reported finger-amputation incidents on file by the time it reported to CPSC. | Source | |
| Zawaski, et al. v. Generac Power Systems, Inc., et al. | Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, PA | Settled | Settled Seven plaintiffs sued over "damages sustained in an accident involving a GP15000E portable generator" on October 4, 2023, pursuing negligence, strict-liability and loss-of-consortium claims; independent reporting describes a generator explosion in a work trailer that injured six workers with serious burns. On January 26, 2026, Generac and co-defendants agreed to a settlement in principle "while denying any wrongdoing." Generac agreed to pay $104,500,000 in addition to its excess insurance for the applicable policy year (total reserve $206,500,000, insurance receivable $102,000,000); the payment was satisfied April 1, 2026. | Source | |
| In re: Generac Solar Power Systems Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (PWRcell SnapRS MDL) Docket No. 23-md-3078 | U.S. District Court, E.D. Wis. (Multidistrict Litigation) | Filed | Filed — no final outcome recorded Consolidated consumer class actions (earliest: Haak v. Generac Power, M.D. Fla., filed Oct. 28, 2022) alleging breach of warranty and other claims over PWRcell solar/battery products, including an alleged SnapRS component defect. Generac reserved a $15,000,000 settlement fund "without conceding liability." A proposed classwide settlement received preliminary court approval on January 13, 2026; per the settlement website, the claim deadline (Aug. 24, 2026) and exclusion/objection deadline (Jul. 20, 2026) have passed, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2026. Generac's Q2 2026 Form 10-Q says the parties will be seeking final approval and that Generac does not concede liability. The class covers current U.S. owners or primary users of affected systems bought before January 9, 2026 (per the settlement website). | Source | |
| Walling v. Generac Holdings Inc., et al. (securities class action) | U.S. District Court, W.D. Wis. | Dismissed | Dismissed Christopher Walling, as appointed lead plaintiff, alleged violations of federal securities law over statements on Generac's financial outlook and macroeconomic demand impact, for a proposed class of purchasers of Generac common stock between May 3 and August 3, 2023. On February 3, 2026, the court granted Generac's motion to dismiss the amended complaint, finding plaintiffs failed to adequately plead a securities-fraud claim. | Source | |
| Oakland County Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association, et al. v. Generac Holdings Inc., et al. (securities class action) | U.S. District Court, E.D. Wis. | Dismissed | Dismissed Oakland County pension plaintiffs alleged securities-fraud claims over disclosures on clean-energy product quality issues, reliance on channel partners, and warranty-reserve accounting. The court granted Generac's motion to dismiss on February 7, 2025 for inadequate pleading; plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on March 10, 2025. On April 30, 2026, the court granted Generac's motion to dismiss the amended complaint with prejudice, again finding the securities-fraud claim inadequately pled, and directed entry of final judgment for Generac. Plaintiffs have appealed. | Source | |
| Ollnova Technologies Limited v. ecobee Technologies, ULC (patent infringement) Docket No. 22-cv-00072-JRG | U.S. District Court, E.D. Tex. | Settled | Settled Ollnova, a non-practicing entity, alleged that ecobee Technologies, ULC (Generac's smart-thermostat subsidiary) infringed four patents. Following an October 5, 2023 jury verdict, the trial court entered an $11,500,000 judgment against ecobee on March 1, 2024, plus prejudgment and post-judgment interest. On June 4, 2026, the Federal Circuit vacated the judgment and ordered a new trial; according to Generac's Q2 2026 Form 10-Q, the parties then resolved the dispute through a confidential settlement agreement "without an admission of liability, infringement, or any wrongdoing." | Source | |
| Champion Power Equipment, Inc. v. Generac Power Systems, Inc. (patent infringement) Docket No. 24-cv-01281-LA | U.S. District Court, E.D. Wis. | Filed | Filed — no final outcome recorded Champion alleges certain Generac- and Powermate-branded dual/multi-fuel portable generators infringe its patents. Generac denies infringement and has counterclaimed that some Champion portable generators infringe Generac's own carbon-monoxide-detection and engine-shutoff patents; Champion in turn filed new infringement claims over its own CO-detection/shutoff technology. Both sides deny the other's claims; the case is active. | Source | |
| Dawson, et al. v. Generac Power Systems, Inc. (home standby generator defects, 2020-2024 models) Docket No. 24-cv-02412 | U.S. District Court, M.D. Fla. | Filed | Filed — no final outcome recorded Plaintiffs allege defects in home standby generators manufactured or sold to consumers from 2020-2024, asserting breach-of-warranty, tort-based and statutory claims. On December 29, 2025 the court (M.D. Fla. 8:24-cv-02412) granted the motion to dismiss in part: it dismissed the implied-warranty, misrepresentation, concealment, negligence and Florida FDUTPA claims with prejudice and other states' consumer-protection claims without prejudice, and terminated Generac Holdings Inc. The case proceeds only on the named Florida plaintiffs' breach-of-express-warranty claim, only as to 22kW and 24kW standby models, and only against Generac Power Systems, Inc. Generac disputes the remaining claim. | Source | |
| Spartronics Vietnam, Inc. v. Generac Power (arbitration — fraud/breach of supply agreement claims) | Arbitration (following state/federal court proceedings, Company motion to compel arbitration granted) | Judgment | Judgment entered Spartronics, a contract manufacturer for Generac's clean-energy products, alleged fraud, breach of its supply agreement, and tortious interference. After the company compelled arbitration, Spartronics filed its claims there and Generac counterclaimed. On August 18, 2025, "Generac Power prevailed in the defense of Spartronics' arbitration claims and substantially prevailed on its counterclaim seeking possession of pre-paid raw materials and owned tooling," and was awarded its legal fees; the award is binding and not subject to appeal. | Source | |
| Yafchak v. Generac Power Systems, Inc. (carburetor fuel-leak class action) Docket No. 1:26-cv-05559 | U.S. District Court, N.D. Ill. | Filed | Filed — no final outcome recorded Plaintiffs allege Generac misrepresented affected portable generators as durable while concealing the carburetor fuel-leak defect covered by CPSC's April 2026 recall, and that Generac has refused refunds, requiring owners to pursue repair instead. This case is reported here from ClassAction.org's coverage and the complaint it links; it is not described in the Generac SEC filings reviewed for this page, and its current status was not confirmed from a court order. | Source |
Company Relationships
- Subsidiary of: Generac Holdings Inc.
- Affiliated with: ecobee Technologies, ULC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Generac's corporate and regulatory background?
Generac Power Systems, Inc. is a real, long-operating manufacturer incorporated in Wisconsin since 1959 (per its BBB listing), and its parent Generac Holdings Inc. is a publicly traded, SEC-reporting company (NYSE: GNRC). It has faced CPSC recalls and a $15.8 million civil penalty over a portable-generator handle defect, a separate 2026 recall over a carburetor fuel-leak hazard, a $104.5 million product-liability settlement over a 2023 generator explosion, and a pending $15 million PWRcell/SnapRS class-action settlement, alongside two dismissed securities-fraud class actions. This page assigns Generac no rating or "scam" label of its own — the regulatory and complaint record above is reported so readers can weigh it themselves.
Is my Generac portable generator part of a recall?
There are three separate portable-generator recalls to check (Generac's recall lookup at generac.com/about/recalls/submission-request/ takes your serial number and ZIP code). The 2023 recall (23-288) covers about 64,000 GP15000E/GP17500E-type generators sold April 2011–June 2023 over a fuel-tank venting defect; contact Generac at 888-391-0503 for a free repair kit. The first (originally announced July 29, 2021, reannounced November 10, 2022) covers 6500-watt/8000-watt units (types XT8000E, XT8000EFI, GP6500, GP6500E, GP8000E, HomeLink 6500E, and DR PRO 6500M/6500E) sold June 2013–June 2021, over a handle that can pinch or amputate fingers; call Generac at 844-242-3493 for a free repair kit. The second (announced April 16, 2026) covers about 149,400 newer units sold May 2025–February 2026, over a carburetor fuel-leak/fire hazard; check your model and serial number at generac.com/about/recalls/GP-Carburetor or call 800-396-9951.
What did Generac pay the CPSC in fines?
On May 3, 2023, Generac Power Systems, Inc. agreed to pay a $15,800,000 civil penalty to settle CPSC charges that it failed to immediately report a finger-amputation/crushing defect in portable generators that were the subject of a July 2021 recall. Per Generac's own SEC filing, "the agreement does not constitute an admission by Generac or a determination by the CPSC that Generac violated the CPSA," and the settlement also required Generac to maintain a CPSA compliance program with three years of annual compliance reports.
What is the PWRcell SnapRS settlement, and can I still file a claim?
A multidistrict class action, In re: Generac Solar Power Systems Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 23-md-3078, E.D. Wis.), alleged a defect in the SnapRS rapid-shutdown component of Generac PWRcell solar/battery systems. Generac reserved a $15 million settlement fund without conceding liability. The settlement covers U.S. owners/primary users of PWRcell systems purchased before January 9, 2026. As of this writing, the claim deadline (August 24, 2026) and the exclusion/objection deadline (July 20, 2026) have both passed; the court's final approval hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2026. Check generacsnapsettlement.com for the current status of your claim or the final approval.
What happened in the 2023 Generac generator explosion lawsuit?
Seven plaintiffs sued Generac Power Systems, Inc. and others in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (Zawaski, et al. v. Generac Power Systems, Inc., et al.), filed December 5, 2023, over "damages sustained in an accident involving a GP15000E portable generator" on October 4, 2023. Generac's SEC filings do not describe the accident, but independent reporting citing the court record describes a generator explosion inside a work trailer at a Philadelphia-area construction site that injured six workers with serious burns. On January 26, 2026, Generac and co-defendants agreed to a settlement in principle while "denying any wrongdoing"; Generac agreed to pay $104.5 million plus its excess insurance, and the payment was made April 1, 2026.
Why was my extended-warranty promotion denied?
Multiple BBB complaints reviewed for this page describe Generac denying a promised free extended-warranty promotion because the customer could not produce a dated proof of purchase, even though the generator had been registered and activated. In Generac's own words in one BBB response: "A registration, activation, installation, or permit date does not independently verify the purchase date and cannot be accepted in place of valid proof of purchase." If you're relying on a promotional warranty, keep your original sales receipt or invoice, and register your product promptly at register.generac.com.
How do I register my Generac product or get warranty service?
Register a new Generac product at register.generac.com. For service, use Generac's support portal at support.generac.com/s/, request service for a home standby generator at generac.com/support/request-service-standby-generators/, or call Generac customer support at 888-436-3722 (888-GENERAC).
How do I contact Generac?
Generac's main customer support line is 888-436-3722 (888-GENERAC); its Better Business Bureau listing also shows a corporate office line, 262-544-4811. Generac's official website is generac.com, with dedicated pages for product registration (register.generac.com), support (support.generac.com/s/), and recall information (generac.com/about/recalls/).
Why did Generac remotely reduce my PWRcell battery capacity or shut down my system?
Several BBB complaints reviewed for this page describe Generac using an over-the-air (OTA) update to cap a PWRcell battery's state of charge (one complaint cites an 80% cap) or to disable a system entirely while Generac investigated a reported battery issue, in some cases for weeks. This is separate from the PWRcell SnapRS class-action settlement described elsewhere on this page, which concerns a different, previously litigated component defect. If your system has been capped or shut down, Generac's stated process (per its BBB responses) is to open a case with its Customer Solutions team; ask for a specific timeline and case-manager contact if you are not receiving updates.