Recall: Huffy Bicycle Company Recalls 20-Inch, 24-Inch, And 26-Inch Bicycles

Note: Phone number change.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Originally issued July 27, 1993, Revised August 13, 2008

(301) 504-7908

Release # 93-097

 

Huffy Bicycle Company Recalls 20-Inch, 24-Inch, And 26-Inch Bicycles

PRODUCT: Almost 14,000 men's and women's 20-, 24-, and 26- inch Huffy bicycles distributed under the "Huffy" or "Sears Free Spirit" trademark. The affected bicycles were manufactured and distributed nationwide between February 1993 and March 1993. Affected models are listed on the attached news release.

PROBLEM: Affected bicycles have a defect that may cause the plastic hand brake levers to break during use. If the lever breaks, the rider could fail to stop and fall from the bicycle. The bicycles also fail to meet the Federal Bicycle Standard that requires the hand brake levers to withstand a force up to 100 pounds.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers who have an affected model should call the Huffy Bicycle Company at 888-366-3828 for free replacement brake levers. Consumers who do not wish to replace the levers themselves can ask for the location of the nearest Huffy Bicycle Company Authorized Service Center where the bicycle can be taken for a free inspection and brake lever replacement. Consumers should discontinue using affected bicycles until brake levers are replaced.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Huffy Bicycle Company, a division of Huffy Corporation, Dayton, OH is voluntarily recalling approximately 14,000 men's and women's 20-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch bicycles, manufactured and distributed nationwide between February 17, 1993 and March 15, 1993.

During routine testing, Huffy found some of the bicycles' plastic hand brake levers contained a defect that may cause the levers to break during use. If the brake lever breaks, the rider could fail to stop and risk potential injury. The Federal Bicycle Standard requires that hand brake levers withstand a force up to 100 pounds.

The bicycle models that have the defective levers bear either the "Huffy" or the "Sears Free Spirit" trademark. Models that may contain defective brake levers are identified by the model number and date of manufacture listed below. The date of manufacture code and model number are embossed into the crank housing of each bicycle.

MODELS THAT MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE BRAKE LEVERS

Model

Model Numbers,
Size and Name

K4522

24" Z24

K4532

24" Mont Claire

K4562

24" Night Heat

K4572

24" Highland

K4583

24" Sledge Hammer

K6613

26" Expedition

K6662

26" Titanium

K6672

26" Titanium

14642

24" Wild Slide

14652

24" Wild Slide

16653

26" Fastback

23583

20" Sledge Hammer

24253

24" Laurel Bay

24522

24" Mudslinger

24523

24" Snake River

24532

24" Double Take

24533

24" Pasadena

24563

24" Swamp Water

24603

24" Mojave Gulch

24612

24" Regatta

24613

24" Mojave Gulch

24623

24" Megaforce

24643

24" Z18

24653

24" Z18

26223

26" Silhouette

26622

26" Mojave Gulch

26623

26" Mojave Gulch

26632

26" Mojave Gulch

26643

26" Fire Mountain

26671

26" Stalker LX

26683

26" Thunder Ridge

26693

26" Thunder Ridge

34213

24" Essence

34253

24" Tropic Bay

34533

24" Street Heat

34563

24" Jack Hammer

34583

24" Shock Treatment

34603

24" Dirt Thrower

34613

24" Regatta

36612

26" Destroyer

36632

26" Mojave Ridge

36683

24" Sledge Hammer

44523

24" Force One

45533

24" Paradise

45543

24" Bull Run

44613

24" Regatta

44653

24" Z-18

44663

24" Tidal Water

46523

26" Cherokee

46533

26" Cherokee

46643

26" Snake Rock

46672

26" Key West

54602

24" Mt. Storm

54613

24" Mt. Storm

56563

26" America

56573

26" America

56603

26" Mt. Storm

56613

26" Mt. Storm

74533

24" Wild River

74623

24" Ultra Force

76683EF

26" Thunder Ridge

76693J

26" Thunder Ridge

76693EF

26" Thunder Ridge

84612

24" Key Largo

84623

24" Stomper 2

86203

26" Cross II

86213

26" Cross II

24583

24" Sledge Hammer

16643

26" Fastback

24233

24" Beverly Hills

26233

26" Silhouette

26603

26" Rock Trail

26613

26" Rock Trail

86623

26" Sandy Creek

86633

26" Sandy Creek

86673

26" Black Bear



Date of manufacture codes that contain the defective brake levers are: 90483, 90493, 90503, 90533, 90543, 90553, 90563, 90573, 90603, 90613, 90623, 90633, 90643, 90673, 90683, 90693, 90703, 90713, and 90743.

Some of the bicycles with the above date codes and model numbers were tested by Huffy and determined to have complying brake levers. These models have an American flag approval label with the "Huffy" name on a black background located high on the seat mast.

Consumers who have both a bicycle model and a date of manufacture code date listed above and no American flag approval label on the bicycle should Call Huffy Bicycle Company at 888-366-3828 to receive replacement brake levers free of charge. Consumers who do not wish to replace the levers themselves can ask for the location of the nearest Huffy Bicycle Company Authorized Service Center where the bicycle can be taken for free inspection and brake lever replacement. Consumers should discontinue using affected bicycles until brake levers are replaced.

Neither CPSC nor Huffy Bicycle Company is aware of any injuries involving these bicycles; this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The potentially hazardous bicycles were reported to CPSC by Huffy Bicycle Company.

CPSC is announcing this replacement program as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.