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

Note: Phone number change.

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

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.