Cannondale "FX 400" and "Cannibal" All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

CPSC Recall #01-517 — August 15, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-517
Recall DateAugust 15, 2001
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 630

Where It Was Sold

Cannondale dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from February 2001 through mid-July 2001 for between $7
000 and $8
000.

Product

Cannondale "FX 400" and "Cannibal" All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

Description

PRODUCT: All-Terrain Vehicles - Cannondale Corp., of Bethel, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 630 model year 2001 and 2002 All-Terrain Vehicles. The Cannondale "FX 400" and Cannondale "Cannibal" are four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The FX 400 and Cannibal models have "Cannondale" and "FX 400" or "Cannibal" on both sides of the vehicle. Cannondale appears on the rear fenders and bodywork of the vehicle; "Cannibal" appears roughly inboard of the operator's knee location; "FX400" appears on the seat of the vehicle. Cannondale dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from February 2001 through mid-July 2001 for between $7,000 and $8,000.PROBLEM: The ball joints in the A-arm assembly on these vehicles can break, which could cause the front wheels to lose stability. Also, the tie-rod assemblies on these vehicles can break or work loose, and damage either the steering column plate end or knuckle. If the ball joints or a tie rod end breaks, the operator can lose control of the vehicle during use and crash.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Cannondale Corp. has received five reports of the ball joints in the A-arm assembly on these ATVs breaking and two reports of the tie-rod ends breaking. One consumer suffered a concussion and another suffered a bruised shoulder.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop riding these ATVs and contact their local Cannondale dealer to schedule an appointment to have the ball joints and tie-rod assemblies replaced free of charge. If possible, consumers should contact the dealer where they purchased their ATV. For more information, contact Cannondale toll free at (877) DLR-MOTO (357- 6686) between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m ET Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Saturday, and between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET Sunday. Consumers also can visit the firm's web site at www.Cannondale.com. Owners of these ATVs were directly notified about this recall.

Hazard

The ball joints in the A-arm assembly on these vehicles can break, which could cause the front wheels to lose stability. Also, the tie-rod assemblies on these vehicles can break or work loose, and damage either the steering column plate end or knuckle. If the ball joints or a tie rod end breaks, the operator can lose control of the vehicle during use and crash.

Incidents & Injuries

Cannondale Corp. has received five reports of the ball joints in the A-arm assembly on these ATVs breaking and two reports of the tie-rod ends breaking. One consumer suffered a concussion and another suffered a bruised shoulder.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop riding these ATVs and contact their local Cannondale dealer to schedule an appointment to have the ball joints and tie-rod assemblies replaced free of charge. If possible, consumers should contact the dealer where they purchased their ATV.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.