Go-karts sold under the Manco, Phoenix, Fox, Rattler and Coyote labels
CPSC Recall #00-163 — August 13, 2000
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 00-163 |
| Recall Date | August 13, 2000 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 91,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Outdoor power equipment dealers; specialty |
| discount |
| hardware |
| automotive parts supply and agricultural supply stores; and motorcycle dealers sold the go-karts nationwide from January 1983 through July 2000 for between $600 and $2 |
| 000. |
Product
Go-karts sold under the Manco, Phoenix, Fox, Rattler and Coyote labels
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Manco Products Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind., is recalling about 91,000 go-karts for repair. These go-karts have guards designed to help prevent entanglements, but riders' long hair or loose clothing still can become entangled in partially exposed rotating components behind the drivers' seats, causing death or serious injury. Manco Products has received a report of one death and two reports of serious injuries when teenage girls' long hair became entangled in the rotating components. It was reported that a 13-year-old girl from Idaho, died from a fractured neck when her hair got caught in the drive chain and sprocket of a go-kart she was driving. Another 13-year-old girl suffered a scalping injury, and a 16-year-old girl lost consciousness and suffered severe head trauma.These one- and two-seat go-karts are powered by gasoline engines. They were sold under the Manco, Phoenix, Fox, Rattler and Coyote labels. Most have brush bars to protect riders from low tree branches and other foliage. The recall involves two groups of go-karts. The first group has black plastic deck covers over the rear axle and brake. Their serial numbers are within the following ranges: 1757022 through 1855821, and 3000010 through 3050632. The second group of go-karts have a cross-over jackshaft drive system. These go-karts have serial numbers lower than 1757022. All the go-karts have a black serial number on a silver label located on the floor pan immediately in front of the driver's seat. Outdoor power equipment dealers; specialty, discount, hardware, automotive parts supply and agricultural supply stores; and motorcycle dealers sold the go-karts nationwide from January 1983 through July 2000 for between $600 and $2,000.Consumers should stop using these go-karts immediately and call Manco for a free repair kit with instructions for easy installation. Consumers also can contact any Manco dealer to get free installation of the repair kit. For more information, call Manco at (800) 293-0795 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at http://www.mancoprod.com/recall.htm. In cooperation with CPSC, Manco Products previously recalled go-karts in 1996 because their rear axles were exposed. One child died and two others were seriously injured when their hair or clothing became entangled in the rotating rear axles. The cross-over jackshaft-type go- karts, which were part of this earlier recall, are included in the current recall. Manco will provide guards for both recalls if needed. Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (transcript). This is in "streaming video" format.
Hazard
These go-karts have guards designed to help prevent entanglements, but riders' long hair or loose clothing still can become entangled in partially exposed rotating components behind the drivers' seats, causing death or serious injury.
Incidents & Injuries
Manco Products has received a report of one death and two reports of serious injuries when teenage girls' long hair became entangled in the rotating components. It was reported that a 13-year-old girl from Idaho, died from a fractured neck when her hair got caught in the drive chain and sprocket of a go-kart she was driving. Another 13-year-old girl suffered a scalping injury, and a 16-year-old girl lost consciousness and suffered severe head trauma.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these go-karts immediately and call Manco for a free repair kit with instructions for easy installation. Consumers also can contact any Manco dealer to get free installation of the repair kit.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) 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.