Go-Karts with Exposed Rear Axles
CPSC Recall #96-167 — July 15, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-167 |
| Recall Date | July 15, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 300,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Outdoor power equipment stores |
| specialty stores |
| department stores |
| and hardware stores sold Manco labeled go-karts nationwide from January 1972 through June 1996 for about $600 to $2 |
| 000. Sears |
| Roebuck & Co. sold the go-karts under the Sears name from 1977 to 1983. Western Auto has sold the go-karts under the "Phoenix" label since 1987. Manco has sold the karts under the "Fox" label since 1990. |
Product
Go-Karts with Exposed Rear Axles
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Manco Products Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind., is recalling for repair approximately 300,000 go-karts with exposed rear axles. Riders can be seriously injured or killed if their long, loose hair or clothing becomes entangled on the rotating axle. One child died and two others were seriously injured when their hair or clothing became entangled on the rotating rear axles of Manco go-karts. The children ranged in age from eight to 11 years old. The one- and two-seat go-karts are powered by gasoline engines. Some models have brush bars to protect riders from low tree branches and other foliage. Each go-kart has a black serial number on a white label located on the floor pan immediately in front of the driver's seat. All Manco go-karts with an exposed "live" rear axle are involved in this recall. To determine whether their go-kart is involved in this recall, consumers should stand behind the kart, with the engine off, and push the go-kart by hand. If the axle connecting the two rear wheels rotates, the go-kart is subject to this recall. Outdoor power equipment stores, specialty stores, department stores, and hardware stores sold Manco labeled go-karts nationwide from January 1972 through June 1996 for about $600 to $2,000. Sears, Roebuck & Co. sold the go-karts under the Sears name from 1977 to 1983. Western Auto has sold the go-karts under the "Phoenix" label since 1987. Manco has sold the karts under the "Fox" label since 1990. Consumers should stop using the recalled go-karts immediately and contact Manco at (800) 293-0795. Consumers should provide the model number and serial number of the kart when calling. Manco will send consumers a free axle guard kit with instructions for easy installation. Consumers can also contact the Manco dealer from which their go-kart was purchased for free installation of the axle guard kit.
Hazard
Riders can be seriously injured or killed if their long, loose hair or clothing becomes entangled on the rotating axle.
Incidents & Injuries
One child died and two others were seriously injured when their hair or clothing became entangled on the rotating rear axles of Manco go-karts. The children ranged in age from eight to 11 years old.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled go-karts immediately and contact Manco at (800) 293-0795. Consumers should provide the model number and serial number of the kart when calling. Manco will send consumers a free axle guard kit with instructions for easy installation. Consumers can also contact the Manco dealer from which their go-kart was purchased for free installation of the axle guard 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.