Bicycle front suspension forks

CPSC Recall #99-080 — March 16, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-080
Recall DateMarch 16, 1999
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedAbout 3,300
ManufacturerDah Ken Industrial Co. Ltd., of Taiwan, R.O.C.
ImporterRST USA, of Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Manufactured InTaiwan

Where It Was Sold

Authorized RST USA bicycle dealers nationwide sold these forks between February 1997 and October 1998 for about $400. These forks also were sold on Haro
GT
Giant and Marin bicycles.

Product

Bicycle front suspension forks

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dah Ken Industrial Co. Ltd., of Taiwan, R.O.C., and RST USA, of Aliso Viejo, Calif., voluntarily recalled about 3,300 bicycle front suspension forks. These forks can break apart, causing the rider to lose control, resulting in serious injury. CPSC and RST USA are aware of two reports of these forks breaking apart while in use. Injuries to riders include a broken nose, facial abrasions and lacerations, and broken teeth. These Hi-5 and Hi-5 MOZO front suspension forks, which are used on mountain bikes, were sold in red, dark gray, purple, yellow, orange and silver colors. These forks have stickers on both fork legs reading, "RST Hi-5" or "RST Hi-5 MOZO." Authorized RST USA bicycle dealers nationwide sold these forks between February 1997 and October 1998 for about $400. These forks also were sold on Haro, GT, Giant and Marin bicycles. Consumers should stop riding bicycles equipped with these recalled suspension forks immediately. As the firm conducting the recall, RST USA, is out of business, replacement forks are no longer available. Dah Ken Industrial Co. Ltd. manufactured these front suspension forks, and RST USA imported and distributed them in the United States.

Hazard

These forks can break apart, causing the rider to lose control, resulting in serious injury.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and RST USA are aware of two reports of these forks breaking apart while in use. Injuries to riders include a broken nose, facial abrasions and lacerations, and broken teeth.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop riding bicycles equipped with these recalled suspension forks immediately. As the firm conducting the recall, RST USA, is out of business, replacement forks are no longer available.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available 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 (Dispose, No Remedy Available) 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.