Bike passenger trailers

CPSC Recall #98-089 — March 30, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-089
Recall DateMarch 30, 1998
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 450

Where It Was Sold

Small independent bicycle shops in Washington
Oregon
Northern California
Idaho and Colorado sold the trailers from January 1997 through February 1998 for about $200 to $350.

Product

Bike passenger trailers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Norco Products USA, of Tukwila, Wash., is recalling about 450 bike passenger trailers for repair. Metal fatigue could cause failure at the hitch arm pivot bracket, resulting in the trailer breaking loose from the bicycle, causing injury to the occupant of the trailer. Norco Products is not aware of any injuries involving these trailers. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. These trailers are designed to carry one or two children behind a bicycle. This recall includes Norco Stagecoach, Norco Rambler, Norco Tot Taxi, Axiom Firefly and Bike Mate Trailer models with a folding arm. The model name is located on the back of the trailer in 2-inch letters. Small independent bicycle shops in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho and Colorado sold the trailers from January 1997 through February 1998 for about $200 to $350. Consumers should stop using these bike trailers immediately and call the store where purchased or Norco Products to arrange to have a safety upgrade kit installed at no charge. For the location of the nearest store or for more information, consumers should call Norco at (800) 663-8916 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday.

Hazard

Metal fatigue could cause failure at the hitch arm pivot bracket, resulting in the trailer breaking loose from the bicycle, causing injury to the occupant of the trailer.

Incidents & Injuries

Norco Products is not aware of any injuries involving these trailers.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these bike trailers immediately and call the store where purchased or Norco Products to arrange to have a safety upgrade kit installed at no charge.

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.