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Bionic Crampons (used for ice climbing)

CPSC Recall #03-539 — April 8, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-539
Recall DateApril 8, 2003
Remedy TypeReplace
Units Affected150 pairs
ManufacturerBlack Diamond Equipment, of Salt Lake City, Utah
Manufactured InSalt Lake City, Utah

Where It Was Sold

Mountaineering and climbing stores that are Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. dealers and the Black Diamond website sold these crampons from September 2002 through March 2003 for about $180.

Product

Bionic Crampons (used for ice climbing)

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Black Diamond Equipment, of Salt Lake City, Utah is voluntarily recalling about 150 pairs of Bionic Crampons (used for ice climbing). The Front rail of the crampon could be improperly heat-treated and toe points could bend resulting in malfunction of the crampon.Name of product: Bionic Crampons (used for ice climbing)Units: 150 pairsManufacturer: Black Diamond Equipment, of Salt Lake City, UtahHazard: Front rail of crampon could be improperly heat-treated and toe points could bend resulting in malfunction of the crampon.Incidents/Injuries: Black Diamond has received 13 reports of crampon rails bending. No injuries were reported.Description: The Bionic-model Crampons have product date codes of 1360, 2235, or 2250 written on the top of the crampon steel adjustment strap.Sold at: Mountaineering and climbing stores that are Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. dealers and the Black Diamond website sold these crampons from September 2002 through March 2003 for about $180.Manufactured in: Salt Lake City, UtahRemedy: Consumers should return to Black Diamond Equipment for hardness inspection, and the front rail will be replaced if needed. For more information, call Black Diamond at (801) 278-5533 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.bdel.com.

Hazard

Front rail of crampon could be improperly heat-treated and toe points could bend resulting in malfunction of the crampon.

Incidents & Injuries

Black Diamond has received 13 reports of crampon rails bending. No injuries were reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should return to Black Diamond Equipment for hardness inspection, and the front rail will be replaced if needed.

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.

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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.

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