Cobra S handlebar stems
CPSC Recall #17-147 — May 9, 2017
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 17-147 |
| Recall Date | May 9, 2017 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 9,700 in the U.S. (135 were sold in Canada) |
| Importer | Profile Design LLC, of Carson, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| Independent bicycle stores nationwide from January 2007 through December 2013 for about $200 for the stem sold individually and between $2 |
| 000 and $6 |
| 000 for bicycles sold with the stems as original equipment. |
Product
Cobra S handlebar stems
Description
This recall involves Profile Design Cobra S carbon-wrapped black handlebar stems sold individually and as original equipment on the following Kestrel, Fuji, Jamis and Scott bicycle models: 2009 Kestrel Talon SL Tri Ultegra , 2009 Kestrel Evoke SL, 2009 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL, 2009 Kestrel Talon SL, 2010 Kestrel Talon SL Tri- Ultegra, 2010 Kestrel Talon Tri- Force, 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL / Airfoil Pro SL (650c), 2010 Kestrel Talon Road SL, 2010 Kestrel 4000 SL, Fuji 2009 D-6 Pro, Fuji 2010 D-6 Pro, Fuji 2010 D-6 Matt Reed, Jamis 2010 Xenith T2, Scott 2008 CR1 Plasma LTD (model# 209562), Scott 2009 Plasma Premium (model # 212052) and Scott 2010 Plasma Premium (model # 215722). The stems were sold in seven lengths or sizes including 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 110 mm and 120 mm. “Profile Design” and “Cobra S” are printed in white on the black handlebar stems. Only black stems are included in this recall.
Hazard
The bicycle handlebar stems can corrode and break, causing the rider to lose control and crash.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received at least 10 reports of the bicycle handlebar stems corroding and breaking, including one report of an injury to a rider when the bicycle stem broke causing the rider to lose control.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using bicycles with the recalled handlebar stems and contact Profile Design for instructions to receive a free replacement stem.
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.
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.