Go-Karts with Exposed Rear Axles
CPSC Recall #97-118 — May 5, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-118 |
| Recall Date | May 5, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Replace, Repair |
| Units Affected | Over 122,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Outdoor power equipment |
| specialty |
| lawn and garden |
| hardware |
| furniture |
| motorcycle |
| and department stores |
| as well as Harbor Freight mail order catalogue |
| sold these go-karts nationwide from August 1976 through March 1997 for about $500 to $2 |
| 500. |
Product
Go-Karts with Exposed Rear Axles
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), six go-kart manufacturers are recalling for repair over 122,000 go-karts with exposed rear axles. Riders can be seriously injured or killed if their long hair or clothing becomes entangled in the rotating rear axle.Since July 1996, CPSC and two manufacturers have announced recalls for repair of about 305,000 go-karts with this entanglement hazard. The manufacturers participating in this recall have identified other go-karts with this same hazard.Since July 1996, CPSC has received reports of one child who died and two children who were seriously injured in go-karts. The go-karts involved in these incidents were recalled by another manufacturer last year. CPSC has also received one report in which an adult alleges that she was seriously injured when her hair became entangled in the rotating rear axle of a T&D Metal Products go-kart.The one- and two-seat go-karts are powered by gasoline engines. All go-karts with an exposed rear axle are involved in this repair program. To determine whether the rear axle is exposed, consumers should stand behind the go-kart, with the engine off, and push the go-kart by hand. If consumers can see the axle connecting the two rear wheels rotating, the go-kart is subject to this repair program.The manufacturers listed below are participating in this repair program to improve the safety of these go-karts.ManufacturerBrand LabelsModel and Serial NumbersQuantity Avenger Inc.400 Horseshoe Lake Rd.Monroe, LA 71203Firm out of businessYellow JacketModel Number: SST83 Bob's Kart ShopRoute 2, Box 30Sheridan, IL 60551Collect (815) 496-2820Grasshoper,T.C. Go-Fur,and Ground Hawg 7,000 Kartco Inc.P.O. Box 110Sebastopol, MS 39359(800) 621-2789Kartco and RoadbossModel Number: 445750 Ken-Bar Mfg.P.O. Box 569Cornelia, GA(800) 241-3557Streaker, Sand Dog,Salute to America,Scorpion, and MudHogModel Numbers:DD7, DD8, D680, D710, D720, D780, D790, D810, D840, S465, SC7, STA8, STA9, and SD11Serial Numbers:001 to 10000075,000 Minat Inc.115 East Front St.Annawan, IL 61234Firm out of businessU.S. Eagle SeriesModel Numbers:Eagle I and Eagle II200 T&D Metal ProductsP.O. Box 73Watseka, IL 60970(888) 527-7787Klipper Karts,ProKart, Pathwinder, Kool Kart Campout,and Bird MfgSerial Numbers:EM001 to EM029and0030 to 3912639,000Outdoor power equipment, specialty, lawn and garden, hardware, furniture, motorcycle, and department stores, as well as Harbor Freight mail order catalogue, sold these go-karts nationwide from August 1976 through March 1997 for about $500 to $2,500.Consumers should stop using these go-karts immediately and contact the appropriate manufacturer to receive a free axle guard kit with instructions for easy installation. If the manufacturer is out of business or if consumers are not sure of the go-kart manufacturer or have questions about this recall, they should call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.
Hazard
Riders can be seriously injured or killed if their long hair or clothing becomes entangled in the rotating rear axle.
Incidents & Injuries
Since July 1996, CPSC has received reports of one child who died and two children who were seriously injured in go-karts. The go-karts involved in these incidents were recalled by another manufacturer last year. CPSC has also received one report in which an adult alleges that she was seriously injured when her hair became entangled in the rotating rear axle of a T&D Metal Products go-kart.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these go-karts immediately and contact the appropriate manufacturer to receive a free axle guard kit with instructions for easy installation.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace, 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 (Replace, 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.