Hill Topper Electric Bike motor controller circuit board
CPSC Recall #18-200 — August 2, 2018
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 18-200 |
| Recall Date | August 2, 2018 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 3,350 |
| Manufacturer | Suzhou Kunteng Electronics Co., LTD. |
| Importer | Clean Republic SODO LLC, dba “UKKO,” Seattle, Wash. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Hill Topper’s Seattle store and online at www.electric-bike-kit.com from January 2017 through June 2018 for $50 (24V/250W units) to $60 (36V/350W units) and for between $500 and $800 when sold with the kits. |
Product
Hill Topper Electric Bike motor controller circuit board
Description
This recall involves Hill Topper Electric Bike Kits with motor controller circuit boards used to convert regular bicycles to electric bicycles. The motor controller circuit boards, 24V/250W and 36V/350W, were sold separately as well as part of the kits. The model numbers KT24WSH-BF08 and KT36WSH-BFZ13504 can be found on the front of the motor control units.
Hazard
Water can enter the motor controller and cause it to accelerate on its own, posing a crash and injury hazard to the rider.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received six reports of a rider losing control of his bike when the motor accelerated without rider input, including one reported injury resulting in scrapes and bruises to the rider.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled motor controller circuit boards and kits and contact the firm for a free replacement motor controller circuit board.
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.