The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·11235·Announced 2011-05-31

Bell Sports Recalls Full-Face Bicycle Helmets Due to Buckle Failure

Bell Sports is recalling full-face bicycle helmets because the plastic chinstrap buckle can fail, posing a head injury hazard.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (head injury) where injury has been reported but no fatalities or serious injuries requiring hospitalization are explicitly stated, fitting the 'High' criteria for risk-of-harm products.

Plain-English summary

Bell Sports is recalling approximately 31,100 full-face bicycle helmets in the United States and 2,500 in Canada. The recall involves Bell Exodus full-face helmets with a plastic buckle on the chinstrap, sold in youth sizes. The specific models affected are Orange/Grey/Black (Part/Model 1003825/035011898025) and Blue/Grey/Gold/White/Black (Part/Model 1006714/035011917719). These helmets were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and on Amazon.com between August 2009 and March 2011 for between $50 and $60.

The plastic buckle that connects the chin straps can fail, causing the helmet to come off the wearer's head during a fall. This poses a head injury hazard to riders. The firm has received one report of a buckle failing during an accident, resulting in an injury that required stitches below the wearer's eye.

Consumers should stop using the helmets immediately. They can contact Bell Sports for a replacement or refund by calling toll-free at (866) 892-6059 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, emailing [email protected], or visiting www.bellsports.com.

The recalled product

Product
Full-face bicycle helmets
Manufacturer
Bell Sports, of Scotts Valley, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Sports Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
31,100

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

UPCs (2)

  • 035011898025
  • 035011917719

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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