The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·78075·Announced 1978-09-20

J.C. Penney Recalls Bicycles With Defective Pedal Cranks

J.C. Penney is recalling approximately 33,500 bicycles sold in 1977 and 1978 because defective pedal cranks may break, posing a risk of serious injury to riders.

What this means for you

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 where a laceration injury has been reported, but no fatalities or serious injuries are explicitly documented in the source text, fitting the 'High' severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

The J.C. Penney Co., Inc. is recalling approximately 33,500 bicycles marketed under the "J.C. Penney" brand name in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recalled bicycles are derailleur-type, 24-, 26-, and 27-inch, low-speed, lightweight models painted light tan or dark grey. These vehicles were manufactured in 1977 and 1978 and sold in J.C. Penney retail and catalog stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The recall is due to a potential defect in the pedal crank, which could break and result in serious injury to the rider. One bike sold under the Penney's name was associated with a laceration injury that occurred when the pedal crank broke.

Consumers can identify the affected bicycles by looking for specific numbers on the outside of the left, rear, metal axle plate where the wheel is attached. The axle plate numbers are 2131A2, 2141A2, 2180Al, or 2181Al. Light tan bikes are imprinted with catalog numbers 927-3525, 927-3533, 927-7070, 927-7088, 927-7096, 927-7104, or 927-7112, while dark grey bicycles bear catalog number 927-7120. Consumers should contact a J.C. Penney store or catalog center for a free inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the pedal crank.

The recalled product

Product
JC Penney bicycles
Manufacturer
JC Penney

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.