Piaggio Recalls Vespa and Fly 50 Scooters Due to Ignition Fire Risk
Piaggio is recalling specific Vespa and Fly 50 scooters because a failing ignition control unit may cause engine backfires and increase the risk of a fire.
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 (fire risk) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the 'High' severity criteria in the rubric.
Plain-English summary
Piaggio USA, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Vespa S50, 2010-2012 Vespa LX50, and 2011-2012 Fly 50 scooters. The recall addresses a defect in the ignition control unit, which may fail and alter the ignition timing.
Improper ignition timing may cause an engine backfire into the airbox, increasing the risk of a fire. The source text does not report any specific injuries, deaths, or property damage associated with this defect.
Piaggio will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition control unit free of charge. The safety recall was expected to begin on or before January 17, 2012. Owners may contact Piaggio Customer Care at 212-380-4433 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- VESPA, PIAGGIO S50, LX50, FLY 50
- Brand
- VESPA
- Manufacturer
- PIAGGIO USA, INC.
- Category
- Vehicle — Scooter
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 2,147
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (3)
- S50
- LX50
- FLY 50
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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- Severe