Founding Partner
A large recall has been issued for a popular series of children’s bicycles after federal safety officials determined that the bikes may have defective coaster brakes. The issue could cause young riders to lose control, creating a significant safety concern.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Trek Bicycle Corporation is recalling about sixty-eight thousand bikes sold in the United States. Another six thousand eight hundred units were distributed in Canada. The agency reported that the coaster brakes on certain models may fail to engage, which could prevent the rider from slowing down or stopping properly. No injuries have been reported so far.
The recall includes multiple versions of Trek’s Precaliber bicycles in twelve, sixteen and twenty inch sizes. It also affects the Electra Townie Rental 1 Step Thru and the Electra Sprocket 1 16. Trek is additionally recalling replacement rear wheels equipped with the same type of coaster brake that were sold separately for these models.
The affected bikes were sold between August 2023 and September 2025 at authorized Trek and Electra retailers throughout the country, as well as online. Prices ranged from three hundred to six hundred sixty dollars, while replacement wheels sold for between sixty-six and seventy-seven dollars. A wide variety of colors were available, including red, blue, pink, yellow, green and several others. The bicycles were manufactured in China and imported to the United States by Trek, which is headquartered in Wisconsin.
Trek is advising families to stop using the recalled bicycles immediately. Free repairs are available at any authorized Trek or Electra dealership. Owners can confirm whether their bike is included by entering the serial number into Trek’s online recall lookup tool.
Can I file a lawsuit if my child was injured because the brakes failed?
Yes. If a defective coaster brake caused a crash or loss of control, you may have grounds for a product liability claim. These claims can pursue compensation for medical costs, emotional trauma, long-term injuries, damaged clothing or gear and other financial losses. Even minor injuries from a bicycle malfunction should be evaluated because safety defects involving children are taken very seriously under the law.
Do I still have a case if Trek has not reported any injuries yet?
Absolutely. The absence of reported injuries does not prevent individual victims from bringing claims. Many companies only report incidents submitted directly to them, and consumers often do not file formal complaints. If your child was hurt before the recall was announced or before you learned about the defect, you may still pursue a claim.
What if the bike did not crash but the brakes failed during riding?
A brake malfunction alone can justify a claim for economic losses or safety-related damages. Sudden failures during riding create a risk of harm, fear of a crash, and loss of use of the bicycle. If the bike or replacement wheel is defective, you may recover compensation for the purchase price, repair costs or other related expenses.
Are replacement wheels with faulty coaster brakes included in potential claims?
Yes. Replacement rear wheels sold with the same defective brake mechanism are part of the recall. If the wheel assembly failed or contributed to a crash, it may be treated the same as a defective bicycle. Owners should preserve the wheel and any damaged parts.
Who may be liable for a defective children’s bicycle?
Several parties may share responsibility, including Trek Bicycle Corporation, the manufacturer of the coaster brake, the importer and any distributors involved in selling the bike. Liability can also extend to retailers that sold the product if they continued to sell affected models after safety concerns were known.
What evidence should I keep for a potential lawsuit?
Keep the bicycle, the wheels, all receipts, photographs of the damage, medical records, witness statements and any correspondence with Trek or the retailer. Do not discard damaged parts. Even if the bike is no longer safe to ride, store it securely until an attorney reviews it.
Is there a deadline to file a lawsuit?
Yes. All states have statutes of limitation that limit how long families have to file product liability claims. Because these cases involve children, some states allow extended time. However, it is important to begin the process quickly to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.
Do I qualify even if I already received a repair through the recall?
Yes. A recall repair does not prevent you from filing a lawsuit for injuries or financial losses that occurred before the repair. Free repairs address the defect but do not compensate families for medical bills, missed work, emotional distress or crash-related damages.
Can parents in Canada pursue claims?
In many situations, yes. Because the recall covers thousands of bikes sold in Canada, families there may also have legal options under Canadian product liability law. An attorney can help determine the best course of action depending on where the incident occurred and where the bike was purchased.
If your child was injured because a recalled Trek or Electra bicycle failed to stop properly, your family may be eligible for significant compensation. Brake defects are dangerous, and companies that design or sell unsafe bicycles must be held accountable for the harm they cause.
Parker Waichman LLP is a national product liability law firm representing families injured by defective consumer products, unsafe children’s items and dangerous mechanical failures. Our team investigates failure points, analyzes recall data and builds strong cases to secure justice for injured children. No matter where you live or where the bike was purchased, our nationwide product injury attorneys are prepared to help.
Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today for a free consultation. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.
Parker Waichman LLP
Our law firm is ready to represent you in your injury case. We’ve helped many New York residents as well as those needing help nationwide. Contact our team for a free case consultation today.
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard, Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
We handle mass torts cases nationwide. Please contact our office to learn more.