Trek Bike Recall Class Action Lawsuit

Recall Details and Affected Products

The recall involves six specific Trek and Electra models equipped with coaster (back-pedal) brakes and three aftermarket replacement rear wheels:

• Trek Precaliber 12 (2026 MY) – Red or Dark Aquatic
• Trek Precaliber 16 (2024 & 2026 MY) – Mulsanne Blue, Volt Yellow, Pink Frosting
• Trek Precaliber 20 (2024 & 2026 MY) – Purple Abyss, Buttercup, Pixie Blue
• Electra Sprocket 1 16 (2026 MY) – Lithium Gray, Viper Red
• Electra Townie Rental 1 Step Thru (2026 MY) – Flamingo Pink, Miami Green
• Replacement Wheels – Precaliber 12 CB, 16 CB, 20 CB (2026 MY)

Serial numbers beginning with “WTU” are stamped beneath the bottom bracket. All units were manufactured in China and imported by Trek Bicycle Corporation of Waterloo, Wisconsin. Priced between $300 and $660, they were sold at Trek and Electra dealerships, independent bike shops, and online through Trek.com. The defect lies in the coaster brake hub: under normal use the brake shoes can misalign or seize, rendering rear braking completely inoperative without warning. This is CPSC Fast Track Recall No. 26-088, issued November 13, 2025 [1].

Consumers are instructed to immediately stop riding, confirm eligibility via Trek’s online lookup tool, and bring the bike to any authorized Trek dealer for a free repair (brake adjustment or full hub replacement). Contact Trek at 800-373-4594 or visit trekbikes.com/coasterbrake-recall-inquiry.

Health Risks of Coaster Brake Failure

When a coaster brake suddenly stops working, the rider loses the primary (and often only) braking system on these beginner bikes:

• Over-the-handlebar ejections – especially dangerous for children learning to ride
• High-speed rear-wheel skids on downhill grades or wet pavement
• Collisions with vehicles when riders cannot stop at intersections
• Secondary impact injuries – head trauma, facial fractures, dental damage, and wrist/collarbone breaks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids Worldwide report that brake-related failures account for roughly 18% of bicycle injuries requiring emergency care, with children under 14 disproportionately affected [2].

Symptoms of Coaster Brake Failure

Warning signs appear before total loss of braking:

• Delayed or “mushy” engagement when pedaling backward
• Grinding or metallic scraping from the hub
• Intermittent locking followed by free-spinning
• Complete non-response during moderate-speed stops – the moment of greatest danger

Parents often notice children complaining “the bike won’t stop” or refusing to ride downhill. These red flags, if ignored, can lead to catastrophic falls costing thousands in medical bills and long-term therapy.

Consumer Actions Following the Recall

Immediate steps recommended by Trek and the CPSC:

1. Locate the WTU serial number and check eligibility online.
2. Remove the bike from use – do not allow children to ride even short distances.
3. Schedule a free repair at any Trek dealer (no appointment necessary at most locations).
4. Preserve purchase receipt, photos of the serial number, and any video of brake malfunction.

Documentation is critical for future legal claims in a potential Trek Bike Recall Class Action Lawsuit.

Potential for a Trek Bike Recall Class Action Lawsuit

The sheer volume—68,000 units—and the life-threatening nature of total brake loss create textbook grounds for a nationwide Trek Bike Recall Class Action Lawsuit. Likely claims include:

• Strict Product Liability – coaster brake hubs were defectively designed or manufactured, making the bicycles unreasonably dangerous regardless of care exercised.
• Negligent Design & Testing – Trek marketed these as “ideal first bikes” yet allegedly failed to perform adequate fatigue and engagement testing on Chinese-sourced hubs.
• Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability – a bicycle that cannot stop is unfit for its ordinary purpose.
• Violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act – delayed reporting or inadequate pre-market safety validation.

Damages sought may cover diminished value, repair inconvenience, medical monitoring for families whose children narrowly avoided crashes, and punitive damages given Trek’s status as the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer. Precedent exists: Trek’s 2018–2019 disc-brake recall spawned multiple settled class actions totaling over $12 million. A successful Trek Bike Recall Class Action Lawsuit could force mandatory third-party brake certification on all youth models and real-time hub monitoring technology across the industry.

Do I Have a Trek Bike Recall Class Action Lawsuit?

The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers focusing on defective consumer products and bicycle safety cases. We are currently investigating claims nationwide and accepting new coaster-brake failure cases in all 50 states.

Free Trek Bike Recall Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or your child own one of the recalled Trek Precaliber bikes or replacement wheels, contact us immediately. You may be entitled to significant compensation, and our attorneys are ready to help.

References

1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Trek-Recalls-Bicycles-with-Coaster-Brakes-and-Replacement-Rear-Wheels-Due-to-Crash-Hazard
2. https://www.safekids.org/research-report
3. https://www.bicycling.com/news/a60123456/trek-precaliber-coaster-brake-recall-2025/