17,500 Mario Karts Recalled Nationwide for Safety Issue, Says Government

A popular battery-powered racing car for kids is being recalled due to a dangerous malfunction with one of its key parts, which has caused several crashes and one injury. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of 17,500 Mario Kart 24V Ride-On Racer Cars sold by JAKKS Pacific on April 25, 2024. The acceleration pedals in the affected cars can become “clogged with debris,” causing them to stick even when the child’s foot has been removed, thereby causing the car to continue moving.

The 24-volt battery-powered red and blue car, branded with Mario’s signature red ‘M’, was sold at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Macy’s, and several other retailers from October 2022 through January 2024. The car weighs just over 114 pounds, has three speeds with a maximum speed of eight miles per hour, and has large wheels for “drifting,” or sliding sideways. It is designed for children between the ages of three and eight. The recall notes that none of the Mario Kart 24V Ride-On Racer Cars currently being sold have the pedal issue.

via cpsc.gov

JAKKS put out a statement on its recall page, urging anyone with a defective car to immediately stop using it and contact the company for a free replacement pedal:

“At JAKKS Pacific, product quality and consumer safety are our top priority. We recently identified a safety issue affecting the Mario Kart™ 24 Volt Ride-On Racers. If the acceleration pedal becomes clogged with debris, it can stick after the user’s foot is removed from the pedal, posing a crash hazard. Accordingly, in cooperation with the CPSC, we are voluntarily conducting a product recall. JAKKS will be providing free, newly-developed pedals and installation instructions to all consumers who have units affected by this recall.”

PepsiCo Has Recalled 2,800 Cases of a Popular Soda in 6 States

To date, 65 cars have experienced the sticking issue caused by excess debris, with 15 crashing into “permanent structures.” One minor hand injury has been reported. Customers who have any of the cars are urged to check the bottom of the vehicle for the eight-character code that identifies the cars with the defective pedal. Only the vehicles with the following seven date codes are affected: 1752VE01, 1782VE01, 1952VE01, 2242VE01, 2352VE01, 2852VE01, and 0583VE01.

Anyone with questions can contact JAKKS Pacific at 855-602-5464 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT or online at www.jakks.com.

• More Than 85,000 Pounds of Meat Recalled in 8 States
• Love True Crime? New Data Says It Could Be Doing This To Your Brain
• Expert Doctors: A Non-Invasive Urine Test Just “Changed the Game” for Prostate Screening
• The Best Way to Keep Weight Off? Weigh Yourself This Often, Says New Study