Initial approval granted for preliminary settlement in Shimano crankset litigation case
In a significant development, Japanese bicycle component manufacturer Shimano is facing a class-action lawsuit over faulty Hollowtech II cranksets. The lawsuit, which was filed in October 2023, alleges that the cranksets have potential fall and injury hazards due to bonding separation.
The recall of the affected products, including Ultegra FC-6800, FC-R8000, Dura-Ace FC-9000, FC-R9100, and FC-R9100-P, was initiated by Shimano in September 2023. The recall may affect as many as 2.8 million cranksets globally.
More than 4,500 incidents of cranksets separating were reported, resulting in six incidents that led to injuries, including bone fractures, joint displacement, and lacerations.
Shimano has set aside 17.6 billion yen ($119.4 million, £89.3 million) to cover the costs of the recall. The proposed settlement includes providing free replacements for all faulty cranksets, offering an extra two years of warranty to customers affected by the recall, and paying each of the 14 plaintiffs $500 as a 'service award'.
The court has issued a preliminary approval order regarding the settlement of the case. However, the settlement awaits final court approval, expected early next year. Notably, Shimano has denied the allegations made in the class-action lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims that the recall was inadequate and that Shimano concealed information about the faults. Shimano, on the other hand, has offered a free inspection and replacement programme to customers affected by the recall.
Shimano expects a final court decision to be announced early next year. The preliminary approval for the settlement was issued on 28 July in the U.S. District Court in California.
As the case progresses, Shimano customers are advised to keep a close eye on updates regarding the recall and the settlement. This development is a reminder of the importance of product safety and transparency in the manufacturing industry.
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