Teton Outfitters LLC, doing business as 509, and Polaris Inc. recalled more than 200,000 helmets after some models failed safety tests. Others could come loose in a crash and leave a rider’s head unprotected.
One rider’s helmet came off in a crash, and the rider was diagnosed with a concussion, the only injury confirmed so far. Attorneys say the defect could also cause worse harm, including brain injury.
No lawsuit, class action, or MDL has been filed over these helmets. Riders hurt by a detached or failed 509 helmet can still have an attorney review their case while the recall moves forward.
- Case or litigation name: No lawsuit or MDL filed yet; firms are investigating potential claims
- Defendants: Under investigation: Teton Outfitters LLC (d/b/a 509) and Polaris Inc.
- Court and docket number, when available: No filed case; not on the JPML pending-MDL list
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL; the JPML list carries no 509 or Polaris listing
- Filing date: No filing yet as of September 21, 2026
- Main allegations: A defective retention system: some models failed certification testing, and Fidlock chin straps could route incorrectly and let a helmet detach in a crash
- Products or people involved: 509 and 509-for-Polaris Tactical 3.0, Tactical 2.0, and Fidlock-equipped models bought January 2020-May 2025
Table Of Contents
- Latest 509 Helmet Lawsuit Updates
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Potential Compensation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is 509 Owned by Polaris?
- How Do I Know If My 509 Helmet Is Part of the Recall?
- How Many Incidents Were Reported in Canada for the 509 Helmet Recall?
- What Does CPSC’s Research Explain About the Recalled Helmets’ Defects?
- Does Accepting My 509 Helmet Recall Remedy Affect a Legal Claim?
- How Do I Get My 509 Helmet Refunded, Replaced, or Repaired?
- References
Latest 509 Helmet Lawsuit Updates
February 19, 2026: 509 and Polaris Expand the Recall
509 and Polaris added a new model to the recall: the 509 Altitude 2.0 Carbon Fiber R-Series helmet with a Fidlock chin strap. They told the CPSC before posting the expansion on 509’s own recall page [1].
The July 2025 recall had not listed this model. Owners should check 509’s recall page, a quick online check, to see if their helmet is now included.
July 3, 2025: CPSC Announces the Consolidated Recall
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Recall No. 25-374 [2]. It covered about 201,200 helmets in the United States and about 26,800 in Canada, after the one reported helmet detachment led to a concussion.
One incident, a helmet that detached and caused a concussion, prompted the recall. Trade press including Powersports Business [3] and Bicycle Retailer [4] reported similar figures that week, matching CPSC’s own numbers.
May 1, 2025: 509 Recalls Helmets with Fidlock Chin Straps
509 issued a recall for helmets with Fidlock chin straps after notifying the CPSC. The strap webbing could be routed the wrong way, letting the buckle come apart in a crash.
This recall covered Altitude 2.0, Delta R3L, Delta R4, Delta V, and Mach III, Mach IV, and Mach V helmets with the Fidlock buckle. No injuries were confirmed when it was announced.
April 21, 2025: 509 Recalls Tactical 2.0 Helmets
509 issued a recall of small and medium Tactical 2.0 helmets made in 2023. The company told the CPSC the helmets might not give enough impact protection in a crash.
Both 509 and 509-for-Polaris versions of the Tactical 2.0 were covered. 509 offered online buyers a refund or a website credit, and Polaris offered a refund or a dealership credit. This was the second recall that led to July’s announcement.
February 5, 2025: 509 Recalls Tactical 3.0 Helmets
509 issued the first recall in this series: Tactical 3.0 helmets that failed marked safety standards. Those helmets might not protect a rider’s head well in a crash. 509 offered owners a refund, credit, or replacement.
The company told the CPSC about the issue before this recall. The July 2025 announcement later combined it with the Tactical 2.0 and Fidlock recalls under one public notice.
Who May Be Affected?
Riders bought a recalled 509 or 509-for-Polaris helmet between January 2020 and May 2025, and some were hurt when the helmet detached or its strap failed in a crash. CPSC’s recall notice already documents these circumstances.
CPSC confirmed one such case: a helmet came loose mid-crash, and its rider was diagnosed with a concussion. Riders who wore an affected Tactical 3.0, Tactical 2.0, or Fidlock model and were hurt in a crash have relevant circumstances too.
This is true even without a confirmed strap failure. Whether a case supports a claim still depends on an individual legal review. That review looks at the helmet, the crash report, and the medical records.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The only confirmed injury in this recall is one rider’s concussion. It happened after the rider’s helmet came off during a crash, and it led to CPSC’s review of all three recalled helmet lines.
CPSC’s review found two problems: Tactical 3.0 helmets did not pass their own safety tests, and Fidlock-equipped models had chin-strap webbing that could be routed wrong. Both raise the risk of head injury in a crash.
Attorneys reviewing potential claims describe possible injuries consistent with that hazard, including concussion, traumatic brain injury, or skull or facial fracture. Only the one reported concussion has been confirmed so far.
Recall and Regulatory Background
CPSC Recall No. 25-374, announced July 3, 2025 and expanded February 19, 2026, covers about 201,200 US and 26,800 Canada helmets. They sold from January 2020 to May 2025, for $140 to $900.
The fix is a refund, replacement, or repair, based on the defect. Riders should stop using an affected helmet, then contact 509 or Polaris.
A recall does not prove a maker is liable for an injury. Still, the defect becomes part of the record a claim would use.
Evidence to Preserve
Riders considering a claim over a recalled 509 helmet should keep the following pieces of evidence in a safe, organized place:
- The helmet itself, or clear photos of the model name, the certification or manufacture-date tag, and the Fidlock buckle if it has one
- Proof of purchase, such as a receipt, dealer record, order confirmation, or bank or credit card statement showing the purchase
- Any recall letter or remedy email from 509 or Polaris, including the date it arrived and the remedy it offered
- Medical records from the ER visit or any follow-up care, including the diagnosis, the treating doctor’s notes, and imaging results
- An accident report, witness statement, or photos from the crash scene, including the helmet’s position and any visible damage afterward
A lawyer can review this evidence early. That works best before a helmet is returned, or before records get hard to find. Keep a digital copy of each item too, in case a paper copy is lost.
Filing Deadlines
Deadlines for a product-liability claim come from each state’s own law. They depend on where the injured rider lives and when the crash happened.
Some states start the clock on the crash date. Others start it when a rider is diagnosed with a head injury connected to the helmet failure.
Missing a filing deadline can end a claim no matter how strong the facts are, so ask a lawyer promptly.
Potential Compensation
A claim over a faulty helmet could cover a few kinds of loss. These may include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A serious head injury can also mean years of ongoing medical care. No lawsuit or settlement over these helmets exists yet.
Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. A lawyer can review the case-specific facts that affect potential compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 509 Owned by Polaris?
Yes, 509 is a brand of Teton Outfitters LLC, based in Rigby, Idaho, which is a subsidiary of Polaris Inc. That is why the recall notice, remedy options, and contact lines for 509 helmets involve both companies.
How Do I Know If My 509 Helmet Is Part of the Recall?
Your 509 helmet is part of the recall if its model name is printed on the back below the 509 logo. For Tactical 3.0, the chin-strap certification tag begins “06301125.” Tactical 2.0 and Fidlock models instead carry a manufacture-date tag inside the helmet.
How Many Incidents Were Reported in Canada for the 509 Helmet Recall?
Canada reported zero incidents tied to the 509 helmet recall, as of July 1, 2025, per the country’s product-safety regulator. About 26,822 of the recalled helmets were sold there (CPSC’s recall notice rounds this to about 26,800).
What Does CPSC’s Research Explain About the Recalled Helmets’ Defects?
CPSC’s research explains why 509 issued three separate recalls. CPSC’s own review identified two issues: Tactical 3.0’s certification failure and the Fidlock chin-strap routing problem. 509 also told CPSC that 2023 Tactical 2.0 helmets could lack sufficient crash protection. Each problem gets its own fix.
Does Accepting My 509 Helmet Recall Remedy Affect a Legal Claim?
Accepting your 509 helmet recall remedy addresses the helmet itself, whether you call 509’s line, open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time on weekdays, or Polaris’s. A separate legal claim still needs its own review.
How Do I Get My 509 Helmet Refunded, Replaced, or Repaired?
You can get your 509 helmet refunded, replaced, or repaired by contacting 509 toll-free at 877-743-3509 or support@ride509.com, or Polaris at 800-765-2747. Instructions vary by model.
References
- https://ride509.com/pages/recalls
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/509-Recalls-Helmets-Due-to-Risk-of-Head-Injury
- https://powersportsbusiness.com/news/dealers/2025/07/08/509-recalls-over-200000-helmets-for-head-injury-risk
- https://www.bicycleretailer.com/recalls/2025/07/03/more-200-000-509-helmets-and-509-polaris-helmets-recalled