Zone HS1100 motorcycle helmets made in 2014 to 2016 were recalled because they may not protect riders in a crash. Ultimate Leather Apparel sold them under the Zone Helmets brand and recalled 6,848 of them under NHTSA recall 20E-063.
NHTSA says the helmets fail the federal impact attenuation standard, FMVSS 218. The company’s report names the safety risk as head injury in an accident. The company mailed recall letters to owners on October 26, 2020.
This is a recall only. Nobody has filed a lawsuit or class action over these helmets, and no MDL exists. Owners can get a free refund or replacement helmet.
- Case or litigation name: No lawsuit; NHTSA recall 20E-063 only
- Defendants: None named
- Court and docket number, when available: No filed case
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL
- Filing date: No filed case
- Main allegations: No complaint exists; NHTSA recall report states the helmets fail the FMVSS 218 impact attenuation requirement
- Products or people involved: Zone HS1100 helmets, models HS1100-D1, D2, D3, D5, FLAT, REBEL and SHINY, sizes XS to 2XL, made October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016; 6,848 helmets
Table Of Contents
Latest Zone Helmet Lawsuit Updates
April 8, 2023: 76 Recalled Helmets Remedied
Ultimate Leather Apparel told NHTSA that 76 of the 6,848 recalled helmets had been remedied, and none were unreachable [1].
The company filed the quarterly reports for 2022-1 to 2022-3 on that day. The figure is about 1 percent of the recalled helmets.
October 26, 2020: Recall Letters Mailed to Owners
On October 26, 2020, Ultimate Leather Apparel mailed recall letters to owners of the recalled Zone HS1100 helmets, according to its Part 573 report [2]. Owner notification began and ended on that day.
September 16, 2020: NHTSA Acknowledges the Recall
NHTSA wrote to Ultimate Leather Apparel on this date and acknowledged the recall [3]. The letter’s subject line reads “Helmet May Not Protect From Impact/FMVSS 218.”
The letter says the helmets may not adequately protect the wearer in a head impact during a crash. It says the helmets fail to comply with FMVSS 218.
September 2, 2020: Company Files Part 573 Safety Recall Report
Ultimate Leather Apparel filed its Part 573 Safety Recall Report with NHTSA for 6,848 Zone HS1100 helmets. The recall carries campaign number 20E-063.
The report describes the cause as helmets manufactured over 4 years ago. It treats all of the 2014 to 2016 production as the recalled group.
August 25, 2020: Company Decides to Recall the Helmets
Ultimate Leather Apparel decided to recall the Zone HS1100 helmets on August 25, 2020, one week after it received test reports on August 18, 2020. The reports indicated that impact attenuation exceeded the limit.
Who May Be Affected?
You may be affected if you own a Zone HS1100 helmet in model HS1100-D1, D2, D3, D5, FLAT, REBEL or SHINY. The recall covers sizes XS to 2XL made between October 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016.
Riders who wore one of these helmets in a crash may also be affected. NHTSA states that a helmet that does not adequately protect the wearer from an impact can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
A recall does not prove that a helmet caused any injury, and only an individual legal review can say whether a claim exists.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The Part 573 report describes the safety risk in one line: in case of accident, head injury can occur. It does not describe any crash, and the recall documents list no injuries and give no incident count.
NHTSA’s guide, Choose the Right Motorcycle Helmet, says a DOT symbol means a helmet meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218 [4]. The recalled Zone HS1100 helmets are reported to fail that standard.
Recall and Regulatory Background
Ultimate Leather Apparel recalled the helmets under NHTSA recall 20E-063 because impact attenuation exceeds the limit. The remedy is a refund or a replacement helmet, free of charge.
Owners with questions about the refund or replacement can call Ultimate Leather customer service at 1-833-262-2315. They can also call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Evidence to Preserve
Keeping these items can help a lawyer review what happened after a helmet fails in a crash:
- The helmet itself, kept unaltered, with its DOT label and the model and manufacture-date markings still readable.
- Purchase receipts or order records that show where and when the helmet was bought.
- Photographs of the helmet, any damage to it and the scene of the crash.
- The recall letter from Ultimate Leather Apparel, if you received one.
- Medical records and bills that describe the injury and the treatment you received.
- Police or crash reports that describe how and where the accident happened.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. They differ with where you live and when the injury and its cause were discovered. If a deadline passes, a claim can end, even where the Zone helmet facts look strong.
Talk to a lawyer promptly if a Zone helmet failed in a crash, because the time left to act may be short.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Made the Recalled Zone Helmets?
The recalled Zone helmets were sold by Ultimate Leather Apparel Inc of Fayetteville, Tennessee, under the Zone label. The company’s report also names a component manufacturer in Foshan City, China.
What Should I Do If I Own a Recalled Zone Helmet?
If you own a recalled Zone helmet, check its model and manufacture date, then call the numbers in the recall section. Hearing-impaired owners can reach the NHTSA hotline by TTY at 1-800-424-9153.
How Many Recalled Zone Helmets Were Expected to Be Defective?
The recalled Zone helmets were expected to include a defect in about 10 percent of units. The company’s amended report to NHTSA of August 18, 2021 gave that estimate for this recall.
Does NHTSA Approve Motorcycle Helmets Before Sale?
NHTSA approves no motorcycle helmets before sale and relies on self-certification by makers. It tests some helmets, and if one fails the federal standard when tested, NHTSA can issue a formal recall.
References
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLQRT-20E063-2698.PDF
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20E063-5547.PDF
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCAK-20E063-2597.pdf
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet