The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling two models of amphibious made by Auburn Hills-based Gibbs Sports Amphibians.
The high-speed vehicle, which goes from being an ATV to a Jet Ski-like watercraft, retails for around $42,000 for the one-seater Quadski and $47,000 for the two-seater Quadski XL, the manufacturer said.
The recall affects about 320 Quadski and Quadski XL models sold in the United States between January 2012 and October 2014, the commission announced Tuesday.
The recalled vehicles have HIN (hull identification numbers) numbers that run from US-GSAJ0607J213 though US-GSAJ1048C414 on the Quadski and US-GSAJ5001J213 though US-GSAM5203H415 on Quadski XL.HINs are on a plate located on the right rear corner of the vehicle.
The Quadski catapulted into the national spotlight when high-end retailer Neiman Marcus selected the vehicle for its Fantasy Gifts list in its Christmas Book catalogue in December. The designer version, jazzed up with a playful print by upscale French swimwear company Vilebrequin, cost $50,000.
Neiman Marcus spokeswoman Ginger Reeder told the Free Press that the Neiman Marcus models weren’t part of the federal recall. The Dallas-based chain sold 12 of them.
The problem with the Quadskis, according to the commission, is that “the handlebar can fail while the vehicle is in operation, causing the operator to lose control of the steering and braking system of the vehicle, posing a risk of injury.”
No consumer incidents have been reported.
Gibbs’ vice president of marketing, Tom Berchulc, confirmed that the issue was discovered at Gibbs’ testing facility in Stuart, Fla., where there were three breaks, one injuring the test operator’s neck.
“Three of the units were well beyond life expectancy,” he said.
The 12-year-old company has sold just under 1,000 Quadskis since the vehicle entered the consumer market in 2013, Berchulc explained, but declined to share corporate revenues data.
Gibbs has 75 employees around the world, including 60 in Auburn Hills, and 51 dealers worldwide.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises people who own a recalled Quadski to call Gibbs Sports Amphibians at 877 230-0888 weekdays 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. or visit www.gibbssports.com, click on Quadski or Quadski X, scroll down and click on “Recall” for more information.
