cwilly8

My father-in-law was about to throw out his 25-year old hybrid bike -- a Univega Via Carisma. Instead, I got it and started refurbing it for a general purpose knock-around bike. While searching for tips for crank and bottom bracket removal, I ended up at a Shimano web page stating that the crank in question (FC-MC12) had a recall (circa 1996). There was an 800 number, so I called it and -- much to my surprise -- actually got a Shimano tech on the other end. He stated that they still honor the recall, and that besides the crank, they would replace the bottom bracket, front derailleur, and chain. However, they could not deal directly with me, only through a LBS.
Call me skeptical ... but I went to our small town LBS, explained what Shimano had said, and gave him the info. Five weeks later these parts arrived from Shimano. Top-of-the-line? Absolutely not! But terrific for a 25-year old bike. Thanks to Shimano and our LBS the bike will live again!

John Valuk

I looked into the same deal a while back when I was in the process of waking up my 1995 Trek 730 Multitrack, and learned about the 1997 recall. That bike, too, had the FC-MC12 cranks.

I chose not to go that route, but I think it's very cool that Shimano continue to support that recall.

I replaced the FC-MC12 cranks with some used FC-MC16 ones.

Amt0571

I'm totally impressed they're honouring a recall more than 20 years later.

It speaks really well about them.

CargoDane

That's truly impressive!

Crankycrank

Wow, good for Shimano. I remember getting a new Shimano cassette from a shop that freakishly had two of the same sized cogs in it. Told the shop, Shimano wanted it back pronto, gave me two new cassettes as a replacement. Very impressed.

dscheidt

no, it speaks about the law. Safety recalls are in effect for the life of the product, with some exceptions. The expected lifespan of a non-defective crank is pretty much forever, so shimano don't really have any choice about it.

canklecat

That's impressive. Yeah, sure, recalls are forever, but some companies won't honor recalls or extended warranties. Been there, done that, with Subaru, Commodore and Nikon.

My 1993 Univega Via Carisma components (Exage, mostly 500CX) seem fine and apparently weren't subject to the recall. But it's still impressive that Shimano will honor it without forcing the customer to jump through flaming hoops.

Amt0571

And the FD, bottom bracket and chain were also unsafe it seems.

Darth Lefty 

What’s more surprising, given the regular shakeups in the bike industry, is that Shimano today is still Shimano of 1996. Not just corporate continuity but same product lines in same niches.

I think the other parts must be included to bring the bike up to date to use the replacement cranks.

Trakhak

True. For the first years of the recall, only the cranks were provided.

dscheidt

They're required to use the new crank. Different spindle length means new BB is required. different crank requires different derailleur. I guess they want you to shift easily, so that's why you get a new chain. What shimmano has supplied as part of the recall has changed over time, as cranks have required different stuff. Originally, you just go a new crank, because it fit on the existing BB.

Troul 

glad to read something positive come from that brand's name in recent light.

Russ Roth

Have to call the LBS tomorrow, I dropped one of these off back in Feb before the SHTF and checked twice over the summer to no luck. Got a bike waiting for them if they ever arrive. Guy wanted to know how I even knew of the recall, had to explain that I was replacing them regularly 21 years ago and did enough to never forget. I rehab bikes to give to needy people and these things are nice when they show up, lets you really get a bike running better.

veganbikes

Shimano doesn't have a huge choice as it is a recall but good they sent you some other parts as well.

Shimano is usually pretty good about warranty and recall stuff. Obviously it is super tough these days as parts are hard to get and hence why I didn't even bother trying to build up my Specialized Sequoia frameset. I am waiting on a warranty on my rear brake caliper on my MTB and that is going to take some time to get in. I am not hurting for bikes but did want to get in one ride on my newest mountain bike before years end.

Kiro

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I wanted to add onto this experience for others stumbling upon this in the future:

I'm fixing up my 1996 Raleigh USA M-80 with the FC MC12 cranks. I've spent many hours on this bike in the early 2000's. It slept in the basement for the last ~8 years, and now I'm giving it some overdue TLC to start riding it more again. While googling parts I stumbled across this thread (among others) and thought I would give the recall action a try from Europe. So far, I was amazed at Shimano's due diligence!

According to Shimano BeNeLux (North-Western Europe), this recall has expired and they will not honor it. Not sure if this is a difference between EU and US regulations, if it has actually finally expired in the past 2 years, or if Shimano reps in the EU are just a bit less forthcoming than in the US.
In any case I'll be on the lookout for replacement cranks :-)
(They should be fine if they've went this long, but things like this get between your ears I guess...)

John Valuk

I was in a somewhat similar situation a couple of years ago, but I was "waking up" my bike from an even longer slumber!

Even though Shimano was still honoring that recall, the solution I used at the time was to find a decent set of FC-MC16 crank arms. Those look like the FC-MC12, and fit the same triple chainring assembly.

There are of course many other ways to approach this; that's just what I did.

Yan 

It's very simple, let me explain:

Here in America people love to sue for everything, and the courts are very friendly to people who sue. If Shimano refuses to honor a recall and someone has an accident, that person will immediately sue Shimano for 40 million dollars, and Shimano will lose. Shimano America is not a nice company. They just know from their lawyers that it's better to send out a free $30 crank than to lose $40 million in a lawsuit.

rickpaulos

The Shimano recall of the 3 cranks was a "Voluntary Recall". That's the first step in the CPSC's procedure. Ask the company to do the right thing. Give the manufacturer a chance to act on the issue. The company is required to submit a action plan for approval. Next step is hire lawyers to fight a "mandatory recall". IMO, it's cheaper to send out new cranks than to argue with the government, even after 20+ years. Just 1 jury decision could cost the company more than all the replacements. The US auto industry is the prime example of endless legal fights. They think they can afford it.

I have one recall crank, tagged with the affected model numbers at our local coop for visual reference. If we spot one, we replace it with another used crank from the parts bins. In 10 years, with about 5,000 bikes donated, very few had those cranks. Shimano makes so many versions of each component, each revised every few years, no one part number is dominant.

re: FC-CT90, FC-M290, FC-MC12.

ClydeClydeson

The failure caused by the flaw in those crankarms was common and the results could be quite severe. I think it is a no-brainer to send out a basic set of cranks (probably costs them ~$10 max per claim), even 25 years later, rather than deal with a single lawsuit.

jccaclimber

Other manufacturers have found a less than helpful way around this. For example, 35 years worth of Sears Craftsman radial arm saws have a recall*. Instead of offering you a new $1000 saw, or a fix that makes it safer, they offer $50 after you’ve proven you took your own time to make the saw inoperable per their directions. Shimano could easily offer $20, or just a crank arm, vs. also including a new BB, chain, and derailer.

*I personally think the recall is a fine case of ambulance chasing lawyers going after deep pockets, but that’s not relevant to this. Turns out powered saws can cut things, go figure.

Inusuit

Update for September 2022. My 1995 Specialized Rockhopper had the recalled cranks. I contact the local Specialized dealer. They reached out to Shimano. Took the RH in today. They received and will install new crank arm, bottom bracket, chain rings, front derailleur, and chain at no charge to me. Nice.