The increasing popularity of Vespas and other scooters in the United States has been a boon for certain manufacturers like Piaggio, though the company has initiated several Vespa scooter recall notices for faulty components and manufacturing defects. Piaggio has issued over 15 recalls in recent years for alleged defective scooters or unsafe design, including recalls for the following:
- Faulty ignition switch
- Fuel Pump Defect
- Cracking frame
- Defective brakes
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some defective scooters, including those included in Vespa recalls, can stall while on the road because of a fuel pump issue.
At least one driver stated in a complaint that the engine of his scooter stopped during operation on a road. Another complaint regarding the scooter defects include faulty ignitions and engines that fail to start—an issue that the manufacturer said is a problem with the fuel pump.
The inner pump housing is reportedly insufficient due to the impeller swelling. No warning for this issue was issued to consumers, and the abruptness of scooter malfunctions may increase the risk of an accident and resulting injury.
Common injuries sustained in scooter accidents can include severe road rash, orthopedic trauma, head and neck injuries, and death.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Catastrophic injury lawyer and product liability attorney. After a serious scooter accident related to Piaggio or Vespa recalls, victims should contact a legal professional to investigate the cause.
Vespa Scooter Recalls
- 2011–2012 Fly 50 4T
- 2010–2012 Vespa LX50 4T
- 2009–2012 Vespa S50 4T
- 683 Fly 150 3V
- 50 Medley 150
- 2008-2010 Vespa GTS 250, GTV 250, GTS Super 250
- 2011 Vespa LX 150, LXV 150, S 150
- 2010-2011 Vespa GTS 300, GTV 300, GTS Super 300
- 2009-2010 Piaggio MP3 250, BV 250 Tourer
- 2010 BV 300 Tourer
- 150 S ABS scooters
Vespa Recall & Scooter Accidents
Many scooter accidents are caused by driver negligence, poor road conditions, driver fatigue, drunk driving, or scooter defects that affect the proper operation of a vehicle. Most scooter accidents involving another vehicle occur at intersections, ignoring right of ways for scooters and reckless lane changes.
Even minor collisions can lead to severe road injuries to those driving scooters, which makes road safety imperative. Drivers of scooters and motorcycles are much more likely to be injured or killed in an accident than motorists in an automobile or truck.
Vespa recalls have highlighted the safety concerns for road experts, though motor vehicle defects are not a new phenomenon. Motorcycle defects, in fact, are more common than motorists may think. In 2016, the NHTSA investigated brake failure on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which lead to more than 400,000 motorcycles recalled, in addition to another Harley recall for clutch lever defects.
BMW also recalled more than a thousand motorcycles because of software problems in the engine control, and 40,000 more motorcycles for faulty flanges on the rear wheels.
