ABS Recall

A snowHead

I'm re posting this link from the Piste section. As spotted by MT.

http://www.abs-airbag.com/en/recall

A snowHead

Cheers for posting this. Cannister full or empty? Cannot tell from the website.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@gorilla, It does not state either way on the ABS site or the info I have so far, but I would say full.

If you have not test fired your ABS system or partner system then you only need to send the cylinder back for a new one, its only the steel cylinders or if you have test fired with a steel cylinder, carbons are not affected.

For the full release I got very late afternoon yesterday then please see below:

as our supplier of steel cartridges has found problems in the
filling process, we are reacting with an immediate recall action
of European steel cartridges. It is possible that, during the
supplier’s filling process, machining residues could have
entered the cartridge which would prevent the airbag system
from functioning in future. All backpacks with ABS TwinBag
systems (dual airbags) are therefore to be returned to ABS for
checking. So far three instances of this problem, caused by the
supplier, have occurred during training activations.
In this newsletter you can find all the important information
concerning the recall.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Your ABS team

The following products are affected by the recall:
all European ABS activation units in steel (steel + handle) with a filling
date till 03.12.2014
ABS backpacks with integrated Twinbag system (double airbag) on the
market since 1996, including ABS Inside Partner models (Bergans,
Dakine, Deuter, Haglöfs, Ortovox, Salewa, The North Face, Vaude)
Products not affected by the recall:
Carbon cartridges
Steel cartridges with a filling date from 03.12.2014
ABS Mono airbags

If you have products affected by this recall, please follow these instructions:
Complete the recall form and send it off: you will immediately be sent a
confirmation e-mail with your reference number as well as a DHL
dispatch sticker within 24 hours by e-mail
Pack your products in one package and affix the DHL dispatch sticker.
Please send the backpack completely empty, without shovel and probe
etc. We will only pay postage costs if the label is on the package. Please
note that we cannot accept non-prepaid packages
Your products will be tested by ABS specialists. If your products are
affected by the recall, they will be repaired or replaced accordingly
For Swiss Customers: Please download a proforma invoice here, fill it
out and attach it on the outside the package
Customers from Norway, Finland and Sweden will be contacted
separately from our customer service regarding their returns
to recall form

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
We have set up a service hotline that will be open from 08:00 to 18: 00 from
Monday to Sunday until further notice in order to answer your questions
regarding the recall action:
+49-89-898789-66
You can also send us an email: service@abs-airbag.com

You need to Login to know who's really who.

That's the sort of recall cost that sends a business under basically every unit shipped since startup. Good of them to stand by the product absolutely though.

Even most people with a carbon will have test fired with a steel.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@Dave of the Marmottes, fair point, never thought of that.....weve got carbon but maybe test fired when new? Mmmm

I set ours off annually so know they work ok though

You'll need to Register first of course.

I just got the mail here as well ( in German ). Sounds fairly disastrous for them, and not their fault as far as I can see.
Will try to phone and take the bag round to them. They are in Gräfelfing, just down the road from where I live.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@Steilhang, lucky you, they're going to get swamped, wonder how long they'll take to send back.......or go under whilst they've got all the bags back?!

After all it is free

@Markymark29, no idea. Like Dave of the Marmottes said, this is the kind of thing that could kill them. I assume they will be trying to pass the cost on to the bottle manufacturer, but by the time they have sorted out who did what in court, they could easily go against the wall. That would be a great shame.

It all sounds a little doom and gloom, but I don't think that they will go out of business over this, after all there are plenty of other larger manufactures who would buy them out as well, IMHO of course Toofy Grin

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

@livetoski, Yep I guess that's the way the sector is going and a North Face or DaKine might be a natural fit. Would look good in Coleman or Amer's portfolio too possibly.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@Dave of the Marmottes, mmm maybe but don't forget what nationality ABS are think they would look closer to home, but I should not get into speculation on here !!

snow reports

A conversation with ABS helpline this morning highlighted a couple of things for me.

Firstly they haven't sorted out a UK shipping agent yet, you can't fire the canister in case it does put the 'bits' into the airbag and they haven't found a shipper who will transport filled canisters yet, work in progress they say. Secondly the bag doesn't have to go back if you are sure it has not been activated with a steel canister. Problem is some shops do test firings so how can you be sure it hasn't been fired even if you purchased from new and have not fired it yourself? ABS say unless you can be 100% certain they would rather it was returned to them for testing.

They say it will take a couple of weeks to return bag/canister (optimistic?), pity I bought it especially for a trip in 2 weeks time. Safety gear has to work though so don't see I've got an option but to follow the recall through on the bag.....

@SnowMac,

You know it makes sense.

@livetoski, yes, the told me they are using DHL for mainland Europe as stated in their press release but can't for the UK.

Thanks for the confirmation on you not doing test firings, my OH bought from you so that's a help. Good point about taking the bag out on the removable systems too.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

Interestingly I've just been contacted by ABS to advise that to ship the steel canister I need to activate it in the airbag so the canister is no longer classed as hazardous and can be shipped by DHL. So if I was confident that the shop I purchased the backpack from had never fired it I would still have to send it back on the basis it had now been fired using a suspect canister.

Looks like backpack and empty canister going back. Wonder if they'll be able to get them back to me in 2 weeks when the trip I had specially purchased the bag for is?

Hmmmmm

A snowHead

Snowhead Davidof has post an article on his web site.

http://pistehors.com/third-recall-for-abs-airbag-system-23651154.htm

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I'm sure they've gone through all the options but I would have thought they could have done something through the dealers, e.g. test fire it using a known good cylinder and just replace or send back the ones that don't work. As it is I'm left with the dilemma of either sending it off and risking it not coming back in time or taking the chance on it not working when it's needed; as someone said above safety equipment has to work, but not having the safety equipment at all has got to be worse.

Or as mine is less than 12 months old I guess I could go and lean on the dealer I got it from for a replacement on the grounds of not being fit for purpose.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

A few points:

1. I would have thought that 99% of airbags would have been test fired with a steel cartridge, so they are all at risk.
2. The only 'safe' cartridges were filed after 03.12.2014, so that pretty much cancels out all current dealer stock.
3. I sent my airbag for a service in November 2013, and it took 5 weeks to be returned.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Mine was test fired about 2011 Sad

You'll need to Register first of course.

I have recently received a new bag and have not yet done the testing inflation ( was waiting for 25 Dec).
Can i safely assume that it wasn't fired at the factory as part of quality assurance process?

What is going to be interesting in this process is how long it takes them to check and send back (I.e will it be back before I go to mountains). My reasoning is that I'm better to have a potentially bad bag with me that nothing at all.
Then send it for checking in spring.
That's assuming that they can provide a quick replacement on cylinders.

It will be helpful if Snowheads can post their experiences on here of turn around times.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@ajdetpwm, I share your view, ours staying here until spring and the dust settles.....I know ours work fine, we test and replace the carbon cylinders every year (and set it off by mistake too but don't tell anyone apart from those who know and TTP out of me at about 2700m!!)

I'm pretty sure this is nothing to worry about but fair play to ABS they have to do a recall knowing there COULD be an issue, I'm sure it could have been swept under the carpet but they've manned-up well done them. I bet their canister supplier ain't too happy though!

After all it is free

@Markymark29, you should be okay if you have carbon cylinders - the recall is just for steel. But how can we be certain that it was never test fired with steel in factory or shop?
I have received my shipping note today, I'm going to return the two steel cylinders for replacement with newer versions (can always buy another if that isn't back in time).

Agree that it should be interpreted as a positive step in doing a public recall - this will be huge - it must be effect nearly all their twin bag devices in living memory.

To be honest I might keep mine this winter and get it tested in the summer. I figure that the minute chance that contamination from a test firing two years ago will affect it is not as important as doing a lot of off piste skiing with no bag at all.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

@Scarpa, yep agreed

@ajdetpwm, I reckon it'd have manifest itself by now if there was an issue, been thinking and seriously can't be faffed until spring/ summer the thought of messing about chasing up with ski trips pending when there's a pile of 1000's in the queue in front is one I can do without........it's a summer thing!

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@Markymark29, I am out in Austria for the winter so may be able to sort a quick turnaround out there. I'll look into it.

snow reports

Just to add another twist

Just bought a new ABS this month (on 3rd Dec), test fired with Steel (made oct 2014). Do you think the ABS would be covered under warranty and therefore should be replaced rather than covered under recall?

Ordinarily I would have gone with the flow and sent it via the recall BUT, i have a hol in Tignes on 3rd Jan, followed by the S11BB, so if I send my pack, its unlikely ill be able to use it all season. Im not angry, just gutted that ive spent a lot of money on the pack, not to be able to use it.

Its A freerider 24, so do you think keep the pack and see if the MASS unit can be exchanged under the warranty (its only 18days old!)

To make things worse, I bet hiring and ABS in resort will be a nightmare now, that is if they bother with the recall!!

@PaulC1984, You could do another test firing with a carbon cylinder to see if there are any issues. I know that is no guarantee but to my way of thinking... if you are unlucky enough to get caught in a big slide then having a pack may at the least halve the odds of you dying in it. Adding a few tens of thousands chance of one of the pieces of debris causing a problem to your pack doesn't seem like a big risk to me. I am going to carry on using mine this winter, if I get a chance to have it inspected I will, but I'd rather ride with it as it is than without it.

You know it makes sense.

@PaulC1984, the ABS rep for the region is based in Vd'I and I know you can rent there. I'd speak to the company, explain the situation and see if they can sort you out with a rental.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

@Scarpa, My thoughts too. I wonder when the recall will end, IE do I wait until after the S11BB to send it in

Public thanks for Tim at Snowshepherd for doing all he can to help out, great to have someone on hand to answer questions

A snowHead

http://www.alpineexperience.com/waynes-daily-diary/1235/abs-recall

I read the comments on Alpine Experience diary last night, and they now have me worried about even being able to get replacement canisters within a few weeks.
I have 2 canisters, one for test firing (not yet done) and one main one.
I am now only going to return them one at a time - so at least I have one with me, in event of major backlog delays on replacements

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Just had a great chat with SnowShepherd and hes now offering free Carbon Cylinder upgrades with all new packs, now is clearly the time to buy with him!! Great service!

You need to Login to know who's really who.

does anyone know if you were able to walk into a shop that stocked the carbon you could just upgrade?

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@ajc2260626, I doubt it. Id imagine anyone who stocks carbons will only sell them with packs now so that they can shift this year stock of back packs, otherwise they will have a pile of packs and no cylinders.

You'll need to Register first of course.

@PaulC1984, note to myslef - i said packs way too many times in that last post!

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@PaulC1984, how many pax does it take to pack packs? Laughing

After all it is free

@Markymark29, Happy

Spoke with ABS hotline this morning:
I have had my bag circa 6 years. I have test fired it every year at least once using steel canisters. Jan2013 I upgraded to 2 carbon cylinders but have not fired it since the upgrade. The tech at ABS advised that I test fire it using one of my carbon cylinders and if there are no issues I have no problem. I have however sent my bag sans cylinders for a service that has been due for some time now. They hope to have my bag back out to me one week after receiving it. My impression is that the issue with recall bags is that they are expecting to have a problem with replacement cylinders and therefore want commit to any sort of time frame.
Hope this is helpful chaps and good luck.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

If I can do a test fire with my carbon.... hmmm, but then I'd be lugging a heavy steel canister around, unless I could find a kind place to exchange it.

Help!!

ABS Recall

snowHeads Forum Index >>> Off Piste