Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
When riding a motorcycle, safety and control are paramount. But what happens when the machine itself puts you at risk? That’s precisely what led to the nationwide recall of several KTM and Husaberg motorcycles due to a serious throttle cable defect. For Oklahoma riders, understanding how this recall works and what legal rights you may have is key, especially if you’ve been injured.
KTM North America issued a recall on several competition and off-road motorcycles after identifying a problem with the throttle cable. The defect can cause the throttle to stick open during use, making the bike accelerate on its own. This creates an obvious risk of crashes, especially at high speeds or during off-road riding.
The affected motorcycles include multiple KTM and Husaberg models from the 2012 and 2013 model years.
The throttle cable defect on KTM and Husaberg motorcycles may cause the throttle to stick, leading to sudden acceleration and loss of control—a known risk factor for serious off-road and street crashes.
If you ride a KTM or Husaberg motorcycle from 2012 or 2013, your bike may be part of this recall. You can identify your model and year by checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is located on the right side of the steering head.
The 10th character of the VIN reveals the model year:
The 10th character in the VIN can confirm the model year: the letter ‘C’ indicates a 2012 model, and ‘D’ indicates a 2013 model.
Below is a breakdown of the recalled models.
| Brand | Model | Year(s) Affected | VIN Identifier | Notes |
| KTM | 85 SX, 85 SXS | 2013 | D | Closed course competition |
| KTM | 125 SX, 150 SX, 150 XC | 2013 | D | Off-road motorcycles |
| KTM | 200 XC-W to 300 XC-W | 2013 | D | Enduro/off-road use |
| Husaberg | TE 250, TE 300 | 2012–2013 | C, D | Rear fender model ID location |
A stuck throttle means your bike may accelerate unexpectedly, and you may struggle to slow it down. For experienced and new riders alike, this can quickly turn into a potentially hazardous situation, potentially leading to a crash. Even though no injuries were reported at the time of the recall, the risk is very real.
Motorcycles require precise control. Any mechanical defect that disrupts power, even for a brief period, can result in significant injuries or worse.
Motorcycles with known safety recalls should not be ridden until inspected. Riding a recalled vehicle may affect your ability to claim damages in the case of an accident .
Under Oklahoma law, you may have the right to seek compensation if a defective product, like a motorcycle, injures you. This area of law is called product liability.
Three common types of defects can lead to claims:
To file a successful claim, your legal team must demonstrate that the flaw was the direct cause of your accident and injuries.
Oklahoma law allows injured victims to pursue compensation if a product defect can be shown to have directly caused the accident. This includes design flaws, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings.
Oklahoma also follows the rule of comparative negligence. That means even if you were partly at fault in the accident, you can still recover compensation, as long as someone else or something else (like a defective product) was mainly to blame.
Under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence rule, your compensation may be reduced if you’re found partially at fault for the crash. However, you may still recover damages if the other party or product was primarily responsible.
If your motorcycle is on the recall list, stop riding it immediately. It’s not worth the risk. Your next step is to contact your local authorized dealer and schedule a free inspection or repair. The manufacturer is covering these costs.
You can also check the recall status online:
Even if your bike appears to be in good condition, defects like throttle cable issues can develop without warning. It only takes one ride for something to go wrong.
If you were in a crash involving one of these motorcycles—especially if the throttle malfunctioned—you may have grounds for a product liability claim.
It’s essential to take the following steps right away:
Legal professionals can help investigate the cause of your accident, connect with technical experts, and ascertain whether a flaw contributed to the accident. If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, missed work, and more.
Check the VIN on the right side of your steering head. Look at the 10th character: “C” = 2012, “D” = 2013. Then visit the KTM or Husaberg official websites for recall lookup.
Yes. If the throttle defect caused or contributed to your crash, you may be eligible for a product liability claim under Oklahoma law.
You may recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, misery, and further losses brought on by the defective product.
Seek medical attention, document the scene, preserve the motorcycle, and speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury. However, it’s best to speak with an attorney promptly to confirm deadlines.
No. Even if your bike appears to work correctly, throttle defects can occur unpredictably. Riding it may put you and others at risk.
Motorcycle recalls like this one are a reminder that even trusted brands can have safety issues. If you own one of the affected KTM or Husaberg models, take action now—stop riding, check the VIN, and schedule a repair. If you’ve already been injured, you may have a legal claim and could be entitled to compensation.
At Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, we help riders understand their rights and hold manufacturers accountable for putting unsafe products on the road. If you’ve been hurt due to a defective motorcycle, we’re here to support your recovery and guide you every step of the way.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
