It turns out Tesla isn't the only car manufacturer experiencing a mass recall for its video-game-esque car because of pedal-related issues. Now a bunch of drivable Mario Kart toys are being recalled because they seems to pose a significant crash hazard to their drivers.
JAKKs Pacific, a California-based toy company, recalled 17,500 units of its Mario Kart 24V Ride-On Racer Cars on April 25 because of a crash hazard related to its battery-powered acceleration pedal. According to the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission, if debris gets clogged in the $400 Mario Kart’s acceleration pedal, it can cause the pedal to stick even if the rider’s foot isn’t pressing down on it.
“The firm has received 65 reports of incidents of debris-clogged pedals sticking, of which 15 of the vehicles crashed into permanent structures with one minor injury, a chafed hand,” the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission wrote in its recall report.
For anyone who already purchased the Mario Kart from online and brick-and-mortar stores like Amazon, Walmart, or Target, between October 2022 to January 2024, the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission recommends that users immediately stop using it and contact Jakks Pacific to receive a free repair kit, which includes a free replacement pedal and installation instructions.
If there’s an upside to this whole debacle, it's that gamers will have a genuine experience modding their karts just like they were in Mario Kart 8.
Isaiah Colbert is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow them on Twitter @ShinEyeZehUhh.
