Is Your Trek Bike Part of the Coaster Brake Recall? How to Check in Minutes
Trek has announced a safety recall affecting over 75,000 bikes and replacement rear wheels because the coaster brake may not engage properly, creating a serious crash hazard.
If your child (or you) rides a Trek Precaliber or Electra bike with a coaster brake, this applies to you. At Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness in South Burlington, VT, we want to help you quickly figure out whether your bike is affected and make sure it’s safe to ride again.
What’s Going On With the Trek Coaster Brake Recall?
Trek discovered that some coaster brake assemblies did not receive adequate lubrication. Over time, this can cause internal parts to wear faster and potentially fail. If that happens, the pedals may spin backward without resistance, and the rider may not be able to stop the bike—especially scary on kids’ bikes.
Because of this, Trek, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued a recall and a clear message: stop riding affected bikes immediately and get the rear wheel replaced.
Which Bikes and Wheels Are Included?
The recall covers select 2024 and 2026 model year bikes with coaster brakes, sold between August 2023 and September 2025:
- Trek Precaliber (kids’ bikes)
- Precaliber 12 (select 2026)
- Precaliber 16 (select 2024 & 2026)
- Precaliber 20 (select 2024 & 2026)
- Electra bikes
- Electra Townie Rental 1 Step Thru (2026)
- Electra Sprocket 1 16″ (2026)
- Replacement rear wheels with coaster brakes
- Trek Precaliber 12 CB replacement wheel
- Trek Precaliber 16 CB replacement wheel
- Trek Precaliber 20 CB replacement wheel
Around 68,000 units were sold in the U.S., 6,820 in Canada, and just over 2,000 in Europe.
U.S.
Step 1: Stop Riding Any Trek/Electra Bike With a Coaster Brake
If your Trek or Electra bike uses a coaster brake (you brake by pedaling backward), assume it might be affected and:
- Stop riding it immediately.
- Set it aside until you confirm its status.
This includes kids’ Precaliber bikes and the Electra models listed above.
Step 2: Find Your Bike’s Serial Number
To confirm whether your bike is part of the recall, you’ll need the serial number. Trek has made this simple:
- Turn the bike upside down or carefully rest it on a repair stand.
- Look under the bottom bracket, between the pedals.
- You’ll see a code stamped into the frame that starts with “WTU.”
That full “WTU…” number is your serial number—take a clear photo of it so you don’t have to flip the bike again.
Step 3: Use Trek’s Online Recall Look-Up Tool
Trek has created a dedicated online tool to check whether your bike or replacement wheel is included in the recall.
- Go to Trek’s Coaster Brake Recall page:
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/coasterbrake-recall-inquiry/ - Enter your serial number exactly as it appears on your frame.
- The tool will tell you whether your bike or wheel is included.
If you’re not sure you’re entering it correctly, or the result is confusing, you can always call or visit us at Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness and we’ll help you check.
Step 4: If Your Bike Is Included, Schedule a Free Repair
If the tool confirms that your bike or wheel is included in the recall, the next step is simple:
- Contact Earl’s bike service dept to schedule a repair.
- The fix is a free rear wheel replacement with a properly lubricated and safe coaster brake assembly.
At Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness in South Burlington, VT, our service department can:
- Confirm your recall status
- Order the correct replacement rear wheel (if needed)
- Install it and double-check overall bike safety
- Answer any other questions about your child’s bike setup, sizing, and fit
Step 5: Don’t Forget Your $20 In-Store Credit
Trek is also offering a $20 in-store credit (or local equivalent outside the U.S.) when you bring your affected bike in for inspection and recall repair. The credit can be used toward Trek, Electra, or Bontrager merchandise and we can help you put that to good use.
That’s a nice bonus if your rider needs:
- A new helmet
- Lights or a bell
- Gloves or basic cycling gear
- A lock or kickstand
What If Your Bike Isn’t in the Recall?
If your Trek or Electra bike doesn’t show up as affected, that’s great news—but it’s still a good time to:
- Schedule a safety check or tune-up
- Have us verify that the brakes, tires, and drivetrain are all in good working order
- Make sure the bike fits your child’s current height (kids outgrow frames fast)
At Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness, we offer:
- Full bike service and repairs for kids’ and adult bikes
- New bikes—including mountain bikes, e-bikes, road and gravel bikes
- Home fitness equipment if you want to stay active year-round
So even if your bike isn’t part of the recall, we’re happy to give it a once-over for peace of mind.
Need Help? We’re Here in South Burlington, VT
If you’re unsure about:
Whether your bike has a coaster brake
- How to find the serial number
- What the recall tool is telling you
…just reach out.
Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness in South Burlington, VT has a full service department and a team who works with Trek bikes every day. We’ll help you:
- Confirm whether your bike or wheel is part of the recall
- Coordinate the free rear wheel replacement if needed
- Make sure your bike leaves the shop safe, tuned, and ready to ride
Your family’s safety matters more than any ride—let’s make sure your bike is ready for many more miles.