509 Issues Helmet Recall Affecting More Than 200,000 Units

The 509 brand and its parent company Polaris is recalling a broad cross-section of helmets after a single reported incident involving an ATV rider.

On June 8, the recall issued through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission asked for consumers to contact 509, return or check about 201,200 helmets branded as 509 or 509 for Polaris in the U.S., with another 26,800 of those helmets were sold in Canada.

The recall follows notices Polaris and 509 originally started sending out to consumers on May 1.

The size of the recall is rather shocking. It mainly affects MX-style helmets that are used with goggles, but it does also include some full face and modular designs. It includes a broad range of helmets manufactured from 2020 to current.

The key unifying feature in the recalled helmets: The magnet-based Fidlock attachment system.

Helmet Strap & Fidlock Problem

According to an owner’s manual addendum that Polaris filed on May 1, the problem is related to the routing of the strap leading into the Fidlock hoop and buckle.

After looking at the notice, it seems to us like a very simple fix. Most helmets, therefore, will be able to be quickly fixed and can afterward stay in use by their owners.

However, there are select 509 Tactical 2.0 helmets in sizes Small and Medium that the company plans to collect and destroy.

The recall affects select Altitude, Tactical, Delta and Mach helmets. You can see the full list here.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helmets,” the recall states. “Consumers with a recalled ‘509’ branded Tactical 3.0 or Tactical 2.0 (small/medium manufactured in 2023) helmet should contact 509 for instructions on how to participate in the recall and to receive a choice of a refund (if purchased online), or a credit to be used on 509’s website or a replacement helmet. Consumers with a recalled ‘509 for Polaris’ branded Tactical 3.0 or Tactical 2.0 (small/medium manufactured in 2023) helmet should contact Polaris for a choice of a refund, a credit to use at a Polaris dealership or on the Polaris website, or a replacement helmet. Proof of purchase is not required. All helmets should be discarded in the local household trash after consumers have confirmed their helmet is being recalled by 509 or Polaris and follow the destruction instructions located on the website.

“Polaris is also providing their customers who have the recalled 509 and 509 for Polaris helmets with Fidlock, with instructions on how to inspect the webbing on the chin strap to make sure it is repaired, by routing it correctly,” the recall states.

Typically with recalls, the CPSC states incidents and injuries that triggered the recall, often with gory details. In this instance, though, it said, “The first received one incident where the rider’s helmet became detached during a crash, resulting in a concussion.”

Either way, if you’ve got a 509 helmet, best to check it out.