Huffy UTV Lawsuit: Is This Ride-On Toy a Fire Risk?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Huffy Corp. knowingly sold defective Huffy Torex 24V UTVs with a wiring defect that could cause overheating and burns, posing a fire hazard to children.

Consumers Affected: U.S. residents who purchased the recalled Huffy Torex 24V UTV between August 2019 and December 2024.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division

A new class action lawsuit claims Huffy Corp. knowingly sold defective children’s ride-on vehicles that could overheat and cause burns without warning customers of the risk.

The product in question, the Huffy Torex 24V Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), was sold through Walmart between 2019 and 2024. More than 24,000 units were later recalled due to a wiring defect that allegedly allows internal components to degrade and create a fire hazard. 

A parent who purchased the product has now filed suit, alleging consumer fraud, safety violations, and harm to children who rode the UTV.

Wiring Allegedly Causes Smoke, Burns, and Fire Hazards

The lawsuit centers on a component inside the ride-on vehicle’s wiring system that is prone to failure. According to the complaint, this degraded connector can cause the UTV to overheat while in use, emitting smoke and raising the risk of burns or fire.

Jackie Crowe, the named plaintiff, says she purchased the $600 toy without knowing it carried these dangers. She claims her child came running inside “screaming that their feet were on fire” after using the vehicle, which had begun to emit smoke. Crowe alleges that Huffy had access to safer wiring materials and configurations but chose not to use them.

The complaint also states that the problem existed before the vehicles were released and that the company failed to alert buyers in time to prevent injuries.

Repair-Only Recall Sparks Further Criticism

Huffy issued a recall on April 24, 2025, affecting about 24,700 units of the ride-on UTV. The company offered a free repair kit, which it said would address the overheating issue.

However, the lawsuit argues that this remedy falls short. Parents who purchased the UTV were not given a refund or replacement option. Crowe says she remains concerned the product could still pose a danger, even after the repair, and that the recall did not go far enough to keep families safe.

In her complaint, Crowe alleges that Huffy should have disclosed the wiring risk upfront and offered full compensation to affected buyers, rather than providing what she views as a limited and inadequate fix.

Huffy's Response Deemed Inadequate for Child Safety

Crowe contends that she and thousands of other parents believed they were purchasing a safe ride-on toy. The company’s product materials never mentioned the overheating hazard or suggested any safety concerns.

The complaint states that families trusted the Huffy brand and had no reason to suspect the UTV could overheat, emit smoke, or injure a child. As a result, consumers may have paid for a product they would not have chosen had the defect been revealed.

According to the lawsuit, Huffy’s decision to omit safety information misled buyers and put children at risk. It accuses the manufacturer of deceptive business practices and selling a dangerous item without proper warnings.

In the Huffy class action lawsuit, Crowe is seeking to represent all U.S. residents who purchased the recalled UTV between August 2019 and December 2024. She is requesting a jury trial, reimbursement for affected customers, and damages for alleged harm and consumer fraud.

The complaint lists several legal grounds, including breach of warranty, fraudulent concealment, and negligence. It also calls for class certification, which would allow all qualifying buyers to seek relief together in a single case.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Crowe v. Huffy Corp.
• Case Number: 3:25-cv-00136-MJN-CHG 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Andrew Baker (The Baker Law Group)
• Paul J. Doolittle (Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC)

Do you own a Huffy Torex 24V UTV? Share your experience or safety concerns below.