Global inspection and replacement notice for Shimano cranks due to risk of breakage: how to identify them and what to do?

Manufacturer Shimano issued a major safety notice on Thursday, September 21, warning of possible breakage of some Dura Ace and Ultegra crank models. Initially it was only intended for models sold in the U.S. and Canada, but it has only taken a day to extend the safety warning globally. If you have one of these crank models pay attention because they could break.

Shimano starts inspection and replacement program
 Dura Ace and Ultegra cranksets

The origin of the warning issued by Shimano comes from one released by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) in which it certified 6 cases of injuries of varying degrees caused by the breakage of some models sold during a period of 11 years, from January 2012 to August 2023, after having collected up to 4,519 incidents related to the breakage of this type of crankset. Bikeradar goes further and claims that problems with Shimano Hollowtech 11-Speed road cranksets could affect up to 2.8 million units worldwide.

In any case, Shimano has begun a global safety, inspection and replacement program, which will begin on October 1 for all users with affected models.

How to identify if your Shimano cranks are affected and what to do?

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This inspection notice only affects ULTEGRA and DURA-ACE cranksets produced between June 1, 2012 and June 30, 2019, inclusive. To find out if your crankset is affected, follow these steps.

STEP 1 - Determine whether your crankset needs to be inspected

Not all affected cranksets will have to be removed, but they must pass a prior inspection. This is how you should identify them.

STEP 1A – Identify the model number of your crankset

The affected products are DURA-ACE and ULTEGRA branded cranksets with the following model numbers: ULTEGRA FC-6800, FC-R8000 and DURA-ACE FC-9000, FC-R9100 and FC-R9100-P. The model numbers are stamped on the inside of the crank arm near the bottom of the arm (see yellow square in the image below).

If your serial number does not match the affected ones you will not have to do anything. Otherwise, read on.

STEP 1B – Identify the manufacturing code stamped on your crank arm

A manufacturing code is stamped on the inside of the crank arm near the bottom of the arm (see the blue square in the image above). The affected models are pre-July 2019 production and have the following two-letter production codes: KF, KG, KH, KI, KJ, KK, KL, LA, LB, LC, LD, LE, LF, LG, LH, LI, LJ, LK, LL, MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, MF, MG, MH, MI, MJ, MK, ML, NA, NB, NC, ND, NE, NF, NG, NH, NI, NJ, NK, NL, OA, OB, OC, OD, OE, OF, OG, OH, OI, OJ, OK, OL, PA, PB, PC, PD, PE, PF, PG, PH, PI, PJ, PK, PL, QA, QB, QC, QD, QE, QF, QG, QH, QI, QJ, QK, QL, RA, RB, RC, RD, RE, and RF.

If your manufacturing code does not match the affected ones you will not have to do anything. Otherwise, read on.

Consumers who believe they have one of the affected components should contact an authorized Shimano dealer to request a free overhaul of the crankset.

If you are not sure how to check the manufacturing code, you can contact a local Shimano dealer. Below are the contact phone numbers for each country.

STEP 2 – Take the bicycle to the dealer for inspection

Shimano has developed the crankset inspection process and will provide clear instructions and tutorials for dealers. Shimano anticipates that the inspections will be possible starting from OCTOBER 1, 2023. Further details will be announced shortly here. 

The dealer will inspect the crankset for signs of bonding separation or delamination.
Consumers whose cranksets show signs of bonding separation or delamination during the inspection will be provided a free replacement crankset from Shimano that the dealer will professionally install. If your crankset needs replacement following the inspection, please do not use it. If a replacement crankset is temporarily unavailable, Shimano will notify you through your dealer when the replacement is ready.
The replaced crankset will be a special version, which may feature a different cosmetic appearance while maintaining the same level of performance.

STEP 3 – Ride safely and continue to maintain your bicycle/equipment

Cranksets that pass inspection and have no signs of delamination may continue to ride normally, although Shimano advises that you check your bike regularly and pay attention to changes in the sound and feel of your bike.

How to contact Shimano

For more contact information and details, you can visit this page that SHIMANO has created specifically. Or call the official Shimano Inspection Program helpline from 09:00 and 21:00 CET (Monday to Friday) and 09:00 to 17:00 CET (Saturdays only). Numbers are not toll free and regional rates may apply.

• International: +31792077017

• The Netherlands: +31792077018

• United Kingdom: +441174094110

• Germany: +4923129295084

• Belgium: +3233187827

• Spain: +34936096836

• France: +33173071925