PlainRecalls

Traxxas Recalls X-Maxx Monster Trucks and Electronic Speed Controls Due to Fire Hazard

Reported: June 1, 2016 Initiated: June 1, 2016 #16185 About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada) units

The recall

Traxxas LP, of McKinney, Tex. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall — Vehicle modification or electronic failure can result in a short circuit, posing a fire hazard..

Moderate
severity level
About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada)
units affected
June 1, 2016
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #16185 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #16185) was formally reported on June 1, 2016. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Traxxas LP, of McKinney, Tex. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records indicate About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada) units are affected, placing this recall in the million-unit bracket that typically triggers nationwide consumer alerts and retailer sweeps.

The documented reason for this recall is: Vehicle modification or electronic failure can result in a short circuit, posing a fire hazard. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled trucks and return their electronic speed control to their dealer for a free firmware upgrade and installation of a new fusible link, or contact Tr… — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC and NHTSA going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 1 were also issued by CPSC. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 10 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Where this recall sits in the database

Severity2119858883High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 83,949 recalls in the database, 21,198 are high severity, 58,883 moderate, and 3,868 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada)

Related Recalls

6

1 from same agency

Product Description

The recalled VXL-6s electronic speed control #3365 is sold installed in the Traxxas X-Maxx Monster Truck, model 77076-04, and is also sold separately. The electronic speed control is the electronic control module that manages the throttle control (speed), directional control (forward or reverse) and braking of the drive motor in the truck. The truck is 30 inches long, 22 inches wide and 4 inches above the ground. The truck comes in two colors, red and blue. It weighs approximately 20 pounds. The electronic speed control is located near the center of the truck in a vented blue case approximately 2 inches wide, 2 inches long and 2 inches tall. Traxxas XMaxx is displayed on the side of the truck.

Reason for Recall

Vehicle modification or electronic failure can result in a short circuit, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled trucks and return their electronic speed control to their dealer for a free firmware upgrade and installation of a new fusible link, or contact Traxxas customer support to return the electronic speed control and have a firmware upgrade and free fusible link installation.

Details

Units Affected
About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada)

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 16185
Date reported June 1, 2016
Date initiated June 1, 2016
Recalling firm Traxxas LP, of McKinney, Tex.
Units affected About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada)
Distribution Not disclosed

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Scale of Impact

About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada) units affected — million-unit bracket.

Regional (<10K units)
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units) ✓ This recall

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The recalled VXL-6s electronic speed control #3365 is sold installed in the Traxxas X-Maxx Monster Truck, model 77076-04, and is also sold separately. The electronic speed control is the electronic control module that manages the throttle control (speed), directional control (forward or reverse) and braking of the drive motor in the truck. The truck is 30 inches long, 22 inches wide and 4 inches above the ground. The truck comes in two colors, red and blue. It weighs approximately 20 pounds. The electronic speed control is located near the center of the truck in a vented blue case approximately 2 inches wide, 2 inches long and 2 inches tall. Traxxas XMaxx is displayed on the side of the truck.. Recalled by Traxxas LP, of McKinney, Tex.. Units affected: About 4,900 X-Maxx Monster Trucks and 140 VXL-6s electronic speed controls (in addition, 96 trucks were sold in Canada).
Why was this product recalled?
Vehicle modification or electronic failure can result in a short circuit, posing a fire hazard.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled trucks and return their electronic speed control to their dealer for a free firmware upgrade and installation of a new fusible link, or contact Traxxas customer support to return the electronic speed control and have a firmware upgrade and free fusible link installation.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on June 1, 2016. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 16185.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (16185) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

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Data Sources

Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: CPSC, reported June 1, 2016.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA) Aggregated federal recall feeds Recall data normalized across FDA, CPSC and NHTSA feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type).