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CPSC recall · Reported June 13, 2017

GTHI Recalls Climbing Belay Devices Due to Fall and Injury Hazards

The handle on the Vergo belay device can loosen and cause the device's assisted braking capacity to malfunction, posing fall and injury hazards to climbers.

Recall #
17176
Affected scope
About 2,600 (in addition, about 100 were sold in Canada)
Verify with CPSC →
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Great Trango Holdings Inc. (Gthi), of Lafayette, Colo. recalled This recall involves Trango Vergo belay devices with batch numbers 16159 and 16195 printe… - a moderate-severity action.

GTHI Recalls Climbing Belay Devices Due to Fall and Injury Hazards was recalled by Great Trango Holdings Inc. (Gthi), of Lafayette, Colo. in June 13, 2017. Reason: The handle on the Vergo belay device can loosen and cause the device's assisted braking capacity to malfuncti…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled devices and contact Trango for instr…. Verify recall #17176 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Great Trango Holdings Inc. (Gthi), of Lafayette, Colo. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The handle on the Vergo belay device can loosen and cause the device's assisted braking capacity to malfuncti….

Moderate
severity level
June 13, 2017
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #17176 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #17176) was formally reported on June 13, 2017. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Great Trango Holdings Inc. (Gthi), of Lafayette, Colo. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 2,600 (in addition, about 100 were sold in Canada).

The documented reason for this recall is: The handle on the Vergo belay device can loosen and cause the device's assisted braking capacity to malfunction, posing fall and injury hazards to climbers. 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 devices and contact Trango for instructions on receiving a free replacement. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 3 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Medical Devices recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,248
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 2,600 (in addition, about 100 were sold in Canada)

Related Recalls

6

3 from same agency

Product description

This recall involves Trango Vergo belay devices with batch numbers 16159 and 16195 printed on the side of the unit. The devices were sold in blue, gold, or purple and feature the word "VERGO" on the front plate of the unit. Belay devices are used with climbing ropes to protect the climber while climbing, to arrest a fall or while being lowered on the rope.

Reason for recall

The handle on the Vergo belay device can loosen and cause the device's assisted braking capacity to malfunction, posing fall and injury hazards to climbers.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled devices and contact Trango for instructions on receiving a free replacement.

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 17176
Date reported June 13, 2017
Date initiated June 13, 2017
Recalling firm Great Trango Holdings Inc. (Gthi), of Lafayette, Colo.
Affected scope About 2,600 (in addition, about 100 were sold in Canada)
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

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

What to do with this recall

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled devices and contact Trango for instructions on receiving a free replacement.

  • Check the recall number (17176) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves Trango Vergo belay devices with batch numbers 16159 and 16195 printed on the side of the unit. The devices were sold in blue, gold, or purple and feature the word "VERGO" on the front plate of the unit. Belay devices are used with climbing ropes to protect the climber while climbing, to arrest a fall or while being lowered on the rope.. Recalled by Great Trango Holdings Inc. (Gthi), of Lafayette, Colo.. Units affected: About 2,600 (in addition, about 100 were sold in Canada).
Why was this product recalled?
The handle on the Vergo belay device can loosen and cause the device's assisted braking capacity to malfunction, posing fall and injury hazards to climbers.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled devices and contact Trango for instructions on receiving a free replacement.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on June 13, 2017. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 17176.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (17176) 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.

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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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported June 13, 2017. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.