Carabiner/Quickdraw

Safety Recall Notice

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find an answer to your question? Contact us through the recall submission form.

General Information

Why is Black Diamond doing this recall?
Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), voluntarily issued a recall, subject to user inspection, of carabiners/quickdraws because of the possibility of defects in the gate that could cause the carabiner to fail or function incorrectly.
What is the technical reason for this recall?
In some carabiners, the gate rivets (in solid gate carabiners) and wire ends (in wiregate carabiners) attaching the gate to the carabiner body may not be properly manufactured, potentially resulting in the gate becoming detached from the carabiner body. Additionally, in some screwgate locking carabiners, the locking sleeve may not have been correctly assembled, resulting in a locking carabiner that does not lock properly.
What does the carabiner gate rivet do?
One or two rivets are used in solid gate carabiners to attach the gate to the carabiner body and to serve as the hinge for the gate. The rivet is essential to holding the gate in place.
What does the term “Subject to Inspection“ mean?
We are initiating a formal recall, but, in this case, we need climbers and retail shops to visually inspect their carabiners/quickdraws and send back those that do not pass the inspection.
Has anyone been hurt because of this issue?
No injuries have been reported.
How is Black Diamond going to fix the problem?
If you find that your carabiner fails inspection, we will replace it with a new carabiner/quickdraw free of charge.
I was thinking about buying a Black Diamond carabiner. How will I be sure the product I purchase is not part of the recall?
Black Diamond is taking every step to ensure carabiners available on the market are not defective. If you have a doubt, follow the inspection procedures.

Inspection Procedure Questions

How do I know if my carabiners/quickdraws are affected by the recall?
Verify that your carabiners/quickdraws are on the list on the recall page. Then check the manufacturing code on the spine of the carabiner. If the manufacturing code is between 4350 and 6018, then your carabiner is affected by this recall and needs to be inspected. If you can not read the manufacturing code or are unsure whether or not your carabiner is covered by the recall, please follow the inspection procedures outlined on the recall page.
What carabiner models are affected by this recall?
recall page for a complete list of carabiners and quickdraws within the scope of this recall.
Are all carabiner models affected by this recall?
No. Only the models in the product list with manufacturing codes between 4350 and 6018 are included in the recall and need to be inspected.
What manufacturing codes are included in this recall?
Manufacturing codes between 4350 to 6018 (for the list of models Click here) are included in the recall and must be inspected.
I don’t remember when I bought my carabiners. What should I do?
Click here and follow the inspection procedure to determine if your carabiner has a manufacturing code that falls within the scope of this recall.
I just bought a carabiner, and the manufacturing code is within the range of the recall. Is it OK to use?
Inspect the carabiner and follow the procedures outlined on the recall page.
Where do I find the manufacturing code on my carabiner?
Manufacturing codes are imprinted into the spine of Black Diamond carabiners. Refer to the photographs on the recall page.
I can’t find the manufacturing code. What should I do?
Follow the inspection procedures outlined on the recall page.
I can’t read the manufacturing code on my carabiners/quickdraws. What should I do?
Follow the inspection procedures outlined on the recall page.
I bought my carabiner before December 2014. Is it affected by the recall?
No. But if you are in doubt, check to see if your carabiner falls within the scope of the recall.
I bought my carabiner after December 2014. Is it affected by the recall?
In most cases, yes. Follow the inspection procedures outlined on the recall page.
My carabiners are working just fine. Do I still need to inspect them?
Yes, if your carabiners fall within the scope of this recall. Even if your carabiners/quickdraws seem to be working fine, you should follow the inspection procedures outlined on the recall page.
I have quickdraws. Should I follow the same inspection process for the carabiners?
Yes.
I bought a belay package. Should I follow the inspection process for the locking carabiner?
Yes.
I bought a set of nuts/hexes. Should I follow the inspection process for the carabiner that came with them?
Yes.
I don’t feel comfortable inspecting my carabiner. What can I do?
Contact Black Diamond using the recall submission form.
I don’t know what kind of carabiners I have. How can I tell?
You can visit the carabiner section of our website for further information to help find your carabiner. If you are still unsure, inspect your carabiner following the inspection procedures outlined on the recall page.
How do I know if I have a wiregate, solid gate or screwgate locking carabiner?
A wiregate carabiner is constructed with a wire gate. A solid gate carabiner is constructed with a solid metal gate. A screwgate biner is constructed with a solid metal gate and a locking sleeve.
I can’t tell if my wiregate has been correctly formed. What do I do?
Follow the inspection procedures outlined on the recall page. Visually inspect both wiregate ends for a flared wire end. Look carefully at both sides of the carabiner to ensure that both wire ends are flared/capped. Then, with your fingers, try to separate the two wires. If the wire ends do not have a formed head or you can remove the wire from the body, return the carabiner to Black Diamond.
My carabiner is a screwgate. Do I need to inspect the rivets too?
Yes.
I can’t rotate the sleeve on my screwgate biner. What does that mean?
If you can’t rotate the sleeve and the carabiner falls within the scope of the recall, return it to Black Diamond.
I can’t tell if my screwgate’s sleeve covers enough of the nose. What do I do?
Contact Black Diamond using the recall submission form.
I only see one pin in my solid gate carabiner. What does this mean?
Some solid gate carabiners only have one pin, while others have two. Follow the inspection procedure on the recall page to see if your solid gate is affected by the recall.
There is a hole in my carabiner gate. What does that mean?
Your carabiner’s rivet has fallen out. Return to Black Diamond immediately.
I found a carabiner/quickdraw covered by the recall. What should I do?
Contact Black Diamond using the recall submission form.
I followed the inspection procedures, but I’m still not sure if my carabiners/quickdraws are safe to use. What should I do?
Contact Black Diamond using the recall submission form.

Shipping And Replacements

I bought my carabiner/quickdraw from a retail store (or online retailer), and it did not pass the inspection process. Do I need to return it to them, or do I send it directly back to Black Diamond?
Regardless of where you bought your carabiner, you should still return it to Black Diamond using the online recall submission form.
Can I fix the carabiner myself?
No. Send it back for a replacement.
How long will it take to get my replacement carabiner(s)?
Once we receive your carabiner, we will ship out a replacement within approximately three business days. Actual shipping times will depend on your location.
I’m going on a climbing trip, and I need my carabiners/quickdraws back faster. What can I do?
Contact Black Diamond using the recall submission form. We will work to find a solution.
Should I send in the whole quickdraw, including the webbing dogbone?
Please send us the entire quickdraw.
Will I get the same color carabiner when my product is returned?
We cannot guarantee that all replacements will be in the same color, but we will do our best.
Can I request to change the color of my carabiner?
No.
Can I replace my carabiner with a different model?
No.
Do I have to pay for shipping?
No. We will cover all shipping costs.
Are there special precautions to take when shipping my carabiner in for replacement?
Place it in a padded shipping envelope or in a box, and mail it using the prepaid mailer sent to you.
What is the warranty policy for Black Diamond equipment?
We warrant for one year from purchase date and only to the original retail buyer (Buyer) that our products (Products) are free from defects in material and workmanship. For headlamps our warranty is for three years. If Buyer discovers a covered defect, Buyer should return the Product to the place of purchase. In the event that this is not possible, please Click here and submit a warranty claim. The Product will be repaired or replaced at our discretion. That is the extent of our liability under this Warranty and, upon expiration of the applicable warranty period, all such liability shall terminate. We reserve the right to require proof of purchase for all warranty claims. Click here for more information about our warranty policy.
RECALL DETAILS | FAQ | carabinerrecall@bdel.com | 800-775-5552

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