Bell Sports is recalling 400 medium-size Pit Boss motorcycle helmets manufactured from January 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026. NHTSA says the helmets may not provide adequate impact protection and therefore fail Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. The federal campaign number is 26E061.
NHTSA marks this campaign with a Do Not Drive advisory. A helmet that does not absorb enough crash energy can increase the risk of head injury, so this is not a recall to postpone until the mailed notice arrives.
What the record says
Bell will replace the recalled helmet or reimburse the owner at no charge. Owner-notification letters are expected to be mailed September 7, 2026. Owners can contact Bell customer service now at 800-216-9446 for instructions.
What dealers and customers should know
What this means for riders: check the product label for the Pit Boss model, medium size and manufacturing date. If all three match the recalled description—or if the label is missing or unclear—stop using the helmet and have Bell confirm its status. Use a different properly certified motorcycle helmet before riding again.
What this means for shoppers: do not buy a used or clearance Pit Boss helmet without inspecting its size and date label. Ask the seller to document that it is outside campaign 26E061 or that Bell has supplied the remedy. A helmet's appearance cannot confirm that it provides the required impact protection.
Why it matters
the recall population is small, but the consequence is direct because a motorcycle helmet has one job during a crash. Replacement or reimbursement is free, and the safer choice is to remove a potentially affected helmet from service rather than rely on the absence of visible damage.
AI-assisted reporting disclosure
This article was researched and generated with AI-assisted systems using the direct references listed below. Dealership Tech Report applies automated accuracy and risk checks, but recalls, investigations, incentives and market conditions can change. Verify time-sensitive details with the cited primary source before acting.
Recall and investigation coverage applies only to vehicles included by VIN or the official campaign record. Affected populations, remedy timing and instructions can change. Check the exact VIN and current manufacturer or NHTSA guidance before sale, delivery or repair.
Cited references
- NHTSA recall record — campaign 26E061 — Direct reference; development dated Aug. 30, 2026
- Bell Helmets recall center — Supporting direct reference
- NHTSA recall search — Supporting direct reference