This malfunctioning Nerf toy can cut a kid's face, so it's been recalled

Though it carries the name linked to spongy, pain-free play — Nerf — the Hauck Nerf Battle Racer Go Kart can cause a big enough owwie that about 28,400 were recalled in the United States and Canada Tuesday.

The exact problem with the Big Wheel-like pedal-powered kart, as explained in the recall notice: "The steering wheel on the go-kart can detach, break or crack while in use, posing a laceration and/or collision hazard to young children."

And the steering wheel has detached, broken or cracked 639 times to Hauck's knowledge. One kid's lacerated face required stitches. Another kid received a minor chest scrape.

This covers karts made between January 2016 and March 2017. The manufacturing date can be found on the underside of the seat.

Hauck wants consumers to contact the company for replacement steering wheels by either calling 1-877-428-2545 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday or going online.

This story was originally published May 8, 2018 at 4:59 PM with the headline "This malfunctioning Nerf toy can cut a kid's face, so it's been recalled."