#CPSC

Polaris Industries has initiated a recall of the Ranger 500 EFI and the four-seater Ranger Crew 500 EFI because of a risk of the throttle cable melting. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, heat from the exhaust pipe may damage the cable, causing a loss of throttle control. Polaris has received one report of a throttle failing to return to idle after accelerating. The operator lost control and was thrown from the Ranger, scraping a shin.

American Honda has issued a recall on approximately 21,000 Foreman ATVs. According to recall notice, the ATV’s steering shaft can break unexpectedly and cause the rider to lose steering control and crash.

Honda has received 18 reports of the steering shaft breaking, including two in which the riders were involved in a crash. No injuries have been reported.

Yamaha, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued a recall of the 2012 Big Bear 400 ATV.

According to the recall notice, the front shock absorber can break apart, which can cause the rider to lose control. Yamaha is aware of 14 incidents of the front shocks braking apart. No injuries have been reported.

Click here for our Yamaha Big Bear 400 Review

About 100 2012 ATVs are affected by the recall, which were sold at Yamaha ATV dealers nationwide from August 2012 to May 2013 for between $6,500 and $7,000. The recall affects about 100 2012 ATVs. The model numbers YFM40FBBGR, YFM40FBBL and YFM40FGBGR can be found on the left and right side panels of the unit. The VIN number is stamped on the frame just behind the front left wheel. The letter “C” in the 10th position of the VIN indicates the ATV was made in 2012.

Polaris, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has issued a recall of the 2011 Polaris RZR XP 900 due to a burn hazard.

According to the recall notice, the firewall between the driver and passenger seats can overheat and melt. The CPSC has received one report of an incident involving a consumer who received burn injuries to a finger.

This recall involves only 2011 model Polaris Ranger RZR XP 900 models (about 4,500) – the first model year of Polaris’ popular sport UTV.

Three off-road vehicle manufacturers ( BRP/Can-Am, John Deere and Polaris) issued a total of four recall notices in January, all involving Side-by-Sides.

Can-Am Commander

BRP issued two separate recall notices for the Can-Am Commander. The first notice was issued on January 10 due to a improper assembly of the steering column to the rack and pinion, which can result in the loss of steering control. This recall affects about 3,400 models, including the 2011-12 Can-Am Commander 800 and 1000, 2011-12 Can-Am Commander XT 800R and 1000, 2011-12 Can-Am Commander X 1000, and 2012 Can-Am Commander Limited 1000.

BRP has received three reports of loss of steering, but no injuries have been reported. Affected models were sold at Can-Am dealers nationwide from April 2011 through December 2012 for between $11,700 and $21,000.

The second Can-Am Commander recall was issued on January 29. According to the recall notice, debris such as leaves, hay and grass in wet terrain areas can collect in the vehicle’s exhaust pipe area in a short period of time. A hot exhaust pipe and accumulated debris that has dried poses a risk of fire. This recall affects about 25,000 models, including the 2011-13 Can-Am Commander 800 and 1000, 2011-12 Can-Am Commander XT 800R and 1000, 2011-12 Can-Am Commander X 1000, 2012-13 Can-Am Commander Limited 1000, and 2013 Can-Am Commander DPS 800R and 1000. The affected 2013 models only affect those with the front grill kit.

BRP has received 18 reports of fires related to accumulated debris in the exhaust pipe area, including one report of minor burns to the hand. Affected models were sold at Can-Am dealers nationwide from April 2010 through November 2012 for between $11,700 and $21,000.

American Honda, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued a recall of 2012 Honda FourTrax Rancher models.

According to the recall notice, a weld on the ATV’s front right and left upper suspension arms can separate, which can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle. About 19,500 units are involved in the recall. Honda is aware of 10 incidents of suspension arm weld failures, including one in which a rider suffered a sprained wrist.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced that Bad Boy Enterprises, LLC of Natchez, Miss., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $715,000. The penalty settlement agreement has been provisionally accepted by the Commission.

According to the CPSC, the settlement is the result of allegations that Bad Boy Enterprises failed to immediately report, as required by federal law, a defect involving Classic Buggies off-road utility vehicles with Series brand and SePex brand electric motors that resulted in sudden acceleration incidents and injuries to consumers. The off-road utility vehicles with Series motors were sold between 2003 and June 2007 and the off-road utility vehicles with a SePex motors were sold between 2007 and June 2010. Both the Series and SePex off-road utility vehicles could suddenly accelerate during use or while the ignition is in the idle position, creating a runaway vehicle situation.

In 2008, Bad Boy Enterprises implemented a repair program for the SePex off-road utility buggies to address the sudden acceleration defect without notifying the Commission. The firm did not report to the Commission until August 2009. CPSC and Bad Boy Enterprises announced the first recall for sudden acceleration on October 21, 2009.

Finally, some legislative news out of Washington that doesn’t involve the phrase “debt ceiling”. The U.S. House and the Senate have passed a bill that would exempt youth off-highway vehicles from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, also known as the “lead ban”.

The House approved the bill, H.R. 2715, which amends the CPSIA to exempt off-highway vehicles and gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission the discretion to allow other exemptions.

The bill, introduced by Reps. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), was approved by a 421-2 vote on Aug. 1, and later that day passed unanimously through the Senate. The bill now awaits the signature of President Barack Obama before it becomes law.

Enacted in 2008, the CPSIA was designed to prohibit the sale of products containing certain levels of substances such as lead. As a result, the CPSIA banned the sale of youth OHVs because of traces of lead. The CPSC, which enforces the CPSIA, put a stay on enforcement of the act when it comes to OHVs, as various groups lobbied for an amendment.

[Source: AMA, MIC]

The ATV safety community recently marked the enactment of “Chandler’s Law,” which is aimed at protecting South Carolina’s young ATV riders through rider training, parental supervision, the use of proper safety gear, and prohibitions on children riding adult-sized models.

The event in the state capitol included South Carolina native Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Senator Brad Hutto of South Carolina, representatives from the ATV Safety Institute and Pam and Steve Saylor, whose son Chandler died in an ATV crash in 2003. Signed in May by Gov. Nikki Haley, the new law officially took effect on July 1, 2011.

“At the CPSC, we know that an experienced rider is often a safe rider,” says Tenenbaum. “This is why the new training requirements in Chandler’s Law – the training courses conducted by ASI – are so important.”

Chandler’s Law is based on Model State ATV Safety Legislation, created by the not-for-profit Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA). This model legislation has been promoted and proposed to South Carolina and states throughout America by the SVIA for more than two decades.

“We truly hope that ATV enthusiasts throughout South Carolina, and even across the country, abide by Chandler’s Law, not only to honor his memory, but to dramatically increase their own safety,” says Pam Saylor. “It’s absolutely critical that ATV riders under 16 receive hands-on training by licensed trainers, ride the right size ATV and wear safety gear while operating these vehicles.”