Polaris has expanded a recall of defective ATVs that cause a fire hazard for a fourth time. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris has received six more reports of the part – called an Electronic Control Modules (ECM) – malfunctioning.
Unfortunately, ATV recalls are not unusual. March, Yamaha Motor Corp. recalled some of its popular Rhino models for a brake defect, and in May, Honda recalled 1400 Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs for a brake defect.
The original Polaris ATV recall was announced in May 2005. At that time, Polaris recalled more than 14,000 ATVs with defective ECMs. The recall involved Polaris 2004.5 ‘Sportsman 500,’ 2005 ‘Sportsman 400,’ ‘Sportsman 500,’ ‘Sportsman 600,’ ‘Sportsman 700,’ and 2005 ‘Scrambler 500′ ATVs. The recall was prompted by 26 reports of the ECM overheating.
The original recall was quickly expanded the following month, after Polaris received 26 more reports of the ECM overheating. This time, about 45,000 ATVs were recalled, including the company’s Trail Boss and Magnum 330 models.
Then, this past February, the Polaris recall was expanded to include another 50,000 more vehicles. By this time, Polaris had received 372 additional reports of smoking and/or melted ECMs on the recalled ATVs, and 20 reports of fires, nine of which involved property damage beyond the ATV.
Today’s recall action involves about 700 more Scrambler and Sportsman ATVs. The ATVs were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide from July 2004 through January 2008 for between $3,800 and $7,900. Since February, Polaris has received four more reports of ECMs melting and two reports of smoke or fire contained to the ECM.
According to the CPSC, consumers should disconnect the negative (black) battery cable from the battery when the ATV is not in use. Consumers should contact their local Polaris dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners received direct mail notification of this recall. More information on the Polaris ATV recall is available by calling the company at (888) 704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.polarisindustries.com.
