Yamaha Rhino off-road vehicles are being recalled for repairs, following reports of dozens of accidents and deaths involving the vehicles. The recall involves all Rhino 450 and 660 models sold since 2003.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 120,000 such vehicles are affected.

According to the CPSC, it  has investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 driver and passenger deaths in these two Rhino models. More than two-thirds of the cases involved rollovers and many involved unbelted occupants. Of the rollover-related deaths and hundreds of reported injuries, some of which were serious, many appear to involve turns at relatively low speeds and on level terrain, the CPSC said. (more…)

A heated windshield washer system that is prone to overheating and catching fire has prompted the recall of nearly one million General Motors cars, trucks and SUVs. According to General Motors, a short circuit in the circuit board that controls the windshield washer system could cause a grounding wire to overheat. That could lead to smoke and the malfunctioning of other electrical components, GM said in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There is a possibility this could lead to a fire.

According to General Motors, there have been at least three fires cause by this defect, but no injuries. (more…)

Kawasaki Motor Corp. and KYMKO USA are the latest companies to recall defective ATVs (all terrain vehicles). Earlier this week, Arctic Cat recalled 6,000 ATVs for a speed control problem. In 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.

KYMKO is recalling 1700 2008 Model Year Mongoose Youth ATVs because the carburetor can cause the throttle to stick open, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the rider. The recalled ATVs were sold by KYMCO dealers nationwide from August 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,700 and $2,100. (more…)

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. (more…)

Another company  is recalling an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) because of a defect that could lead to injuries or deaths. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), this latest recall involves Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs equipped with electric power steering, also known as the Honda FourTrax Foreman 4X4 with electric power steering. The adult-size ATVs are designed for use by riders age 16 and older. The ATVs are available in red, black, olive, white, and camouflage. “Honda” and wing logo are printed on the fuel tank and “TRX500” is printed on the side panel just below the seat. The recalled Honda ATVs were sold at Honda ATV dealers nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008 for between $6,850 and $7,400.

The CPSC says the electric power steering shaft of the recalled ATVs could break unexpectedly, resulting in the rider’s losing steering control. This poses a risk of injury or death to riders. Consumers should stop using these recalled ATVs immediately and contact any Honda ATV dealer to make an appointment for a free repair. Honda has sent direct notices of the ATV recall to registered owners. For additional information, consumers can contact Honda toll-free at (866) 784-1870 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.powersports.honda.com (more…)

Toyota is recalling its 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs after testing revealed the seatbelt systems on the SUVs are defective. The Highlander recall is just the latest quality issue involving Toyota. Toyota, once considered to be among the most reliable car makers in the market, has quickly fallen from grace over the past several years. Last November “Consumer Affairs” said Toyota “is showing cracks in its armor” and will no longer get automatic recommendations from the magazine for new or redesigned vehicles. It also removed several Toyota vehicles from its recommended list because of quality issues.

Defective seatbelts have been a problem for Toyota. Last November, a civil trial opened in California in the case of a man who was killed when the seatbelt of his 2002 Toyota Corolla jammed, leaving him trapped in a burning car. Raminder Singh, a 60-year-old security guard, and his 19-year-old son were driving to a shoe shop when their Toyota Corolla was struck by another vehicle and veered off the road and smashed into a tree. The son was able to free himself from his seatbelt, but the elder Singh’s seatbelt jammed. By the time the son crawled out of the car to seek help, the car’s engine had caught fire, and he could do nothing but watch as his father burned to death inside the wreckage. (more…)

 The Yamaha Rhino ATV, already considered dangerous because of its high number of rollover accidents, is being recalled because of a brake problem. Today’s Yamaha Rhino ATV recall covers 7800 Model Year 2008 Rhino YXR450 and YXR700 Side-by-Side Vehicles sold at Yamaha dealers nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008 for between $8,300 and $12,000. Consumers with a recalled Rhino ATV should stop using them immediately and contact any authorized Yamaha Rhino dealer to schedule a free repair.

 According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the brake caliper on the left front wheel of the recalled Yamaha Rhino ATVs could have been made incorrectly, resulting in brake fluid leaking. This can cause a loss of braking and control of the vehicle, posing a serious safety risk to the driver and passenger. No injuries have been reported in relation to  the defective brake caliper, but this is not the first time the Yamaha Rhino has  raised safety issues. (more…)

More Polaris All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) have been recalled due to a defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) which could fail and overheat, causing a fire hazard.  This latest recall icludes nearly 50,000 more defective Polaris ATVs, and doubles the number of defective Polaris vehicles recalled since 2005, and now includes near 100,000 ATVs. The original Polaris ATV recall included about 61,000 vehicles.

According to the CPSC, since the original Polaris ATV recall announced in June 2005, Polaris has 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. No injuries have been reported. (more…)

Another Ford cruise control switch recall is being issued this week, but this time Ford is recalling cars and trucks where the defective cruise control switch was supposed to have been fixed. According to Ford, a wiring harness used to fix the cruise control switches contains an improperly placed fuse which does not offer sufficient protection if there is an electrical short circuit.

Ford vehicles covered by the new recall include the gasoline-powered 1992 to 2003 Econoline, 1992 to 1998 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, 1993 Bronco, 1995 to 1997 F series pick up, 1993 F series pick up, the 1993 to 1995 Taurus SHO and the 1992 to 1995 Town Car. Ford will be sending letters to customers whose vehicles were repaired with the defective wiring harness. (more…)

Yet another Ford recall was announced last week for more than 1 million trucks, SUVs and vans.  Ford said it issued the recall because of a defect that could cause the engines of these vehicles to unexpectedly stall and lead to a possible crash.  According to Ford, there have been 14 reports of sudden accidents related to this defect.   This is the second massive Ford recall since August, when the company recalled millions of other vehicles because of a faulty cruise control switch.

The Ford recall encompasses 1.2 million trucks, SUVs and vans from the 1997-2003 model years with 7.3 liter diesel engines.   The recall includes Ford E-Series van, Excursion full-size sport utility vehicle, and F-450 Super Duty and F-550 Super Duty trucks.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the camshaft position sensor – an electrical component that helps regulate the fuel going into the engine- located on the engine could function intermittently and lead to an engine stall and potential crash.

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