Yamaha to Recall Rhino ATV After 46 Confirmed Deaths and Hundreds of Injuries
On March 31, 2009 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Yamaha Motor Corporation issued a recall for more than 120,000 of its Yamaha Rhino ATVs model 450 and 660 which have been sold since 2003. The recall is due to an inherent design flaw that makes these vehicles unstable and susceptible to low-speed rollovers. These rollovers have resulted in 46 confirmed deaths and hundreds of injuries including the legs and arms of occupants being crushed by the roll cage as the vehicle crashes to the ground. Many of these injuries occur even if the occupant is wearing a seat belt. These rollovers also occur on level or near-level ground and can occur even if the driver does not turn the vehicle sharply.
Yamaha Rhino 450
(without doors)
Yamaha Rhino 660
(without doors)
Yamaha is offering a free repair of this design defect. Yamaha has also agreed to voluntarily suspend the sale of these models starting immediately until all are repaired. The CPSC warns that consumers should immediately stop using these recreational vehicles until the repair is made by a dealer.
Yamaha is also voluntarily suspending the of sale for the Rhino 700 model and implementing the same repair program. The CPSC also warns that consumers should stop riding the 700 model until it is repaired. About 25,000 Rhino 700s are part of this repair program.
View the recall in its entirety.
Yamaha Rhino 450
(without doors)
Yamaha Rhino 660
(without doors)
Yamaha is offering a free repair of this design defect. Yamaha has also agreed to voluntarily suspend the sale of these models starting immediately until all are repaired. The CPSC warns that consumers should immediately stop using these recreational vehicles until the repair is made by a dealer.
Yamaha is also voluntarily suspending the of sale for the Rhino 700 model and implementing the same repair program. The CPSC also warns that consumers should stop riding the 700 model until it is repaired. About 25,000 Rhino 700s are part of this repair program.
View the recall in its entirety.
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