Polaris Recalls Continue; 9,900 ATVs Pose Fire Risk
With two days left in 2016 Polaris Industries, a publicly traded U.S. manufacturer announced the recall of 9,900 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) over concerns that they can potentially leak fuel and go up in flames. Persistent fire safety concerns have forced Polaris, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to launch at least seven recalls in the past two years, affecting more than a quarter million of their off-road vehicles. Those recalled vehicles reportedly caused around 160 fires and at least one fatality. Polaris, who is also a U.S. defense contractor, sold the latest hazardous ATVs for $7,700 to $11,000 depending on the model. The company, located in Medina, Minnesota, manufactured the ATVs in both Mexico and the United States.
According to CPSC documents the ATVs leak fuel when the air intake duct comes in contact with the fuel rail, which has led to 35 alleged incidents of damage or fire. But at the time of the recall no injuries have been reported. The ATVs were sold exclusively at Polaris dealerships across the country from May 2013 until last month when they were pulled off the line. This recall affects the model years 2014 to 2016 from the Sportsman 570 line of ATVs (Sportsman; Touring 570, Touring 570 SP, X2 570 EPS & 6X6 570 EPS). The model name and number (see list below) is printed on the steering column and the Polaris logo can be found on the front of the vehicle.
Polaris Recalls
Earlier in December 2016 Polaris recalled 23,746 of their Indian Motorcycles, a brand that they purchased in 2011, for the same fuel leak problems and fire hazards. Polaris, who also owns Victory Motorcycles, found a similar “fuel rail failure” in their bikes during a warranty review. Fortunately, no reported injuries have been linked to that recall. But four months earlier, in another Polaris recall of more than 10,000 RZR Turbo ATVs, consumers were not so lucky. In that recall there were 19 reported fires, six injuries (including a “child suffering severe burns”) and 15 acres of destroyed forest in Utah.
In a statement Polaris said that they are investing $120 million to research and remedy the fire related problems moving forward. Until then owners of recalled Polaris Motorcycles and ATVs are being told by authorities to stop using them immediately and contact the company for free repairs. The CPSC said that Polaris will contact “all known purchasers directly,” but if a consumer acquired their vehicle secondhand they must take the initiative and contact the company themselves.
Related: Are There Design Flaws in the Polaris RZR?
To see if your Polaris ATV has been recalled please visit: http://www.polaris.com/en-us/rider-support/off-road-recalls
To see the list of model numbers affected by this recall see: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Polaris-Recalls-Sportsman-570-All-Terrain-Vehicles
To contact Polaris call: (800) 765 2747