1. Yamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair For 450, 660, and 700 Model Rhino Vehicles

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2009
Release # 09-172

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Yamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair For 450, 660, and 700 Model Rhino Vehicles: CPSC advises consumers not to use the off-road vehicles until repaired

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., of Cypress, Calif., is announcing a free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450, 660, and 700 model off-highway recreational vehicles. Yamaha has also agreed to voluntarily suspend sale of these models immediately until repaired. Consumers should immediately stop using these popular recreational vehicles until the repair is installed by a dealer.

CPSC staff 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.

About 120,000 of the 450 and 660 model Rhinos have been distributed nationwide since Fall 2003. Some units have been equipped by Yamaha with half doors and additional passenger handholds, either before or after sale.

Yamaha's repair includes the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling, and continued installation of half doors and additional passenger handholds where these features have not been previously installed to help keep occupants' arms and legs inside the vehicle during a rollover and reduce injuries. Owners of the affected Rhinos should stop using them and call their dealer to schedule an appointment to have repairs made once they are available and to take advantage of a free helmet offer.

Yamaha is also voluntarily implementing the same repair program and suspension of sale for the Rhino 700 model, in order to ensure customer satisfaction. Consumers should stop riding the 700 model until it is repaired. About 25,000 Rhino 700s are part of this repair program.

Once these repairs have been made to their vehicles, Rhino users should always wear their helmet and seatbelt and follow the safety instructions and warnings in the on-product labels, owner's manuals and other safety materials. The Rhino is only recommended for operators 16 and older with a valid driver's license. All passengers must be tall enough to place both feet on the floorboard with their back against the seat back.

For additional information, contact Yamaha at 800-962-7926 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at America's Most Diverse - Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, Home

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recall product, please go to: Yamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair For 450, 660, and 700 Model Rhino Vehicles: CPSC advises consumers not to use the off-road vehicles until repaired

************************************************** ******

Steve

 

Gotta wonder what a "relatively low speed" is. Also, how will removing the rear anti-sway bar help? Is that not supposed to help keep the vehicle more level in a turn?

These vehicles remind me of an older Jeep, they sit high, especially with larger tires, have a short wheelbase and are sensitive to sudden input to the steering wheel.

While it's tragic that folks have been killed, I can't help but think that a little "respect" shown towards the vehicle will help.

This is my opinon only.

 

People get killed on regular atv's all the time. You can't recall and install common sense into any vehicle. If it has a motor, people will find a way to kill them selfs on it.

 

Yep - A guy got nailed for DUI while cruising on his motorized bar stool.

Steve

 

Next will be the Arctic Cat, Polaris, and Kawasaki models. Like was said above, you can't install common sense into any vehicle.

 

I disconnected the rear sway bar on my rhino yesterday, it does ride alot smoother, not sure if it helps it from rolling though.... These things are hard to roll if you have half a brain, there not top heavy. Ive tipped mine over twice only because we ride through some very nasty stuff.