2003 Kawasaki "KFX50" All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

CPSC Recall #03-521 — February 7, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-521
Recall DateFebruary 7, 2003
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected732

Where It Was Sold

Kawasaki dealers sold these ATVs nationwide from August 2002 through January 2003 for about $1
799.

Product

2003 Kawasaki "KFX50" All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

Description

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 732 of the 2003 model year All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).The Kawasaki "KFX50" is a small four-wheel ATV designed for use by adult-supervised children 6 years of age or older. They are lime green and have "Kawasaki" written on the front, rear, and both sides. Kawasaki dealers sold these ATVs nationwide from August 2002 through January 2003 for about $1799.

Hazard

There is the potential for failure of a weld securing the tie-rod plate to the steering column. If the weld fails, the plate can become detached from the steering column, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should contact their Kawasaki dealer to schedule an appointment to replace the steering column.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.