Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits
CPSC Recall #07-027 - November 7, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-027 |
| Recall Date | November 7, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 218,000 |
| Manufacturer | Warn Industries Inc., of Clackamas, Ore. (manufacturer of the winch kits) |
| Manufactured In | United States (contactors were manufactured in Japan) |
Where It Was Sold
| ATV dealers |
| ATV accessory retailers |
| mail order catalogs |
| and Web retailers nationwide from May 2001 through September 2005 for $700. |
Product
Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Warn Industries Inc., of Clackamas, Ore. (manufacturer of the winch kits), is voluntarily recalling about 218,000 Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits. A component of the winch kit, the eight-post contactor, can continue to pull current when in the "off" position, which can cause it to overheat and pose a fire hazard.Name of Product: Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch KitsUnits: About 218,000Manufacturer: Warn Industries Inc., of Clackamas, Ore. (manufacturer of the winch kits)Hazard: A component of the winch kit, the eight-post contactor, can continue to pull current when in the "off" position, which can cause it to overheat and pose a fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Warn Industries has received one report of a contactor failure resulting in excessive heat and melting damage to the contactor. No injuries were reported.Description: This recall involves eight-post contactors used on certain 2,500 to 3,500 lb. Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits. The black contactors were sold as a part of winch kits and have a "WARN" logo on the top and bottom of the contactor. Warn part number 62135 is printed on the bottom. Contactors are found on the vehicle attached to the power wires, between the battery and the winch. The contactor has four holes for securing it to the vehicle. A complete listing of winch kit part numbers involved in this recall can be found at www.warn.com.Sold by: ATV dealers, ATV accessory retailers, mail order catalogs, and Web retailers nationwide from May 2001 through September 2005 for $700.Manufactured in: United States (contactors were manufactured in Japan)Remedy: Consumers with winch kits containing these eight-post contactors should immediately disconnect the contactor wires from the battery and contact Warn Industries or their local dealer for a free replacement contactor.Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Warn toll-free at (866) 408-3767 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or e-mail Warn at [email protected] - consumers also can visit the firm's Web site at www.warn.com.
Hazard
A component of the winch kit, the eight-post contactor, can continue to pull current when in the "off" position, which can cause it to overheat and pose a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Warn Industries has received one report of a contactor failure resulting in excessive heat and melting damage to the contactor. No injuries were reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with winch kits containing these eight-post contactors should immediately disconnect the contactor wires from the battery and contact Warn Industries or their local dealer for a free replacement contactor.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
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.