Yamaha Bruin 250, Bruin 350 4WD and 2WD, Big Bear 400, Kodiak 400, Kodiak 450, and Wolverine 450 ...
CPSC Recall #06-506 - November 1, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-506 |
| Recall Date | November 1, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | - |
| Units Affected | About 70,000 |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A., of Cypress, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Yamaha dealers sold these ATVs nationwide from 2004 to October 2005. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the affected ATVs ranged from about $3 |
| 500 to $7 |
| 000. |
Product
Yamaha Bruin 250, Bruin 350 4WD and 2WD, Big Bear 400, Kodiak 400, Kodiak 450, and Wolverine 450 ATVs
Description
Yamaha has announced a voluntary recall of certain 2005 and 2006 Yamaha Bruin 250, Bruin 350 4WD and 2WD, Big Bear 400, Kodiak 400, and Kodiak 450 ATVs, and certain 2006 Wolverine 450 ATVs. Below is a list of make, model and vehicle identification numbers (VIN) involved in the recall.Make/ModelVehicle Identification Number ("VIN")2005 Bruin 250 2WD2006 Bruin 250 2WD2005 Bruin 350 Auto 2WD2006 Bruin 350 Auto 2WD2005 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD2006 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD2005 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD Hunter2006 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD Hunter2005 Big Bear 400 4WD2006 Big Bear 400 4WD2005 Kodiak 400 4WD2006 Kodiak 400 4WD2005 Kodiak 400 4WD/Hunter2006 Kodiak 400 4WD/Hunter2005 Kodiak 450 4WD2005 Kodiak 450 4WD2005 Kodiak 450 4WD/Hunter2005 Kodiak 450 4WD/Hunter2005 Kodiak 450 4WD SE2006 Wolverine 450 4WD YFM250BTYFM250BVYFM350BATYFM350BAVYFM350FATYFM350FAVYFM350FAHTYFM350FAHVYFM400FTYFM400FVYFM400FATYFM400FAVYFM400FAHTYFM400FAHVYFM450FATYFM450FAVYFM450FAHTYFM450FAHVYFM450FASETYFM450FXV AG01Y-0116001 ~ 0120900AG01Y-0120901 ~ 0123400AH10Y-0012901 ~ 0016600AH10Y-0016601 ~ 0020100AH09Y-0019301 ~ 0023500AH09Y-0023501 ~ 0029400AH13Y-0002601 ~ 0003600AH13Y-0003601 ~ 0006100AH06Y-0055101 ~ 0057600AH06Y-0057601 ~ 0059281AJ15Y-0000101 ~ 0009600AJ15Y-0009601 ~ 0011700AJ17Y-0000101 ~ 0002100AJ17Y-0002101 ~ 0003200AJ14Y-0000101 ~ 0014900AJ14Y-0014901 ~ 0018800AJ16Y-0000101 ~ 0005300AJ16Y-0005301 ~ 0008300AJ18Y-0000101 ~ 0002700AJ21Y-0000101 ~ 0001400
Hazard
The protective boots covering the steering system's tie-rod ends (universal joints) on the recalled ATVs could be pinched during installation or adjustment, cutting a hole in the rubber. If this occurs, grease could escape, and contaminants such as sand or mud could get into the assembly through the hole, causing accelerated wear. This could result in abnormal steering free play. If the ATV continues to be operated without repair, the ball and socket portion of the tie-rod end could wear to the point that they separate, resulting in loss of steering control, which could cause a vehicle crash with injury or death.
Incidents & Injuries
Yamaha has received no reports of incidents or injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Free repair. Registered owners of the affected units were notified directly by mail sent on October 14, 2005. Consumers should stop using their ATV immediately and contact an authorized Yamaha dealer to schedule an appointment for repair.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy 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 (refund, replacement, or 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.