Gator Utility Vehicles
CPSC Recall #04-511 - November 17, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-511 |
| Recall Date | November 17, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 4,600 |
| Manufacturer | Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | Canada |
Where It Was Sold
| Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide from June 2003 through September 2003 for between $6 |
| 300 and $11 |
| 000. |
Product
Gator Utility Vehicles
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill. is voluntarily recalling 4,600 Gator Utility Vehicles. Improper crimping of the brake cables could lead to reduced braking capacity, and in some cases, to failure of the foot pedal brake.Name of Product: Gator Utility VehiclesUnits: 4,600Manufacturer: Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill.Hazard: Improper crimping of the brake cables could lead to reduced braking capacity, and in some cases, to failure of the foot pedal brake.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: This recall involves Gator Utility Vehicles that are 4- to 6-wheeled vehicles with cargo boxes. The words "John Deere" and "Gator" appear on the side of the cargo box.ModelSerial Number Range4X2 and 4X2 TrailW004X2X095289 through W004X2X0983326X4 and 6X4 TrailW006X4X071973 through W006X4X0729816X4 Diesel and 6X4 Diesel TrailW006X4D035805 through W006X4D036371TurfW00TURF018875 through W00TURF019098E-GatorW0E4X2E011277 through W0E4X2E011345WorksiteW0W6X4D011176 through W0W6X4D011218Sold At: Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide from June 2003 through September 2003 for between $6,300 and $11,000.Manufactured In: CanadaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled vehicles and contact the nearest John Deere dealer to schedule an appointment to have a new brake cable installed free of charge.Consumer Contact: Consumers can also contact Deere & Company at (800) 537-8233 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Consumers can also go to the firm's website at www.deere.com.
Hazard
Improper crimping of the brake cables could lead to reduced braking capacity, and in some cases, to failure of the foot pedal brake.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled vehicles and contact the nearest John Deere dealer to schedule an appointment to have a new brake cable installed free of charge.
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.