Arctic Cat ATVs

CPSC Recall #02-078 - December 26, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-078
Recall DateDecember 26, 2001
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 15,500

Where It Was Sold

Arctic Cat ATV dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from July 2001 through December 2001 for between $4
200 and $6
400.

Product

Arctic Cat ATVs

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 15,500 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The pressure switch in the braking system leaks fluid. The unexpected loss of fluid can cause the brakes to fail, posing the risk of serious injury or death. Arctic Cat has received four reports of problems with the pressure switches, including one consumer who suffered a dislocated shoulder and another who suffered bumps and bruises. The recalled ATVs come in red and green and have the brand name written on both sides of the ATV. The model names and numbers included in the recall are listed below:   Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission Model: 2002 ATV 500 4x4 (Red) Model No. A2002ATM4AUSR Model: 2002 ATV 375 2x4 (Green) Model No. A2002ATG2BUSG Model: 2002 ATV 300 4x4 (Green) Model No. A2002ATF4AUSG Model: 2002 ATV 375 2x4 (Red) Model No. A2002ATG2BUSR Model: 2002 ATV 300 4x4 (Red) Model No. A2002ATF4AUSR Model: 2002 ATV 375 4x4 (Green) Model No. A2002ATG4BUSG Model: 2002 400 4x4 (Green) Model No. A2002ATI4AUSG Model: 2002 ATV 375 4x4 (Red) Model No. A2002ATG4BUSR Model: 2002 ATV 400 4x4 (Red) Model No. A2002ATI4AUSR Model: 2002 ATV 500 4x4 (Green) Model No. A2002ATM4BUSG Model: 2002 ATV 500 4x4 (Green) Model No. A2002ATM4AUSG Model: 2002 ATV 500 4x4 (Red) Model No. A2002ATM4BUSR   Model: 2002 TBX 500 4x4 (Green) Model No. A2002BXM4BUSG Arctic Cat will help consumers determine if their ATV is part of this recall. Arctic Cat ATV dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from July 2001 through December 2001 for between $4,200 and $6,400. Consumers should stop using these ATVs immediately. Registered owners of the recalled Arctic Cat ATV will be notified by mail, and also will be contacted by their dealer to schedule a free ATV repair. Consumers can contact their local ATV dealer to get more information about the recall. To locate their local dealer, consumers should call Arctic Cat ATV at (800) 279-9419 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or log on to the company's website at www.arctic-cat.com.

Hazard

The pressure switch in the braking system leaks fluid. The unexpected loss of fluid can cause the brakes to fail, posing the risk of serious injury or death.

Incidents & Injuries

Arctic Cat has received four reports of problems with the pressure switches, including one consumer who suffered a dislocated shoulder and another who suffered bumps and bruises.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these ATVs immediately. Registered owners of the recalled Arctic Cat ATV will be notified by mail, and also will be contacted by their dealer to schedule a free ATV repair. Consumers can contact their local ATV dealer to get more information about the recall.

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.