Winch Kits used with All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
CPSC Recall #01-207 — July 23, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-207 |
| Recall Date | July 23, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 50,000 |
| Manufacturer | White-Rodgers |
Where It Was Sold
| ATV dealers and specialty retailers nationwide and mail order catalogs sold these ATV winch kits from November 2000 through May 2001 for about $400. |
Product
Winch Kits used with All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Description
Washington, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Warn Industries Inc., of Oregon, is voluntarily recalling 50,000 winch kits, which attach to All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and are used as a vehicle recovery tool. An electrical component of the winch kit, the solenoid, poses a fire hazard when used in this application, even when the vehicle is parked and the winch is not in use. The solenoid was manufactured by White-Rodgers.Warn Industries has received five reports of ATV fires started from winch kits installed on these vehicles in the U.S., and four reports of ATV fires in Canada. One consumer reportedly suffered smoke inhalation as a result of one of these fires. The fires resulted in loss or damage to the ATVs and, in some cases, adjacent vehicles or surrounding structures.The A2000 winch kit is normally mounted directly to the ATV. To control the winch direction, the A2000 uses a round switch that mounts to the rack or handlebars of the ATV. The winch is gray and has a "Warn" logo on the body of the winch below the model number, "A2000." The A2000 winch kit includes a solenoid, which is used to interrupt the power to the winch. "White-Rodgers" is written on the label of the solenoid. The solenoid is found attached to the power wire between the battery and the switch. The bracket used to attach the affected solenoid has one open slot and one hole.ATV dealers and specialty retailers nationwide and mail order catalogs sold these ATV winch kits from November 2000 through May 2001 for about $400. PART NUMBERS AFFECTED3600136927602786146522465386336097762136351973899760978621373665039295611346225536448601716127562336368146024561463360012Consumers should immediately disconnect the solenoid wires from their ATV and call their local ATV dealer or Warn Industries to receive the free replacement solenoid and installation instructions. Consumers can call Warn Industries at (877) 277-0539 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; e-mail the firm at [email protected]; or visit their web site at www.warn.com.This recall does not include the Warn ATV winch kits with Camdec solenoids, used prior to the White-Rodgers solenoid.
Hazard
An electrical component of the winch kit, the solenoid, poses a fire hazard when used in this application, even when the vehicle is parked and the winch is not in use.
Incidents & Injuries
Warn Industries has received five reports of ATV fires started from winch kits installed on these vehicles in the U.S., and four reports of ATV fires in Canada. One consumer reportedly suffered smoke inhalation as a result of one of these fires. The fires resulted in loss or damage to the ATVs and, in some cases, adjacent vehicles or surrounding structures.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately disconnect the solenoid wires from their ATV and call their local ATV dealer or Warn Industries to receive the free replacement solenoid and installation instructions.
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.