Kawasaki MULE utility vehicles

CPSC Recall #06-582 — September 26, 2006

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-582
Recall DateSeptember 26, 2006
Remedy TypeInspect, Replace
Units AffectedAbout 400 units
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Kawasaki dealers sold these MULE utility vehicles from August 2006 through September 2006 for between $8
800 and $10
800.

Product

Kawasaki MULE utility vehicles

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 400 Kawasaki MULE utility vehicles. These vehicles could have been assembled with improperly manufactured steering knuckles that could break while the vehicle is in operation. This can cause a loss of steering control and cause a crash resulting in injury or death.Name of Product: Kawasaki MULE utility vehiclesUnits: About 400 unitsDistributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif.Hazard: These vehicles could have been assembled with improperly manufactured steering knuckles that could break while the vehicle is in operation. This can cause a loss of steering control and cause a crash resulting in injury or death.Incidents/Injuries: Kawasaki has received no reports of incidents or injuries.Description: The recall involves Kawasaki MULE 3000 (KAF620-G), MULE 3010 4x4 (KAF620-E/H), MULE 3010 Trans4x4 (KAF620-J/K) and MULE 3010 Diesel Trans4x4 (KAF950-C) models. These are 4-wheel off-highway vehicles featuring side-by-side seating for two or four people, and automotive-style controls.Sold by: Kawasaki dealers sold these MULE utility vehicles from August 2006 through September 2006 for between $8,800 and $10,800.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should stop using the MULE utility vehicle immediately and contact their local Kawasaki dealer to schedule an appointment for an inspection of the steering knuckles and a free replacement, if necessary.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact your local Kawasaki dealer or call Kawasaki toll-free at (866) 802-9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday thru Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.kawasaki.com.

Hazard

These vehicles could have been assembled with improperly manufactured steering knuckles that could break while the vehicle is in operation. This can cause a loss of steering control and cause a crash resulting in injury or death.

Incidents & Injuries

Kawasaki has received no reports of incidents or injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the MULE utility vehicle immediately and contact their local Kawasaki dealer to schedule an appointment for an inspection of the steering knuckles and a free replacement, if necessary.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, 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 (Inspect, Replace) 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.