Scrambler, Sport, and Xplorer 400 ATVs

CPSC Recall #00-159 — August 8, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-159
Recall DateAugust 8, 2000
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 13,600

Where It Was Sold

Polaris ATV dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from December 1998 through July 2000 for between $4
800 and $5
900.

Product

Scrambler, Sport, and Xplorer 400 ATVs

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 13,600 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The throttles on these ATVs can stick, preventing the ATV from slowing down when released. This can cause the vehicle to lose control and crash, resulting in severe injury or death.Polaris has received 26 reports of problems with the throttles on these ATVs. There have been 17 reports of crashes resulting in six consumers suffering injuries.The recall includes some model year 1999 Scrambler, Sport, and Xplorer 400 ATVs, and some model year 2000 Scrambler and Xplorer 400 ATVs. "Polaris" and the model name are written on both sides of the ATVs. Polaris dealers will help consumers determine if their ATV is part of this recall.Polaris ATV dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from December 1998 through July 2000 for between $4,800 and $5,900.Consumers should stop using these ATVs immediately. Registered owners of the recalled Polaris ATVs were notified by mail about the recall, and also will be contacted by their dealer to schedule a free ATV repair. Consumers should contact their local ATV dealer to get more information about the recall. To locate their local dealer, consumers should call Polaris at (800) POLARIS between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. ET Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and 12 a.m. ET Saturday and Sunday. Or, go to www.polarisindustries.com/askPolaris/warranty/warrantyRecalls.asp?article=00ATVRECA2692&area= to access the company's website.

Hazard

The throttles on these ATVs can stick, preventing the ATV from slowing down when released. This can cause the vehicle to lose control and crash, resulting in severe injury or death.

Incidents & Injuries

Polaris has received 26 reports of problems with the throttles on these ATVs. There have been 17 reports of crashes resulting in six consumers suffering injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these ATVs immediately. Registered owners of the recalled Polaris ATVs were notified by mail about the recall, and also will be contacted by their dealer to schedule a free ATV repair. Consumers should 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.