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Defectiv Arctic Cat ATVs Recalled

Jun 25, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

Arctic Cat has recalled Youth Model ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) because of a defective speed controller.  The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) says consumers should stop using the defective ATVs immediately until they have been repaired.

ATVs can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child. In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving these vehicles sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life. In its annual report released in February, the CPSC said Pennsylvania has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs.

This ATV recall involves about 6,000 Model Year 2008 Arctic Cat 50cc and 90cc ATVs manufactured by Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn.  According to the CPSC, the speed controller on the recalled ATVs could fail to return to the idle position when the throttle lever is released, or the speed controller could fail to be at idle on start up. This could result in loss of vehicle control, which could result in serious injury or death to the rider.  The defective ATVs were sold at Arctic Cat dealerships nationwide from July 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,800 and $2,400

The ATVs involved in the recall include:

• 2008 DVX 50 Black/Red, Model #A2008KSA2BUSD
• 2008 DVX 50 Black/Lime, Model #A2008KSA2BUSE
• 2008 DVX 50 Pink, Model #A2008KSA2BUST
• 2008 DVX 90-California-Black/Red, Model #A2008KSB2BCAD
• 2008 DVX 90-California-Black/Lime, Model #A2008KSB2BCAE
• 2008 DVX 90-California-Pink, Model #A2008KSB2BCAT
• 2008 DVX 90 Black/Red, Model #A2008KSB2BUSD
• 2008 DVX 90 Black/Lime, Model #A2008KSB2BUSE
• 2008 DVX 90 Pink, Model #A2008KSB2BUST
• 2008 50 2X4 Auto Green, Model #A2008KUA2BUSG
• 2008 50 2X4 Auto Red, Model #A2008KUA2BUSR
• 2008 50 2X4 Auto Pink, Model #A2008KUA2BUST
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Green, Model #A2008KUB2BCAG
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Red, Model #A2008KUB2BCAR
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Pink, Model #A2008KUB2BCAT
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto Green, Model #A2008KUB2BUSG
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto Red, Model #A2008KUB2BUSR
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto Pink,  Model #A2008KUB2BUST

Owners of the affected Arctic Cat ATVs should contact their local dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail.  More information on the Arctic Cat ATV recall may be obtained by calling the manufacturer at  (800) 279-6851 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday or by visiting the firm's Web site at www.arctic-cat.com