More Polaris ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) have been recalled today, following reports that the vehicles are prone to going out-of-control, posing an injury hazard to riders. The latest Polaris ATV recall involves more than 11,000 Outlaw “IRS” ATVs. This is the second Polaris ATV recall issued since mid-February.
According to the CPSC, the latest Polaris recall involves Outlaw “IRS” ATVs, model years 2006 through 2008. The model numbers infected are: 2006 Outlaw 500 “IRSâ€, 2007 Outlaw 500 “IRSâ€, 2007 Outlaw 525 “IRSâ€, and 2008 Outlaw 525 “IRSâ€.  The model name is printed on decals located on either side of the fuel tank. The recalled ATVs were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide from January 2006 through January 2008 for between $6,900 and $7,400.
Polaris said that the recalled Outlaw ATVs have a retention bolt can come loose causing the rear wheels to lock up, which poses a risk of serious injury to the rider. The firm has received 11 reports of loss of control, including one rider who suffered a strained leg muscle. Consumers should stop using the recalled ATVs immediately, and contact any Polaris ATV dealer to schedule a free repair. Polaris has notified registered consumers directly about this recall. Consumers can contact Polaris for further information by calling (888) 704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or by visiting the company’s Web site at www.polarisindustries.com.
This is the second ATV recall issued by Polaris in less than a month. On February 15, Polaris announced a recall of 50,00 ATVs with defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) which could fail and overheat, causing a fire hazard. The February action was an expansion of a previous Polaris recall from 2005. The February announcement brought the total number of Polaris ATVs recalled for defective ECMs to almost 100,000.
According to 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 such popular vehicles as the Polaris ATV and the <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino ATV 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.
Most of the deaths and injuries to children are the result of youngsters riding adult-size ATVs, and consumer groups say the agency needs to do more to keep kids off ATVs that are too big and too powerful for them. Consumer advocates have called on the CPSC to ban the sale of adult-size ATVs for use for children. The agency has declined to do that. There is only a voluntary agreement in place with major ATV distributors in which they require dealers not to sell adult-size ATVs to people who might allow children to ride them. Consumer groups say few dealers abide by the rule.