The 2018 Yamaha Drive2 is one of the models being recalled over a brake cable issue.
Yamaha Golf Car has issued a recall for over 160,000 golf cars, personal transportation vehicles (PTVs) and utility vehicles due to potential failure of the brake cables and subsequent crash hazard. The recall involves model year 2015 through 2018 gas and electric powered golf cars, PTVs and utility vehicles. Note that the utility vehicles from Yamaha Golf Car are different than those from the power sports manufacturer Yamaha Motors which makes the YXZ, Wolverine and Viking utility vehicles. This recall involves Yamaha Drive and Drive2 branded vehicles made by Yamaha Golf Car. For a detailed list of the model numbers and serial number ranges included check the CPSC.gov website. Owners can also contact Yamaha at 800-962-7926 or at www.yamahagolfcar.com. Owners should immediately stop using these recalled Golf Cars and PTVs and contact a local Yamaha Golf Car dealer to schedule a free repair. Yamaha is contacting all registered owners directly.
The following recall details are from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Name of product: Yamaha Golf Cars and Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs) Hazard: The brake cables on the golf cars and PTVs can fail, posing a crash hazard.
Recall date: February 22, 2018
Units: About 161,000
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled Golf Cars and PTVs and contact a local Yamaha Golf Car dealer to schedule a free repair. Yamaha is contacting all registered owners directly.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 285 reports of brake cables failing. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Yamaha Golf Car dealers nationwide from November 2014 through December 2017 for between $5,900 and $7,700.
Manufacturer(s): Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America, of Newnan, Ga.
Distributor(s): Yamaha Golf-Car Company, of Kennesaw, Ga.
Manufactured In: Assembled in United States
Recall number: 18-725
SVR’s Take: This is a very large recall and on par with the relatively recent large recalls from Polaris. This will likely cost Yamaha millions of dollars to remedy. More importantly, this might put a dent in Yamaha’s progress in gaining market share against Club Car and E-Z-GO. In the last few years, Yamaha has been touting how many thousands of golf courses have switched to their golf cars. The golf car market has always been highly competitive, and even more so in the last several years as golf course growth has declined or remained stagnant.
Marc Cesare, SmallVehicleResource.com