Kawasaki Mule Recall Summary
Kawasaki recently announced two large recalls of their Mule utility vehicles. The recalls of 80,000 and 72,000 vehicles are for separate issues but there is a large overlap among the model years and Mule models affected. The first recall involves excessive wear of the steering shaft that can affect steering control and result in a crash hazard. This recall covers approximately 80,000 vehicles and includes model year 2015 – 2020 MULE PRO-FX, MULE PRO-FXR, MULE PRO-FXT and 2016 – 2020 MULE PRO-DX and MULE PRO-DXT utility vehicles.
The second Kawasaki Mule recall involves two potential fire hazards. Debris on the exhaust manifold can ignite and ice can block the breather hose leading to an oil leak. This recall involves approximately 72,000 vehicles and includes model year 2015 – 2020 MULE PRO-FX, MULE PRO-FXR and MULE PRO-FXT utility vehicles. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled utility vehicles and contact a Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free repair.
Kawasaki Mule Recall Details – Fire Hazard
The following recall information is from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Hazard: The steering shaft can develop excessive wear and affect steering control resulting in a crash hazard, posing a risk of injury or death.
Remedy: Repair
Recall date: March 19, 2020
Units: About 80,000
Consumer Contact: Kawasaki toll-free at 866-802-9381 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.Kawasaki.com and click on “Recalls” for more information.
Description: This recall involves recall involves 2015 through 2020 MULE PRO-FX, MULE PRO-FXR, MULE PRO-FXT and 2016 – 2020 MULE PRO-DX and MULE PRO-DXT utility vehicles. The four wheel, off-highway utility vehicles were sold in black, green, white, red, bronze, silver, camo, and blue. They have side by side seating for three to six people and automotive style controls. MULE PRO is printed on the right and left front fender. The model name is printed on the right and left fender. The vehicles are available as either gas or diesel models. The diesel models have DIESEL printed on the right and left rear of the cargo bed. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the steel frame between the right front lower A-arm mounts. (Specific model name, model code and VIN information for the recall)
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled utility vehicles and contact a Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free repair. Kawasaki is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 453 reports of incidents of steering problems. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Kawasaki dealers nationwide from July 2014 through January 2020 for between $12,000 and $17,000.
Manufacturer(s): Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. U.S.A, of Lincoln, Neb.
Distributor(s): Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Foothill Ranch, Calif.
Manufactured In: United States
Recall number: 20-726
Kawasaki Mule Recall Details – Crash Hazard
Name of product: Kawasaki MULE PRO off-highway utility vehicles
Hazard: Debris can ignite on the vehicle’s exhaust manifold; and frozen water can block the breather hose allowing oil to leak, posing a fire hazard.
Remedy: Repair
Recall date: March 19, 2020
Units: About 72,000
Consumer Contact: Kawasaki toll-free at 866-802-9381 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.Kawasaki.com and click on “Recalls” for more information.
Description:This recall involves model year 2015 through 2020 MULE PRO-FX™, MULE PRO-FXR™ and MULE PRO-FXT™ off-highway utility vehicles. The recalled vehicles were sold in black, blue, bronze, camo, green, red, silver and white. They have four wheels, side-by-side seating for three to six people and automotive style controls. Mule Pro is printed on the right and left front fender. Kawasaki is printed on the cargo box. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the steel frame between the right front lower A-arm mounts. (Specific model name, model code and VIN information for the recall)
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled utility vehicles and contact a Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free repair. Kawasaki is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: Kawasaki has received 165 reports of oil leakage and 84 reports of vehicles catching on fire, resulting in three injuries, including one report of a burn to the user’s foot, one report of a burn to the user’s arm, hand and buttocks and one incident of smoke inhalation. Kawasaki is aware of more than $131,000 in property damage claims, excluding the cost of damage to vehicles.
Sold At: Kawasaki dealers nationwide from July 2014 through December 2019 for between $12,000 and $18,000.
Manufacturer(s): Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. U.S.A., of Lincoln, Neb.
Distributor(s): Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Foothill Ranch, Calif.
Manufactured In: United States
Recall number: 20-727
SVR’s Take
This is a very large recall and is another indication of the recall problem the small, task-oriented vehicle industry has. In our last STOV market study we found that from 2014 to 2017 recalled vehicles in the US and Canada accounted for no less than 24% and up to 47% of utility vehicle market annually. Similar to this recall, many of them involve fire hazards related to debris or some type of leak. SVR maintains an ongoing list of recalls.