One of the Kawasaki Mule models being recalled.
One of the Kawasaki Mule models being recalled.
Kawasaki announced the recall of approximately 28,000 of their Mule UTVs because the front floor cover can be punctured by a foreign object, posing an injury hazard to riders. There has been one report of debris striking an operator’s leg. The recall covers a wide range of Mule models for model year 2015, 2016 and 2017 including the PRO-FX, PRO-FXT, PRO-DX and PRO-DXT models and related configurations. specific models affected are described below. Towards the end of last year Kawasaki recalled a large number of their Teryx recreational UTVs for a similar floor issue.
The following information is from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Recall Details
Units: About 28,000
Description: The recall involves 2015, 2016 and 2017 model year side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles. The recalled models are 4-wheel side-by-side seating for three to six people and automotive style controls. The vehicles come in various colors. The model name is printed on the right and left front fender. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is located on the steel frame between the right front lower A-arm mounts.
Incidents/Injuries: Kawasaki has received two reports of debris coming up from the floor cover, including one report of debris striking an operator’s leg.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vehicles and contact their local authorized Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free repair.
Sold at: Kawasaki dealers nationwide from July 2014 through June 2016 for between $12,000 and $16,900.
Manufacturer(s): Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. of Foothill Ranch, CA.
U.S.
Comment: This is a large recall and combined with the previous Teryx recall for the same reason brings the total number of vehicles involved to 47,500. What is disconcerting is that it seems to be a basic design flaw in that the company did not engineer the front floor boards to be strong enough to withstand normal use. On the heels of major recalls from Polaris, there are now almost a quarter million UTVs being recalled from two of the most prominent brands in the market, most from the last several model years.