Category Archives: Safety

Pro Armor Recalls Doors For Polaris RZR 800 and 900

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The Pro Armor door being recalled.

The Pro Armor door being recalled.

A closeup of the door's problematic latch.

A closeup of the door’s problematic latch.

Pro Armor is recalling about 300 doors that were sold as accessories for model year 2010 through 2014 Polaris RZR 800 and RZR 900 models because a problem with the door latch can allow the door to open while the vehicle is moving. The details from the Consumer Safety Products Commission follow.

Recall Details
Units – About 300

Description

This recall involves Pro Armor doors sold as accessories for model year 2010 through 2014 Polaris RZR 800 and RZR 900 models. The doors have a black powder coated finish and have four major components: a large square sheet metal panel, a smaller triangular sheet metal panel, a tubular metal frame and a latch. The panels are interchangeable and come in two styles. One style has cutout vents along the top and the other style has none. The smaller panel has a white Pro Armor logo below the cutouts. The door frame has the logo and “Pro Armor” on the top tube. The latch is silver with a black locking mechanism that attaches to the vehicle frame and a handle that attaches to the door.

Hazard: – The latch pin can disengage from the latch and allow the door to open while the vehicle is moving, posing a risk of ejection of an unrestrained rider and impact or laceration hazards.

Incidents/Injuries – Pro Armor has received 23 reports of the latch pin disengaging. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy – Consumers should immediately stop using vehicles with these doors and contact Pro Armor for a free repair kit.

Sold at – Powersports dealers and online nationwide from June 2014 through October 2014 for about $550 to $600 for the set of doors.

Manufacturer(s) – LSI Products Inc. dba Pro Armor, Riverside, Calif.

Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Comment:  This is a pretty small recall in terms of the number of units. Polaris recently acquired Pro Armor.

CPSC Moves Ahead On Mandatory Side-by-Side Standards

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Picture of roll simulator testing performed on behalf of the CPSC.

Picture of roll simulator testing performed on behalf of the CPSC.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC) has voted to move ahead with mandatory product safety standards for recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), also known as side-by-sides. The UTV industry is vigorously protesting and the industry trade association, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) issued a statement stating…

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is extremely disappointed that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today voted 3 – 2 to begin the process for a rule imposing a mandatory product standard for recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), commonly referred to as side-by-sides.
The proposed rule relies heavily on CPSC assumptions, rather than on scientific conclusions drawn from relevant testing or incident data….The proposed rule, if ultimately approved, would limit the ability of ROV manufacturers to design vehicles to safely provide the level of performance that is expected by OHV enthusiasts.  (Full Statement)

The CPSC’s draft proposed rules includes:

 (1) lateral stability and vehicle handling requirements that specify a minimum level of rollover resistance for ROVs and require that ROVs exhibit sub-limit understeer characteristics; and (2) occupant retention requirements
that would limit the maximum speed of an ROV to no more than 15 miles per hour (mph), unless  the seat belts of the driver and front passengers are fastened; and the rule would require ROVs to  have a passive means, such as a barrier or structure, to limit further the ejection of a belted
occupant in the event of a rollover.

The CPSC makes a distinction between low speed UTVs that have a top speed of 30 mph and higher speed UTVs which the rule is targeting. There will be a 75 day comment period regarding the new rules and the industry is encouraging side-by-side enthusiasts to make their voices heard on this issue. Polaris has created a website where people can contact their Congress member. As of this posting over 12,000 people have used the website to contact over 500 members of Congress.

The industry is arguing that CPSC’s methodology in developing the standards is flawed because it is “…inappropriately apply design- restrictive standards developed for on-highway vehicles, without ensuring that those principles apply in off-highway environments.” In the CPSC’s briefing package they state

ROVs obey the same principles of motion as automobiles because ROVs and automobiles share key characteristics, such as pneumatic tires, a steering wheel, and spring-damper suspension that contribute to the dynamic response of the vehicle.11 Thus, the test procedures to measure the vehicle handling properties of passenger cars and light trucks are also applicable to ROVs.

What is not mentioned as a common key characteristic between the vehicle types is the type of ground upon which they operate and this appears to be a critical distinction. The CPSC reports 335 deaths involving ROVs from 2003 through April 2013 and estimates that ROV accidents cause more than 11,000 medically treated injuries every year. The CPSC calculated the cost of the changes at $61 to $94 per vehicle and the societal benefits at $2,200 per vehicle. While the industry has developed voluntary standards over the last several years, the CPSC does not believe that these are enough. Those in favor of the ruling believe the industry is exaggerating the negative impacts of the standards.

A video on the Polaris website mentioned above makes a few points about why they believe the standards are a bad idea.

  1. Steering changes proposed would make vehicle steering less predictable and responsive.
  2. Proposed stability changes would require manufacturers to lower and widen vehicles, which would reduce ground clearance and prohibit trail access, or require stiffer tires which would result in less traction on hills, longer stopping distance and more spin-outs in corners. In addition the standards would eliminate factory installed cabs and doors. (This is not explained but I assume it has to do with the vehicle’s center of gravity)
  3. The seat belt interlock could lead to unintended high-speed vehicle decelerations, rely on sensors that could be unreliable in harsher off-road environments and would eliminate under seat storage.
  4. The passive restraints would make vehicle entry and exit more difficult.

Learn more:  Farmfutures.com

Comments:  If what the industry says is true then these standards could be in direct conflict with some of the recent trends in the market, namely increased ground clearance and narrower vehicles to access ATV trails. In addition, marketing content for some vehicles has been touting improved designs for better vehicle entry and exit. I would like to hear from some engineers or those similarly informed on the applicability of the testing standards and how big an impact the standards would have on vehicle design.

Honda Recalling 2014 Pioneer 700 UTVs

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All the two and four passenger versions (shown here) of the Honda 2014 Pioneer 700 are being recalled.

All the two and four passenger versions (shown here) of the Honda 2014 Pioneer 700 are being recalled.

Honda announced a recall of all models of the 2014 Honda Pioneer 700 utility vehicle because of an issue with debris and vegetation accumulation on the middle skid plate. The buildup can come in contact with the exhaust system resulting in smoke or fire. There have been 10 reports of incidents involving fires but no injuries have been reported. The recall involves both two and four passenger versions sold from August 2013 through September 2014. The following vehicle models and serial numbers are affected by the recall:

Model Number           Serial Number Range (All begin with 1HF)         Number of Seats
SXS 700M2 2AC        VE0225E4000006 to VE022XE4006304             2
SXS 700M2 4AC        VE0284E4000003 to VE0284E4001202             2
SXS 700M4 AC          VE0204E4000013 to VE020XE4006849             4
SXS 700M4 3AC        VE0268E4000004 to VE0269E4001503             4

Owners should immediately stop using the recalled vehicle and take it to an authorized Honda dealer to have the original middle skid plate removed and an updated middle skid plate installed free of charge.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Comment:  This is a large recall, about four to five times the number of utility vehicles that we typically see recalled. This is also a blow to Honda in their efforts to become more competitive in the UTV market. The Pioneer models, both the 700 and the 500 which were not recalled, were their latest entry into the market. The introduction of the Pioneer UTVs represented a renewed commitment and dedication of resources by Honda towards the side-by-side market.

Arctic Cat Recalls 5,600 Wildcat Trail and Wildcat Trail XT Side by Side

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The Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail XT in Mat Black being recalled.

The Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail XT in Mat Black being recalled.

WildcatTrail_Lime_2014 LARGE

The Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail in Lime Green being recalled.

Last week Arctic Cat announced the recall of approximately 5,600 Wildcat Trail and Wildcat Trail XT side by sides because of a potential fire hazard related to leakage from oil cooler lines.  Arctic Cat has received 60 reports of oil leaking and one report of fire but no injuries have been reported.

The recall involves all 2014 Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail and Wildcat Trail XT side-by-side utility vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) 000001 through 316232. The VIN is located on the frame tube near the driver’s side front wheel. These units were sold in red, green, lime green, team arctic green and mat black. The words “Arctic Cat” and “Wildcat Trail” appear on the sides of these vehicles and on the hood.

Consumers should stop using the recalled side-by-sides and contact an Arctic Cat dealer to schedule a free repair. The vehicles were sold nationwide from December 2013 through July 2014 for about $11,400 to $12,400. Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Comment:  This UTV recall is a little larger than the usual UTV recalls we see which often involve up to 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles. The Wildcat Trail UTVs are more narrow than typical UTVs to access trails that in the past were only accessible by ATVs. Earlier this year Arctic Cat recalled some Prowler 500 HDX vehicles but had not recalled any UTVs for several years before then.

 

NHTSA Final Rule For Rear Visibility Technology Impacts LSVs

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Garia LSV In NYC

In the future LSVs such as this one from Garia will need to have rear visibility technology.

In March, 2014 NHTSA finalized a rule requiring  rear visibility technology in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. The final rule

“…requires all vehicles under 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, manufactured on or after May 1, 2018, to come equipped with rear visibility technology that expands the field of view to enable the driver of a motor vehicle to detect areas behind the vehicle to reduce death and injury resulting from backover incidents. The field of view must include a 10-foot by 20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle. The system must also meet other requirements including image size, linger time, response time, durability, and deactivation.”

The rule would also apply to LSVs. According to NHTSA, on average, there are 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries per year caused by backover crashes with more than half of those involving children under 5 or adults over 70.

Learn more:  NHTSA.gov

Comment:  While rear view technology is becoming more common in full-size vehicles, it will be more expensive to put into LSVs relative to their overall price. On the other hand, certain market segments such as the college/university market, which already purchase LSVs in part for their safety features, may be willing to pay for this additional feature. Consumers purchasing LSVs for personal transportation may not be as willing.

You could argue that many LSV models offer much more visibility than trucks or buses and full-size cars. Here are some come comments from NHTSA regarding this issue.

Like all other vehicle types covered under today’s final rule, LSVs are required to provide the driver with a rearview image meeting the requirements specified in the regulatory text at the end of this document regardless of whether the vehicle has any significant blind zone. However, like other manufacturers, low-speed vehicle manufacturers can petition NHTSA for an exemption or for rulemaking.

 

NHTSA did receive some comments regarding the difference in blind spots between LSVs and other vehicles. This is the agency’s response.

…the latest agency research indicate that low-speed vehicle blind zones vary greatly within this vehicle class. Some also contain significant blind zones similar to other passenger cars and light trucks. However, some others may have very small blind zones.  As low-speed vehicles may have a GVWR of up to 3,000 lbs., these vehicles are also fully capable of causing injury and death to vulnerable pedestrians. As backover crashes do not typically occur at speeds above 25 mph (the top speed of low-speed vehicles), we believe it is appropriate to include low-speed vehicles in today’s final rule. Further, the agency requested comment on low-speed vehicles in the NPRM and sought information as to whether the agency could reasonably conclude that low-speed vehicles present no unreasonable risk of backover crashes, but nocommenter provided any substantive information on this point. Therefore, the agency cannot reasonably exclude, as a category, low-speed vehicles from the requirements of today’s rule because the available information

The agency estimates the cost per vehicle of such a system will be $132 to $142. However, this includes some assumptions of manufacturing efficiencies and volumes which are more likely to accrue to high volume full-size vehicle manufacturers than lower volume LSV manufacturers. For LSV manufacturers the best approach to this issue may be to petition the agency for specific models or hope that they may share some in some of the cost reductions the rest of the market creates or that future technology becomes less expensive.

Another market response may be for consumers to switch to golf cars or utility vehicles. From SVR’s scanning of road use regulations, more municipalities are allowing golf cars and UTVs varying access to public roads, not just LSVs. This regulation will only add to the cost differential that consumers consider between LSVs and these other vehicles, especially new or used golf cars and lower priced UTVs.

E-Z-GO Recalls Golf, Shuttle and Off-road Utility Vehicles

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One of the Bad Boy Buggie models being recalled.

One of the Bad Boy Buggie models being recalled.

E-Z-GO TXT_2plus2_LARGE

One of the E-Z-GO TXT models being recalled.

 

The Cushman Shuttle that is part of the recall by E-Z-GO.

The Cushman Shuttle that is part of the recall by E-Z-GO.

E-Z-GO is recalling approximately 30,000 golf, shuttle and off-road utility vehicles because a steering wheel nut may not have been tightened sufficiently, reducing the driver’s steering control. This can result in a crash. There has only been one reported incident related to the issue and it was a minor injury.

The recall includes E-Z-GO, Cushman and Bad Boy Buggies branded vehicles. Recalled E-Z-GO and Cushman vehicles have serial numbers from 2823208 to 2850425 and from 3000001 to 3003187. Bad Boy Buggies vehicles have serial numbers from 8005089 to 8006013. The recall includes the following models:

  • E-Z-GO TXT Fleet golf cars
  • E-Z-GO Freedom TXT, Shuttle 2+2 TXT and Valor personal golf cars all with one bench seat and one rear-facing seat
  • E-Z-GO Express with two bench seats and one rear-facing seat,
  • E-Z-GO Terrain with a cargo bed
  • Cushman Shuttle vehicles
  • Bad Boy Buggies HD, LD, LTO, and LT Safari utility vehicles

The vehicles were sold between August 2012 through February 2013. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vehicles and contact E-Z-GO or an authorized dealer for a free repair. E-Z-GO and E-Z-GO dealers are already contacting known owners. Consumers can contact E-Z-GO toll-free at (855) 738-3711 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; or online at www.ezgo.com and click on Product Recall Information or at www.badboybuggies.com and click on Recall Information at the bottom of the page for more information. Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Comment:  The number of vehicles being recalled is quite large compared to the typical recall in the STOV market, which usually numbers a few hundred to a few thousand vehicles. On the other hand this seems to be only a minor issue and for the company a simple and relatively inexpensive fix. In general, dealers I’ve spoken to believe the quality of the Bad Boy Buggies vehicles has increased significantly since E-Z-GO acquired the company in late 2010. At the time, a large and more serious recall from both a safety and financial standpoint was a major reason the company needed to be sold.

Arctic Cat Recalls Prowler 500 HDX UTVs

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The 2014 Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX is being recalled due to a fuel leak issue.

The 2014 Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX is being recalled due to a fuel leak issue.

Arctic Cat has recalled approximately 2,300 model year 2014 Prowler 500 HDX utility vehicles because of a potential fuel leak issue and related fire hazard. No injuries have been reported related to this recall. The vehicles were sold from August 2013 to January 2014. The following information is from the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice.

Recall Details

Product:  Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX

Hazard:  Fuel can leak from the fuel fitting at the throttle body of the vehicle, posing a fire hazard.

Units:  About 2,300

Description:  This recall includes Model Year 2014 Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV). The two-seat vehicles come in four colors: green, red, vibrant red metallic or emerald green metallic. The vehicles have “Arctic Cat” printed on each side of the hood and on the cargo box tail gate, “500” printed on each side of the front fenders and “HDX” printed on each side of the rear cargo box.

Sold at:  Arctic Cat dealers nationwide from August 2013 to January 2014 for between about $11,000 and $12,400.

Incidents/Injuries:  None reported.

Remedy:  Consumers should stop using the recalled Prowlers immediately and contact an Arctic Cat dealer to schedule a free repair. Arctic Cat is contacting all known owners of the Prowlers directly.

Consumer Contact:  Arctic Cat at (800) 279-6851 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at www.arcticcat.com and click on Customer Care, then Product Recall and then List of Safety Bulletins for more information.

Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Comment:  This is not a particularly large recall as many UTV recalls typically involve two to three thousand vehicles or less. A search of the CPSC database shows that Arctic Cat hasn’t recalled any other UTVs in at least the last five years.

John Deere Updates 2014 Gator Utility Vehicles

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The 2014 John Deere Gator XUV Line-Up

The 2014 John Deere Gator XUV Line-Up

John Deere has announced updates to their 2014 Gator Utility vehicles which include safety as well as work performance improvements to their XUV line. These updates include:

  • Operator Side Retention (OSR) is now standard on all Operator Protective Structure (OPS) equipped Gator utility vehicles. A net OSR is part of the base configuration for the HPX, XUV heavy-duty (625i, 825i, 855D), and mid-duty (550, 550 S4) models. Stylized poly doors can be ordered in lieu of nets for certain models. The nets allow for easy one-handed operation, provide great visibility and allow for accessible ingress and egress from the utility vehicle. The stylized poly doors feature automotive style handles, color-matched panels, and a 90 degree opening for easy entry and exit.
  • Warn® ProVantage 3,500 or 4,500 lb. winch
  • The heavy-duty line of XUVs features a new digital display with a glow plug indicator light (diesel), a flashing water temperature icon, and a power steering indicator (if equipped). New illuminated dash switches provide better nighttime visibility.
  • An ag management solutions system (AMS) integration kit is available for the heavy-duty models. This kit allows a customer to mount a StarFire receiver and GS display (both sold separately) to the Gator to assist with boundary mapping, flagging field obstacles, and soil sampling.
  • The mid-duty line of XUVs is an improved braking system that delivers 26 percent reduction in brake pedal effort and improved operator feedback.

Learn More:  JohnDeere.com

Comment:  While the high-end recreational vehicle segment gets a lot of attention with a seemingly continuous stream of vehicles with more horsepower and off-road capabilities, manufacturers such as John Deere, Kubota, Club Car, Toro and others are making the work vehicle segment highly competitive as well. A number of new vehicle introductions as well as product line updates have hit the market in the last year, improving vehicle performance and adding capabilities.

Polaris Recalls Approximately 16,000 2013 Ranger 500 UTVs

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2013 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI

The 2013 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI being recalled.

The 2013 Polaris Ranger Crew 500 EFI being recalled.

The 2013 Polaris Ranger Crew 500 EFI being recalled.

Polaris Industries has issued a recall for their 2013 Ranger® 500 EFI and Ranger Crew® 500 EFI. The vehicles’ throttle cable can melt on the exhaust pipe and fail to operate properly. This can cause the rider to lose control, posing a crash hazard. There has been one reported incident leading to a minor injury. Owners should not use the vehicle and contact a Polaris dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair. The recall involves approximately 16,550 vehicles sold betweenJune 2012 through February 2014.

The following information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice can be used to identify if your vehicle is being recalled.

This recall involves 2013 Polaris Ranger® 500 EFI and Ranger Crew® 500 EFI recreational off-highway vehicles. Model names are on the right and left side of the hood. “Polaris” is stamped on the front of the vehicles above the front grill and “Polaris Ranger 4×4” is printed on the side of the rear bed box.

The Ranger has a bench seat and a rear cargo box. Ranger model colors are black, camouflage, green, and red. Model numbers for the Ranger are R13RH50AG, R13RH50AH, R13RH50AM and R13RH50AR.

The Ranger Crew has a front and a rear bench seat and a rear cargo box. Model numbers for the Ranger Crew are R13WH50AG, R13WH50AH, R13WH50AR and R13WH50AX. Ranger Crew model colors are camouflage, green, red and tan.

Recalled vehicles have a VIN between 4XA******DE210149 and 4XA******DE791730 stamped on the front lower frame rail of the vehicle on the driver’s side. Not all VINs in the range are included in this recall.

Alternatively you can contact Polaris directly toll-free at (888) 704-5290 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online to check your vehicle’s VIN. To check your VIN go to www.polarisindustries.com and select the Services and Support tab, then click on Help Center, then Common Rider Questions, then Service bulletins/recalls to check your vehicle identification number (VIN). Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Comment:  As UTV recalls go this is a fairly large recall. Using a rough estimate, based on the 21 month time-frame for the sales of the vehicles involved, the recall represents about 3% of the total UTV market for 2013. It could be more or less depending on how sales were distributed across the time period. Many recent UTV recalls have involved fewer than 5,000 vehicles.

Sportsman ACE From Polaris May Open New Off-Road Vehicle Category

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Beauty shot of the new Sportsman ACE from Polaris.

Beauty shot of the new Sportsman ACE from Polaris.

The overhead view shows the rider cockpit and overall narrowness of the vehicle.

The overhead view shows the rider cockpit and overall narrowness of the vehicle.

Polaris recently introduced the Sportsman ACE, an ATV/UTV hybrid vehicle that, if successful, could launch a whole new category of off-road vehicles. The Sportsman ACE is a single-passenger vehicle with a sit-in chassis. The design combines the small size, responsiveness and maneuverability of an ATV with the more comfortable rider position and safety features of a UTV. According to David Longren, vice president of Polaris’ Off-Road Division. “In creating the Sportsman ACE, we wanted to not only appeal to current off-road enthusiasts, but develop a vehicle that brings new customers to off-road recreation. We accomplished this by coupling an easy-to-use, nimble platform with a confident and secure ride that, together, provides drivers of all experience levels a new way to experience the outdoors.” Some of the key features of the vehicle include:

  • Trail-capable and easily-transportable 48 in. width
  • 10.25 in/26.04 cm of ground clearance and 9.5 in/24.1 cm of rear travel
  • Fully independent rear suspension (IRS) outfitted with performance, twin tube shocks featuring adjustable preload
  • 32 horsepower ProStar™ Electronic Fuel Injected Engine
  • ROPS cab frame
  • Bucket seat with three-point seatbelt
  • Integrated 2.8 gal/10.6 liter semi-dry, front storage compartment, and a high-capacity Lock & Ride® cargo box with rack extenders and rear tie down rails combine for 575 lbs of cargo capacity
  • 1,500 lb towing capacity
  • Polaris On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system
  • Optional roof, door, windshield, tires and other accessories
  • Winch ready

The MSRP for the base vehicle is $7,499 and it will be available in White Lightning at dealerships in February.

Learn more:  Polaris.com

Comment:  This is another example of why Polaris is the leader in this market. They continue to keep churning out new vehicles, whether slight variations of existing models to target sub-segments or improve performance in existing segments, or, as in the case Sportsman ACE, to break entirely new ground. From a marketing standpoint this vehicle could be very versatile in attracting a range of buyers. At such a low price point compared to UTVs it can definitely attract the buyer with less money to spend or someone who wants to try out trail-riding but is maybe reluctant to spend the money on a more expensive UTV. Thus the Sportsman ACE provides an entry point to new customers who can move into UTVs later.

It also offers riders who want access to narrow trails a more affordable alternative to some of the newer, narrower and pricey high-performance UTVs. While some areas of the country have wide-open trails, in many areas only vehicles the size of an ATV can access trails. Potentially existing UTV owners could also purchase a Sportsman ACE as a second vehicle for riding narrower trails or for solo riding. Another potential market could be farmers and other commercial users of ATVs looking for more comfort, safety and payload in a similarly priced vehicle. In the long term, this vehicle could become a replacement for the ATV category, offering a more comfortable and safer alternative to existing ATVs designs.