Honda Fourtrax ATV Recall Expanded Due To Crash Hazard
Nearly 20,000 additional Honda FourTrax All-Terrain Vehicles are being recalled due to increased reports of suspension arm failures, expanding a prior Honda ATV recall issued in February 2012.
The new Honda FourTrax ATV recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) on December 26, indicating that Honda has received at least 10 reports of incidents where the suspension arms failed.
The CPSC warns that a weld on the front right and left upper suspension arms can fail, potentially causing a crash. At least one rider has suffered a sprained wrist due to the defective FourTrax ATVs.
The original recall only included about 2,900 vehicles recalled in February 2012. At that time the company knew of only four incidents, including the one injury. The new expansion increases the number of recalled ATVs by a factor of more than six.
The recall affects the 2012 Honda FourTrax Ranger ATV TRX420 FA, FE, FM, FPA, FPE, FPM, TE, and TM models. The vehicles have the word Honda and the logo on both sides of the fuel tank, and the word Ranger on the cowl below the handlebars and the left rear fender.
A complete list of model numbers and Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) affected by the recall are listed in the CPSC recall notice. The model number is located on the right front frame down pipe above the driver’s right-hand side front wheel. The VIN is on the top center front of the frame between the gear rack and the middle opening of the front fairing.
The recalled ATVs were sold nationwide from September 2011 through November 2012 for between $5,100 and $7,600 at Honda ATV dealers.
The CPSC recommends consumers stop using the vehicles immediately and contact their Honda ATV dealer to schedule a free repair. Consumers with questions can call American Honda at (866)784-1870 or visit the company’s website at http://powersports.honda.com and click “Product Recall Information.”