John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

About 4,700 John Deere utility vehicles have been recalled due to faulty oil filters, which may pose a fire and burn hazard for riders. 

A John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on February 14, after at least four reports were received of fires starting from a leaking oil filter. However, no injuries have been reported to date in connection with the problems.

The CPSC indicates that the recalled John Deere utility vehicles were not manufactured to specification, resulting in pinholes in the oil filters and cracks allowing the oil to leak.

The recall includes the following models and serial numbers, which can be located above the receiver hitch; John Deere Gator RSX5oi Base model with serial range from 1M0850TB++M010009 through 1M0850TB++M010778, John Deere Gator RSX850i Sport model with serial range from 1M0850TS++M010001 through 1M0850TS++M012077, and John Deere Gator RSX850i Trail model with serial range from 1M0850TT++M010001 through 1M0850TT++M012867.

The recalled models have side-by-side seating for two people and were sold in Realtree Hardwoods HD Camo, olive and black, or traditional green and yellow with RSX850i printed on the hood.

The John Deere Gators were manufactured between May 2012 and October 2012 in the United States and sold exclusively at John Deere dealers nationwide from August 2012 through January 2013 for between $12,900 and $15,500.

Last month, John Deere recalled 4,650 Base, Trail and Sport model utility vehicles after receiving at least three reports that the fuel lines separated, posing a fire hazard and burn hazard to riders.

The CPSC recommends that consumers stop using the utility vehicles immediately and contact John Deere at (800) 537-8233 or visit the company’s website at www.johndeere.com and navigate to Services & Support, to schedule a free inspection and free repair. John Deere has begun contacting known registered consumers to warn and schedule inspections.