Snowmobile Recall Issued by Arctic Cat Due to Suspension Arms Cracking
Arctic Cat, Inc. has issued a recall for about 16,500 snowmobiles after reports that the front lower suspension arm may crack during use, potentially leading to loss of control and a risk of severe injury or death for riders or bystanders.
The Arctic Cat snowmobile recall was announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after the manufacturer received at least 13 reports of suspension arms cracking. However, no injuries or snowmobile accidents have been reported in connection to the problem.
Snowmobiles affected by the recall include all 2010 Arctic Cat Z1, TZ1, F, Bearcat, M and CF models. The model name is indicated on the side of the snowmobile, as well as in the registration materials and owner’s manual.
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Learn MoreAll variations of colors and model features for the listed Artic Cat snowmobile models are affected by the recall. The snowmobiles were sold for between $6,800 and $15,000 at Arctic Cat dealerships throughout the United States between June 2009 and January 2011.
Owners of the snowmobiles have been advised to immediately stop using them and to contact their dealer to schedule a free repair. Additional information is also available by calling Arctic Cat at (800) 279-6851 or visiting the manufacturer’s website at www.arctic-cat.com.
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3 Comments
RandyJanuary 31, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Update on my 2010 F5 A-Arm Failure: I am pleased to report that my Cat Dealer Contacted me on Friday 01/28 and informed me that my new A-Arm and Recall Kits were in. I picked up my sled Saturday morning and put about 35 miles on it. Everything seems to be great. I am very pleased with Arctic Cats' timely response regarding this matter. Hats off to my Arctic Cat Dealer who went out of his way to se[Show More]Update on my 2010 F5 A-Arm Failure: I am pleased to report that my Cat Dealer Contacted me on Friday 01/28 and informed me that my new A-Arm and Recall Kits were in. I picked up my sled Saturday morning and put about 35 miles on it. Everything seems to be great. I am very pleased with Arctic Cats' timely response regarding this matter. Hats off to my Arctic Cat Dealer who went out of his way to see that my sled got fixed as soon as possible so I could get out and ride. My dealer is sending off the failed A-Arm with the accompanying piece that broke off to Cat. It should make for a great specimen to perform metallurgy testing to determine cause of failure.
chrisJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:15 pm
first of all randy arctic cat doesnt make the a arms they arm farmed out, so tone the drama down a few notches. this sort of thing happens all the time when manufacturers are trying to build the lightest most profitable machines while still being competitive. there have been less than a hundred out of 16000 sleds affected so they definitely jumped on it quick, i personally have seen it on tv and g[Show More]first of all randy arctic cat doesnt make the a arms they arm farmed out, so tone the drama down a few notches. this sort of thing happens all the time when manufacturers are trying to build the lightest most profitable machines while still being competitive. there have been less than a hundred out of 16000 sleds affected so they definitely jumped on it quick, i personally have seen it on tv and got a certified in the mail stating the recall info.the last thing any of us need are kneejerk reactions by a bunch of jonnycomelately yuppys wrecking this sport for everyone else, no offence intended. toyotas are still more dangerous LOL
RandyJanuary 26, 2011 at 3:37 pm
I recently purchased a Arctic Cat 2010 F5 LXR Snowmobile on January 18th, 2011. On Saturday 1/22/11 I went out for my first ride to break in my new sled. Our group spent the whole day riding trails and put approximately 100 miles on my new sled. Mind you, I was not aware of any recall at this point. In any case at the end of the evening when loading my sled on my trailer I noticed a small black pi[Show More]I recently purchased a Arctic Cat 2010 F5 LXR Snowmobile on January 18th, 2011. On Saturday 1/22/11 I went out for my first ride to break in my new sled. Our group spent the whole day riding trails and put approximately 100 miles on my new sled. Mind you, I was not aware of any recall at this point. In any case at the end of the evening when loading my sled on my trailer I noticed a small black piece of metal (clam shell shaped) on the bed of the trailer. When I got home and thawed the sled out in the garage, I discovered the piece that broke off was from the lower control arm and that the control arm was disconnected from where it is supposed to be fastened. Worried and angry, while thanking God that I was still alive, I contacted my dealer where I purchased my sled, and he informed me that there had just been a re-call bulleting from the Consumer Safety Board regarding the steering and lower control arm. My dealer looked up the parts list for my sled and the area where the failure was and we discoverd that this is the exact area of the recall bulletin. I really cannot believe this. Whats more perplexing to me is why in the world artic cat would make this material so thin in this area. That piece that broke off appears to be very thin to begin with. I happen to be a material specialist and realized that this is a fatigue failure and appears to be bad metallurgy. The piece that broke off was not in the welded area but in virgin material albeit, certainly in the heat affected zone. In any case I am very upset, out of commission for God knows how long. So far the dealerships in my area have not recieved the recall parts to start fixing the problem. I have also noticed that Arctic Cat website has not posted the recall either. This is my first snowmobile I have bought in years and I paid in excess of 7,000.00 for my new F5. I am sorely dissapointed and angered. I cant believe in the name of making snowmobiles lighter that Artic Cat would skimp on material thickness etc, especially when it comes to steering and suspension. When I tell you that I am thankful to be alive, is an understatement. I have a wife and 5 year old that I might have not come home to last Saturday. To God be the glory.