CPSC Announces Proposed Rules For Recreational Off-Road Vehicles

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to address safety hazards associated with Recreational Off-road Vehicles (ROVs).

CPSC staff’s preliminary evaluations indicated that the vehicles may exhibit inadequate lateral stability, undesirable steering characteristics, and inadequate occupant protection during a rollover crash.

The review of ROVs, sometimes called utility vehicles or side by sides, by the CPSC was initiated by numerous incidents related to the Yamaha Rhino including a number of deaths. (CPSC distinguishes between ROVs and utility vehicles with the former operating at speeds over 30 mph and the latter under 30 mph) The CPSC conducted tests from November 2008 to January 2009.

The ROV manufactuers, through the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), proposed their own standard in December 2008 but this was rejected by the CPSC, as they found preliminarily…

Based on the continuing deaths and injuries involving ROVs and a review of the draft requirements currently proposed by the ROHVA, CPSC staff believes that the proposed voluntary standard will not adequately address the deaths and injuries associated with ROV rollovers and collisions. Additionally, there are many safety features or characteristics that can be incorporated on ROVs to make them more stable and safer to use.

The CPSC identified three key areas of ROV design that impact safety:  static stability factor (SSF),  vehicle handling and occupant  retention and protection.  One change the CPSC has talked about with the ROHVA is having vehicles meet a specific SSF value.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

CPSC Memorandum

Bad Boy Buggies Recall

Bad Boy Buggie Standard Model Being Recalled

Yesterday the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Bad Boy Enterprises, announced a voluntary recall of the company’s Bad Boy Buggie Standard model. The company has received 32 reports of the vehicles accelerating without warning, which in some cases resulted in injuries. The recall affects models with serial numbers between 85004828 and 95010404. The serial number is located on a sticker in a cubby on the driver’s side. the vehicles were sold between June, 2007 and July, 2009. Consumers should immediately stop using the vehicles and contact their Bad Boy Buggy dealer for a free repair. For additional information, contact Bad Boy Enterprises toll-free at (866) 678-6701 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit their website. Learn more: CPSC.gov

Update: Originally the company tried a software patch to fix what they thought was the problem.  While this did reduce instances of the problem, the did not completely solve it.  The company will now be installing a zener diode chip into vehicles as a remedy.  the process should take less than an hour ,and even if you already have the software patch you should still have the new chip installed. Learn more:  Natchezdemocrat.com

US Special Ops Lets The Good Times Roll With The Teryx

Kawasaki Teryx Joins US Special Ops

After extensive research and evaluation the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has ordered 1,625 Kawasaki Teryx recreation utility vehicles to serve as tactical vehicles.  The $28.4 million order was won through a bidding process by Houston based UV Country.  The order will be filled over five years and works out to be about $17,500 per vehicle.

The specific model in the contract is the 2009 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 RUV which features side-by-side seating for two adults, a roll over protective structure (ROPS), front discs and a special sealed rear brake, four wheel independent suspension, a tilting cargo bed with 500 pounds of carrying capacity and the ability to tow up to 1,300 pounds. Learn more:  UTVguide.net

Yamaha To Recall & Suspend Sale Of Rhino Utility Vehicles

Yamaha Rhino 660 without doors installed

Yesterday, Yamaha, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall and suspension of sales of their popular Rhino utility vehicle so dealers can make appropriate repairs.  The action affects all the Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models sold since the fall of 2003.  Consumers are urged not to use the vehicles until repairs have been made.

According to the CPSC:

CPSC staff has investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 driver and passenger deaths in these two Rhino models. More than two-thirds of the cases involved rollovers and many involved unbelted occupants. Of the rollover-related deaths and hundreds of reported injuries, some of which were serious, many appear to involve turns at relatively low speeds and on level terrain.

The recall involves an estimated 145,000 vehicles:  120,000 of the model 450 and 660 Rhinos  and  25,000 of the model 700.

Repairs to the vehicles are designed to improve handling and reduce the chances of rollover and include inserting a spacer on the rear wheels and removing a rear anti-sway bar.  Additional hand holds and half doors will also be installed, if they have not been already.  Yamaha can be reached at 800-962-7926 or www.yamaha-motor.com.

Learn more:  CPSC

Yamaha Touts Rhino First Responder Program

In less than three years more than 600 Rhinos have been put into service with first responders through Yamaha’s Law Loan Program and Government Order Program according to a Yamaha press release. The first program loans the side-by-side vehicles and other products free of charge to law enforcement, fire fighters, EMTs, U.S. Border Patrol, volunteer riding groups and others, while the latter program provides discounts to government agencies. Some of the organizations participating in the programs include the: Sunwannee County Fire Rescue of Live Oak, Florida, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Department in Orofino, Idaho, San Angelo Lake & Park Police Department in San Angelo, Texas and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. Learn more: PR-Inside.com

Yamaha Rhino Federal Lawsuits Consolidated

Yamaha Rhino lawsuits filed in federal districts around the United States will be consolidated for pretrial litigation in the Western District of Kentucky.  There are currently  55 different product liability lawsuits related to the Rhino filed in 33 different U.S. District Courts.  The common allegation in the lawsuits is that the side by side vehicle has defects that give it a propensity to tip over.

Most of the lawsuits in federal courts have been filed in the last year and more are expected.  If filings in state courts are included, those following the story estimate over 200 lawsuits in total are pending across the country.  Last month consumer advocates and victims of rollover incidents released a report(pdf) that covers all utility terrain vehicles (UTV) but extensively discusses the Yamaha Rhino. Learn more about the consolidation