The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·02555·Announced 2002-08-20

Polaris Recalls RANGER Off-Road Utility Vehicles Due to Swing Arm Defect

Polaris is recalling about 7,600 RANGER Off-Road Utility Vehicles and Professional Series UTVs because rear suspension pivot bolts can loosen, potentially causing loss of vehicle control.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (rear suspension swing arm) that can lead to loss of vehicle control, and the source text explicitly reports one injury to a passenger, meeting the criteria for a Severe (Score 4) classification.

Plain-English summary

Polaris Industries Inc. is recalling approximately 7,600 RANGER Off-Road Utility Vehicles and Professional Series Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) manufactured in the USA. The affected vehicles were sold by Polaris dealers worldwide from April 2001 through July 2002 for prices ranging from $6,999 to $9,949 depending on the model.

The recall addresses a defect in the swing arm, which is part of the rear suspension. During operation, the pivot bolts of the swing arm can loosen and fall out. If this occurs, the swing arm can become partially disconnected from the frame, resulting in the vehicle losing power because the drivetrain connection to the wheels is no longer maintained. This loss of power and the resulting disorientation of the swing arm could cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle, leading to injury. Polaris has received 23 reports possibly related to this issue, including one instance where a passenger was injured after bumping their head on the cab frame.

Consumers should stop using these vehicles immediately and contact their local Polaris dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair. For more information, consumers can contact Polaris at (800)-POLARIS or visit www.polarisindustries.com.

The recalled product

Product
RANGER Off-Road Utility Vehicles and Professional Series Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs)
Manufacturer
Polaris Industries Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn.
Category
Vehicle — Off-Road Utility Vehicle
Hazard
Affected units
7,600

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same manufacturer · Polaris Industries Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn.

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Same hazard · loss of control

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