The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·16744·Announced 2016-05-12

Kubota Recalls Utility Vehicles Due to Steering Shaft Breakage Hazard

Kubota is recalling about 23,400 RTV400 and RTV500 utility vehicles because the steering shaft can break, causing loss of control and collision risks.

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 (steering shaft breakage) that has resulted in reported injuries, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Kubota Tractor Corporation is recalling approximately 23,400 model year 2013, 2014, and 2015 RTV400 and RTV500 series gas-powered utility vehicles. The recall involves vehicles with serial numbers ranging from 10001 to 22042 for the RTV400 and 25083 to 40991 for the RTV500. These vehicles were sold nationwide through authorized Kubota dealers from 2010 to 2015 for between $21,000 and $22,000.

The recall is being issued because the steering shaft can break, which may cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle. This poses an injury hazard due to the risk of collision. Kubota has received nine reports of shafts breaking, including one incident where a consumer lost control and collided with a barbed wire fence, resulting in a cut on the arm.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled utility vehicles and contact an authorized Kubota dealer for a free inspection and repair. Kubota is also contacting known customers directly. For more information, consumers can call Kubota Tractor Corporation at 800-752-0290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit www.kubota.com and navigate to More, then Safety, then Safety Notices.

The recalled product

Product
Utility Vehicles
Affected units
23,400

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.