Yamaha recalls Rhino off-road vehicles

AdamFL

FYI
The Consumer Products Safety Commission urged owners of Yamaha Motor Corp.'s Rhino 450, 660 and 700 off-highway recreational vehicles to stop using them immediately until they are repaired by a dealer. The repairs include installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar. The aim is to reduce the Rhino's propensity to roll over. Because of that flaw, Rhinos have been subject of many lawsuits.

The CPSC staff has investigated more than 50 incidents involving an astounding 46 driver and passenger deaths. More than two-thirds involved rollovers. In addition, says CPSC spokesperson Scott Wolfson, there have been a significant number of injuries.

The Rhino is a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) that seats driver and passenger side-by-side. Unlike an ATV, it has a steering column, a roll cage, and seat belts. And, unlike ATVs, these vehicles are not required to meet any safety standards. In fact, there are no voluntary safety standards that cover UTVs. We urge RHOVA, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, to develop a comprehensive and effective safety standard as soon as possible to reduce further death and injury.

According to Jason Shamblin, an attorney from Birmingham, Alabama who represents victims of Rhino rollovers, this is Yamaha’s third attempt to address the injuries associated with its vehicles. In 2006, Yamaha sent out stickers that warned riders to keep their arms and legs inside the vehicle. In 2007, it offered a “silent recall,” not announced by the CPSC, that provided owners with free doors to help contain occupants. Today’s announcement, although not termed a recall, is in fact a large recall of some 120,000 450 and 660 models. In addition, 25,000 Rhino 700s are part of the repair program. (The Rhino 450 and 700 were recalled last year due to risk of brake failure.)

The takeaway: These are dangerous vehicles that must be driven with care and used with safety gear, including seat belts and helmets. If you have a 450, 660 or 700 Rhino model, heed the CPSC’s advice: Stop using it immediately and contact a Yamaha dealer now for a repair. (To find one, call 800-962-7926 or visit Yamaha's Web site.) But be aware that dealers may not be getting the repair kits for several weeks, so be patient.

BGW

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scottyb

Spacing out the rear wheels and removing the sway bar is not going to make the ATV safe. 46 deaths speaks volumes about the risks involved in off roading these things. Sounds like a runner up to the 3 wheel ATV.
Safety all boils down to the user.... Don't drink and drive your ATV!
Thanks for the heads up

SP-Electronics

I am always so aggravated by these types of lawsuits, and recalls. 97% of these "accidents" are due to driver error, or STUPIDITY. Trying to do something the vehicle was NOT designed or intended for, and then they blame the manufacturer. It's a shame. What happened to being responsible for our own actions?

If we fall off a tree stump, do we sue the guy that cut the tree down?

I could see if the wheels fall off and cause a crash, or the brakes fail under normal use, or the steering column breaks, or something like that, but I doubt most rollovers happen in those vehicle under "normal" use. However, what is to be "expected" when you manufacture and sell these vehicles? The manufacturer surely knows what people like us are GOING to do with them... I'd be terrified to build and sell these types of vehicles to the general public.

tonyton

"Off roading" anything is dangerous. Most off roading involves unknown and constantly changing terrain. Even if you have been on a trail one month before doesn't mean it hasn't been washed out and is now a gulley. I consider racing safer than general off roading.
It does all begin with the operator. If you have a rollcage and don't use the seatbelt the results won't be as "designed". If you are strapped in and don't wear a helmet...same thing. You'll hit your head on the rollbar. All the warning labels in the world can't teach common sense.
46 deaths is too many, something isn't right there. I tend to agree with that

Xtreme Cartz

I agree with you guys these roll over law suits are rediculous. If you get some guy doing donuts on a rhino and flips it...how is the manufacturer to blame?
I do, however, think the leg minders are a good and much needed addition.

coal_man

That's the truth for sure. I think you could turn over anything on wheels if you really wanted to. It may not mean it's unsafe, just that the operator was acting like a fool.

coal_man

spriddle

They sure aren't fireproof.

toadady

i know a guy who's son died in Rino rollover, but then again late at night i see ambulance chaser commercials wanting you to call if you have been injured or know of someone who has died in a rinoroll,

i think it all comes down to who's holding the wheel.

SP-Electronics

Definitely. A couple of friends and I used to buy random beater cars for $100-300 each, just to go smash up in the desert, and I often (intentionally, and sometimes unintentionally) would roll them over at least once during the day/night. Small cars, large cars, didn't matter. But, we did it for FUN, and wouldn't have blamed the manufacturer if one of us had become injured or ended up dead. We knew the consequences of our actions (we also took precautions to help prevent serious injury or death).

I'm sure there are some minor changes that could/should be made to Rhino and other off-road vehicles, to make them a little safer, but COMMON SENSE should still be #1. Build a better and safer vehicle, and someone will come along and find a way to defeat it. :)

WW