ATVs Recalled by Consumer Product Commission

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) issued a recall notice January 2 for MXU 500 All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) for model years 2006 through 2008. The notice, issued by the Office of Information and Public Affairs for the CPSC, says the recall was issued for safety reasons and that the manufacturer of the ATVs agreed to the recall voluntarily. Owners of the ATVs are advised to immediately stop using the recalled vehicles.

More than 1,300 of the recalled ATVs were produced in Taiwan and imported into the United States by KYMCO USA of Spartanburg, South Carolina. According to the company's web site, KYMCO began producing motor sports equipment in Taiwan more than 40 years ago as the Kwang Yang Motor Company. KYMCO has five vehicle production facilities located throughout Asia and exports its products to nearly 90 countries around the world. The Spartanburg-based import headquarters services more than 600 KYMCO dealer throughout the United States.

The problem with the ATVs is that the pivot bolts holding the rear suspension to the ATV frame could loosen and risk detachment of the rear swing arm. So far, the CPSC says, six separate incidents have been reported, two with injuries to consumers. Owners of the recalled ATVs are cautioned to contact a KYMCO dealer to have their ATV repaired free of charge.

The ATV Safety Institute, a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, offers ATV owners information and resources that promote ATV education and safety. Some of the services offered by the institute include rider training information, the institute's golden rules for riders, environmental awareness information for riders, information on ATV riding gear designed to protect riders from injury, a library of information for educators and parents, safety tips for ATV riders, and online enrollment for an ATV rider course. The institute also periodically publishes public service announcements concerning ATV safety and makes the promotional materials available to the public on its web site. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, consumer product incidents cost American taxpayers more than $800 billion each year.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has jurisdiction over more than 15,000 types of consumer products. To report a problem with a product or an injury resulting from a product, consumers can contact the CPSC via telephone at (800) 638-2772 or through the CPSC web site.

Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site, KYMCO USA web site, ATV Safety Institute web site