U.S.

Honda Recalls ATVs

November 14, 2000 / 7:15 AM EST / AP

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. of Torrance, Calif., is recalling about 126,000 all-terrain vehicles in two models for different problems that could cause drivers to lose control and crash, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Monday.

The two models are the Honda Rancher TRX350 ATV and the Honda TRX400EX ATV.

A mounting bracket on the front suspension of the Honda Rancher TRX350 models could be welded improperly to the frame. If the mounting breaks, the vehicle could lose steering control, the commission said.

Honda has received 98 reports of improper welding, but no injuries or incidents have been reported.

The ATVs are red, orange or olive green. "Honda Rancher" is written on the sides of the ATV's fuel tank.

The Vehicle Identification Number is located on a bracket behind the front bumper. The models, years and VIN ranges being recalled includes:

2000 TRX350TM Rancher; 478TE240*YA000001 to 478TE240*YA006853
2001 TRX350TM Rancher; 478TE240*1A100001 to 478TE240*1A106180
2000 TRX350TE Rancher ES; 478TE244*YA000001 to 478TE244*YA014053
2001 TRX350TE Rancher ES; 478TE244*1A100001 to 478TE244*1A106660
2000 TRX350FM Rancher 4x4; 478TE240*YA000001 to 478TE250*YA009132
2001 TRX350FM Rancher 4x4; 478TE240*1A100001 to 478TE250*1A107740
2000 TRX350FE Rancher 4x4 ES; 478TE244*YA000001 to 478TE254*YA021554
2001 TRX350FE Rancher 4x4 ES; 478TE244*1A100001 to 478TE254*1A110680

The brake pads on the Honda TRX400EX ATVs could have been assembled incorrectly, causing the brakes to fail, the safety commission said.

Honda has received 53 reports of incorrectly assembled brake pads, resulting in two injuries that included a sprained wrist and bruising.

The ATVs are red or yellow and the model name, 400EX, appears on both sides of the fuel tank. The VIN is located on the down tube located on the front left side of the frame.

The recall includes the following models and VIN ranges:

2000 TRX400EX; 478TE230*Y4000001 to 478TE230*Y4028370
2000 TRX400EX; 478TE232*Y7000001 to 478TE232*Y4001140
2001 TRX400EX; 478TE230*14100001 to 478TE230*14103720
2001 TRX400EX; 478TE230*14100001 to 478TE232*14100600

Honda ATV dealers nationwide sold both models of these ATVs from July 1999 through September 2000 for between $4,000 and $6,000, the commission said.

Consumers should stop driving the ATVs immediately and call their local Honda ATV dealer for a free inspection and repair, if needed.

To locate a local dealer or for more information, call 1-888-289-8226 between 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

Registered owners of the vehicles have been notified directly by American Honda about the recall.