CPSC, American Honda Motor Co. Announce Recall of ATVs

SEE ALSO: ATV's Are Kid Killers

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

  
   
   Name of product: Honda 2004-2005 FourTrax All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
   
   Units: About 200,000
   
   Distributor: American Honda Motor Co. Inc., of Torrance, Calif.
   
   Hazard: The steering rods can separate, causing the driver to lose
   steering control.  This could cause the ATV to crash and pose a risk of
   serious injury or death.
   
   Incidents/Injuries: Honda has received 27 reports of steering rod
   separation.  No injuries have been reported.
   
   Description: The recall includes 2004-2005 FourTrax Honda ATVs.  The
   ATVs are red, olive, yellow or blue and have "Honda" written on the fuel
   tank.  The following models are included in recall:

   Year  Model No.  Model Name                    VIN Range
   
   2004  TRX350TE   Rancher ES    478TE244*44300003 through 478TE244*44310382
   
   TRX350TM   Rancher       478TE240*44300006 through 478TE240*44310445
   
   TRX350FE   Rancher 4x4   478TE254*44300010 through 478TE254*44323289
   ES
   
   TRX350FM   Rancher 4X4   478TE250*44300005 through 478TE250*44315544
   
   TRX400FA   Rancher AT    478TE290*44000055 through 478TE290*44019249
   
   TRX400FGA  Rancher AT    478TE294*44000016 through 478TE294*44008055
   GPS
   
   2005  TRX250TE   Recon ES      1HFTE214*54500014 through 1HFTE214*54510334
   
   TRX250TM   Recon         1HFTE210*54500010 through 1HFTE210*54509249
   
   TRX350TE   Rancher ES    1HFTE244*54400001 through 1HFTE244*54412240
   
   TRX350TM   Rancher       1HFTE240*54400001 through 1HFTE240*54410980
   
   TRX350FE   Rancher 4x4   1HFTE254*54400001 through 1HFTE254*54415180
   ES
   
   TRX350FM   Rancher 4x4   1HFTE250*54400001 through 1HFTE250*54416860
   
   TRX400FA   Rancher AT    1HFTE290*54100005 through 1HFTE290*54115657
   
   TRX400FGA  Rancher AT    1HFTE294*54100004 through 1HFTE294*54103423
   GPS
   
   TRX500TM   Foreman       1HFTE314*54000012 through 1HFTE314*54002112
   
   TRX500FM   Foreman 4x4   1HFTE310*54000015 through 1HFTE310*54002715
   
   TRX500FE   Foreman 4x4   1HFTE317*54000026 through 1HFTE317*54003486
   ES
   
   TRX500FA   Foreman       1HFTE260*54400010 through 1HFTE260*54402169
   Rubicon
   
   TRX500FGA  Foreman       1HFTE264*54400012 through 1HFTE264*54400555
   Rubicon GPS
   
   TRX650FA   Rincon 4x4    1HFTE280*54000009 through 1HFTE280*54011239
   
   TRX650FGA  Rincon 4x4    1HFTE284*54000002 through 1HFTE284*54002521
   GPS
   
   The model numbers can be found on the identification label located on
   the left side of the frame down tube.  The VIN number is stamped on the
   front side of the frame.
   
   Sold At: Honda motorcycle dealers nationwide from August 2003 through
   February 2005 for between $3,600 and $8,000.
   
   Manufactured In: United States.
   
   Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled ATVs immediately.
   Registered owners of the vehicles will be notified directly by American
   Honda about the recall.  All recalled vehicles will be repaired free of
   charge.
   
   Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should call Honda
   toll-free at (866) 784-1870 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday
   through Friday, or visit their Web site at
   http://www.powersports.honda.com/

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products -- such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals -- contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/.

Honda Recall Hotline: (866) 784-1870

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772