Yamaha Rhino owners

[TwoGuns]

Yamaha Rhino Off-Roader Recalled After 46 Deaths

Thursday, April 02, 2009

 

 

WASHINGTON — Yamaha Motor Corp., USA recalled about 145,000 off-highway recreational vehicles for repairs Tuesday after three models were involved in 46 deaths.

 

The two-passenger vehicles are designed for drivers over 16 years old with valid drivers licenses, although some reported deaths involved younger children who were passengers or who operated the vehicles against recommendations, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall.

 

All Rhino 450, 660 and 700 model vehicles were recalled for repairs designed to prevent accidents that resulted in 46 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The reported deaths occurred from the fall of 2003, when the vehicles were first distributed, through this year.

 

More than two-thirds of the incidents were rollovers. According to the CPSC many of these involved turns on level ground at relatively slow speeds. A number of incidents also involved riders not wearing seat belts.

 

"These are incredibly large and disconcerting numbers," said Rachel Weintraub, director of product safety and senior counsel for Consumer Federation of America. "It certainly is showing an alarming pattern of deaths and injuries, which is of grave concern."

 

The repairs are designed to reduce rollover risk, as well as to improve handling and keep riders' limbs inside the vehicles.

 

"The safety of our customers drives everything we do at Yamaha and today's announcement by the CPSC about Yamaha's free repair offer ... reflects this commitment," company spokesman Van Holmes said. He added that the reported incidents represent less than 1 percent of Rhino users.

 

Owners of the recalled Rhino models should stop using these vehicles and call their local dealer to schedule an appointment for repairs. They can also receive a free helmet.

 

"I strongly encourage owners ... to get these repairs as soon as possible," CPSC acting chairwoman Nancy Nord said in a statement. "In the meantime, safety dictates not to use these vehicles until the repairs are made."

 

Yamaha encourages Rhino users to follow safety guidelines included in the owner's manual and on warning stickers.

 

Sales of these vehicles have also been suspended for repairs.

 

This is the first government recall of this category of recreational vehicle.

 

[Browning'sCustomMeat]

ooooooohhhhh.............a free helmet!

[Snapshot]

There's already ambulance chasing lawyers advertising on television over this situation.

[tjhunt2]

I have been leaning towards a rino and was wondering if any members here have them and what are their response to all the media. Were the accidents reckless on behave of the drivers or are they really that bad? It's got me thinking ranger after all the hype. Anyone care to offer their opion?

 

TJ

[Snapshot]

The Rhino has always had a very narrow wheel base, and has a habit of being very tippy . A quick fix to this is to install 2" wheel spacer kits.

[tjhunt2]

The Rhino has always had a very narrow wheel base, and has a habit of being very tippy . A quick fix to this is to install 2" wheel spacer kits.

 

Thanks Brent!

 

TJ

[BML]

I have had one for two years now and I am sick of hearing all the crap about them being unsafe. Rhinos are a true UTILITY vehicle. They were not designed to do what everyone wants them to do and that's GO FAST! They do have a narrow wheel base and cannot handle high speed turns. I know dozens of guys that own them and a few of them that have rolled them or laid them on their sides. Of those, every person admitted that they were screwing around and pushing the limits and that's why they rolled. My wife did the same thing. She was driving way past her abilities and she laid it over.

 

As far as the latest voluntary recall, I really don't understand the whole "low speed roll over". It obviously happens, but I just don't understand how. Also, like any other motorized vehicle, seat belts are worthless when you aren't wearing them.

 

Two things you need to know if you own one:

 

1--Know your vehicle's limits and capabilities

 

2--Know your own driving limits and capabilities.

 

If you can do those two things, and you are smart enough to wear your seat belts and helmet, the rhino will be one of the funnest vehicles you will ever own.

[Snapshot]

BML,

 

Absolutely correct on that. The Rhino is a great machine, and with all the aftermarket stuff available it can be a fantastic machine if you want to spend the coin.

 

The Rhino is more tippy in high speed corners or on steeper side angles, much more so than a polaris Ranger, but the wheel spacer kit will add 4" to the width. But like you said most people roll or tip it over by going too fast in corners or sidehilling it. I don't buy the slow speed tipover that they are claiming unless someone is sidehilling at angle that they shouldn't be.