Recall: Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. Recall of ATVs

November 2, 2005
Alert #06-506

CPSC, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. Announce Recall of ATVs

The following product safety recall was conducted voluntarily by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Customers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Yamaha Bruin 250, Bruin 350 4WD and 2WD, Big Bear 400, Kodiak 400, Kodiak 450, and Wolverine 450 ATVs.

Units: About 70,000

Manufacturer/Distributor: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A., of Cypress, Calif.

Hazard: The protective boots covering the steering system's tie-rod ends (universal joints) on the recalled ATVs could be pinched during installation or adjustment, cutting a hole in the rubber. If this occurs, grease could escape, and contaminants such as sand or mud could get into the assembly through the hole, causing accelerated wear. This could result in abnormal steering free play. If the ATV continues to be operated without repair, the ball and socket portion of the tie-rod end could wear to the point that they separate, resulting in loss of steering control, which could cause a vehicle crash with injury or death.

Incidents/Injuries: Yamaha has received no reports of incidents or injuries.

Description: Yamaha has announced a voluntary recall of certain 2005 and 2006 Yamaha Bruin 250, Bruin 350 4WD and 2WD, Big Bear 400, Kodiak 400, and Kodiak 450 ATVs, and certain 2006 Wolverine 450 ATVs. Below is a list of make, model and vehicle identification numbers (VIN) involved in the recall.

Make/Model Vehicle Identification Number ("VIN")

2005 Bruin 250 2WD
2006 Bruin 250 2WD
2005 Bruin 350 Auto 2WD
2006 Bruin 350 Auto 2WD
2005 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD
2006 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD
2005 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD Hunter
2006 Bruin 350 Auto 4WD Hunter
2005 Big Bear 400 4WD
2006 Big Bear 400 4WD
2005 Kodiak 400 4WD
2006 Kodiak 400 4WD
2005 Kodiak 400 4WD/Hunter
2006 Kodiak 400 4WD/Hunter
2005 Kodiak 450 4WD
2005 Kodiak 450 4WD
2005 Kodiak 450 4WD/Hunter
2005 Kodiak 450 4WD/Hunter
2005 Kodiak 450 4WD SE
2006 Wolverine 450 4WD

YFM250BT
YFM250BV
YFM350BAT
YFM350BAV
YFM350FAT
YFM350FAV
YFM350FAHT
YFM350FAHV
YFM400FT
YFM400FV
YFM400FAT
YFM400FAV
YFM400FAHT
YFM400FAHV
YFM450FAT
YFM450FAV
YFM450FAHT
YFM450FAHV
YFM450FASET
YFM450FXV

AG01Y-0116001 ~ 0120900
AG01Y-0120901 ~ 0123400
AH10Y-0012901 ~ 0016600
AH10Y-0016601 ~ 0020100
AH09Y-0019301 ~ 0023500
AH09Y-0023501 ~ 0029400
AH13Y-0002601 ~ 0003600
AH13Y-0003601 ~ 0006100
AH06Y-0055101 ~ 0057600
AH06Y-0057601 ~ 0059281
AJ15Y-0000101 ~ 0009600
AJ15Y-0009601 ~ 0011700
AJ17Y-0000101 ~ 0002100
AJ17Y-0002101 ~ 0003200
AJ14Y-0000101 ~ 0014900
AJ14Y-0014901 ~ 0018800
AJ16Y-0000101 ~ 0005300
AJ16Y-0005301 ~ 0008300
AJ18Y-0000101 ~ 0002700
AJ21Y-0000101 ~ 0001400



Sold at: Yamaha dealers sold these ATVs nationwide from 2004 to October 2005. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the affected ATVs ranged from about $3,500 to $7,000.

Manufactured in: United States.

Remedy: Free repair. Registered owners of the affected units were notified directly by mail sent on October 14, 2005. Consumers should stop using their ATV immediately and contact an authorized Yamaha dealer to schedule an appointment for repair.

Consumer Contact: Call Yamaha at (800) 227-5963 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET everyday, or log on to the company's Web site at www.yamaha-motor.com

Picture of Recalled Bruin 250 All-Terrain Vehicle
Bruin 250
Picture of Recalled Bruin 350 All-Terrain Vehicle
Bruin 350
Picture of Recalled Big Bear 400 All-Terrain Vehicle
Big Bear 400
Picture of Recalled Kodiak 400 All-Terrain Vehicle
Kodiak 400
Picture of Recalled Kodiak 450 All-Terrain Vehicle
Kodiak 450




Picture of Recalled Wolverine 450 All-Terrain Vehicle
Wolverine 450