Recall: All-Terrain Vehicles Recalled by Kawasaki

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2000 Release # 00-180

Kawasaki Recall Hotline: (866) 802-9381 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052

CPSC, Kawasaki Announce Recall of All-Terrain Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 47,000 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Under certain conditions, the drive belts on these ATVs can break, and pieces of the belt can lock up the transmission, including the wheels, causing the vehicle to stop suddenly. This can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle, crash, or be ejected off the vehicle, resulting in injury or death.

Kawasaki has received reports of 12 riders suffering injuries as a result of drive belts breaking and their vehicle suddenly stopping.

The following 4-wheel drive Prairie ATV 1997-1999 models are included in this recall: KVF 300-A1, KVF 400-A1, KVF 400-A2/L, KVF 400- C1. "Kawasaki Prairie" is written on both sides of the ATVs, and "4X4" is printed on the rear of the seat.

Kawasaki dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from September 1996 through August 2000 for between $5,300 and $6,200.

Consumers with the recalled ATVs should stop using them immediately, and call their Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free belt inspection. Original equipment belts will be replaced with a new generation belt free of charge. Also, an addendum to the owner's manual and a warning label about maintaining the drive belt will be provided. Registered owners of the vehicles will be notified directly by Kawasaki about the recall. For more information, contact Kawasaki at (866) 802- 9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

The 2000-2001 model Prairie ATVs came eqiupped with the new generation belt, but are included in the recall to provide owners an addendum to the owner manual and a warning label. These include the following models: KVF 300-A2, KVF 300-A3, KVF 400-C2, KVF 400-C3.