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January 11, 2006
Alert #06-525
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CPSC, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Announce Recall of Utility Vehicles
The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Kawasaki 2005-2006 model year Mule 600 Utility Vehicles
Units: About 15,200
Distributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif.
Hazard: The steering knuckle can twist or break from wheel forces transmitted to the steering system during operation. This can cause a loss of steering control and possible collapse of the front suspension, posing a risk of incident or injury to the operator or passenger.
Incidents/Injuries: Kawasaki has received 24 reports of the knuckle cracking or breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves Kawasaki 2005-2006 model year KAF400 Mule 600 Utility Vehicles. These models are off-road utility vehicles available in red, green, or camouflage livery. They have "Kawasaki" on the side of the cargo bed and "Mule" on the side of the front cowling.
Sold by: Kawasaki Utility dealers nationwide from November 2004 through December 2005 for between $5,900 and $7,100
Manufactured In: United States
What to Do: Consumers with recalled utility vehicles were sent direct notice from Kawasaki. Consumers should stop using these vehicles immediately and contact a local Kawasaki Utility dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can call Kawasaki Customer Service toll-free at (866) 802-9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.kawasaki.com
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.