All-Terrain Vehicles Recalled by Kawasaki

All-Terrain Vehicles Recalled by Kawasaki NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 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