Fires prompt another recall for Minnesota-based Arctic Cat

Arctic Cat issued its second recall in three weeks, this time for an overheating winch wire that caused five vehicle fires but no injuries, according to a government report filed late last week.

About 300 of Arctic Cat's "Wildcat" four-wheel vehicles were recalled Thursday, as well as 3,000 winch accessory kits, according to a report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The recalls involve 2017 Wildcat Trail SE (Special Edition) and 2017 Wildcat Sport (SE) vehicles. They also include accessory winch kits Arctic Cat sold from 2014 through 2017.

The CPSC said Arctic Cat received 49 complaints from riders after their winch solenoid wiring system, which sits under driver seats, either overheated or simply failed. Five fires, but no injuries, were reported.

Vehicle owners were advised to stop riding the machines immediately and to take the vehicles to an Arctic Cat dealer for a free repair.

Arctic Cat, which manufacturers four-wheelers and snowmobiles in Thief River Falls, Minn., was purchased last year by the Rhode Island-based firm Textron Inc.

It has faced a number of recalls of late.

Last month, it recalled 14,100 vehicles, including its Wildcat Trail model years 2014 to 2017, and the Wildcat Sport, model years 2015 to 2017. Those recalls came after the company received 444 complaints from riders that their heat exhaust had melted plastic panels behind driver and passenger seats.

In those cases, five fires, but no injuries, were also reported.

Arctic Cat previously recalled 4,600 four-wheelers in August 2016 due to throttle cable problems. It recalled 20,700 snowmobiles in January amid cracked fuel tank concerns and another 2,700 in June due to a drive clutch problem. Because Arctic Cat is now a division of Textron, it is no longer immediately apparent how investors react to news of its vehicle recalls. Textron rose 51 cents a share to close at $53.48 a share Monday. When it was a stand-alone company, word of recalls was enough to send the stock tumbling.

The power sports industry has had a number of recalls in recent years.

The most notable example may be for Polaris, the Medina-based maker of all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and electric vehicles. It recalled more than 450,000 vehicles over three years for a variety of problems, most involving mechanical hazards that posed a fire risk.

Polaris has been sued by the families of several people who were killed, burned or otherwise injured while riding its products. The company also suffered several lawsuits from investors displeased by large warranty costs and for stock price declines.

Includes reporting by Paul Walsh.

Dee DePass • 612-673-7725