Government recalls 13,500 Polaris off-road vehicles over fire concern

Latest notice covers 13,500 off-road recreational vehicles.

March 4, 2017 at 4:15AM

Fire and recall woes continue to dog Polaris Industries, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued another recall affecting the company, this time for 13,500 off-road recreational vehicles.

This week's recall notice involved no injuries but is the latest in a series of recalls that have beset the Medina-based maker of ATVs, snowmobiles and motorcycles over possible fire risks.

More than 160 fires and at least one death have been reported in Polaris recreational vehicles in the past two years.

Polaris has recalled more than 252,000 off-road, four-wheel vehicles to fix various flaws. Those costs have soared past $120 million, officials said.

The recall notice this week said that Polaris received 14 reports of vehicles catching on fire because of a problem with a brake master cylinder.

There also was a report of a fire and two reports of melting components related to an engine misfire.

Vehicles affected include Polaris' previously recalled RZR Turbo and RZR 900 and 1000 four-wheel vehicle models, as well as its Turbo and General 1000 models for 2016 and 2017.

The vehicles were made in the United States and Mexico and were sold between August 2015 and February 2017 for $12,800 to $24,000.

Customers are being asked to stop using the vehicles and take them to a dealer for a free repair.

The commission noted that Polaris is contacting affected customers directly and suggested that consumers check their vehicle I.D. numbers against the list provided on Polaris' website, polaris.com.

Polaris shares fell $1.37 to close at $85.46 Friday.

Dee DePass • 612-673-7725

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about the writer

Dee DePass

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Dee DePass is an award-winning business reporter covering Minnesota small businesses for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She previously covered commercial real estate, manufacturing, the economy, workplace issues and banking.

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