FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2002
Release # 02-210

Yamaha's Recall Hotline: (800) 88-YAMAHA
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Mark Ross, (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188

CPSC, Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. Announce
Recall to Inspect and Repair ATVs

CPSC, Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. Announce Recall to Inspect and Repair ATVs WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. of Cypress, Calif., is recalling to inspect and repair about 14,000 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). A mounting-bracket weld on the rear hub can come loose, resulting in rear brake failure and possible injury to operators.

Yamaha has received reports of weld problems with the mounting brackets. Two of these reports resulted in the ATVs losing their rear brakes. One user suffered a hairline wrist fracture.

These 1997 and 1998 model year ATVs have "350 Electric" written on both sides of the bodywork. The ATVs are either red and white, or gray and blue. The recalled ATVs have the following names and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The VINs are stamped into the vehicle frames between the front and rear wheels.

Model Year / Name VIN Range
1997 Warrior all
1998 Warrior JY43GDW09WA199820 to JY43GDW00WA207657
1998 Warrior JY4AH01Y9WA000002 to JY4AH01Y5WA000241

Yamaha dealers sold these ATVs nationwide from August 1996 through December 1997 for about $5,000.

Consumers should stop using these ATVs immediately and call their local Yamaha ATV dealer to schedule a free appointment to have their units inspected, and repaired if needed. To locate a dealer or for more information, consumers should call (800) 88-YAMAHA anytime or visit the firm's web site at http://www.yamaha-motor.com/

Notification is being sent to registered owners of these vehicles directly by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

 

Good post 720 and I agree, what about the Raptor? It's long over due.....

 

I filed my complaint and story with the CPSC. Recently, I called them (Mark Ross 301-504-0580 x1188) as mentioned in another post. He was very tight with his information but it was clear that something would be done. I think that they still need a few more people, especially those who have been injured, to call in and file a complaint.

When you go out and purchase a new ATV for $7 grand from a Company that represents the machine as the king of all kings, showing photos of it racing on trails and in the sand, providing specs like biggest engine ever, "race spec YZ trans," and so on, you would not expect the transmission to blow. Nor would you expect the Company to claim that they never heard of the problem. The fact that they sent out a service bulletin showing the dealers how to make it appear that the trans was "rider error" is just too much to swallow. To say I am mad as Hell is an understatement. Like their Raptor80 converted from old stock "sale proof" Badgers, all Yamaha did was take an engine that started life as a 20 horsepower air cooled 500cc and made it bigger without improving the transmission.

I hate to throw away 100's of hours of R&D on the Raptor but I am seriously considering the "P" word as a replacement for the Raptor.

 

WOW, the "P" word? Say it ain't true!

Anyway, I agree about Yamaha's lack of support. They will see my and alot of others lack of support when we all are rady for a new quad. They think they don't need me, well.....what about the other zillion Rap owners who have been bent over and well you know. IT HURTS, to say the least. I would really have to think long and hard before buying another Yamaha and I will make this very clear, "IT WILL NEVER BE A FIRST YEAR ANYTHING FROM YAMAHA, EVER".

Thanks for the great info 720.
Oh, and by the way, the 727 is coming along in her moment of breakin. She pulls very well for the little I have ridden it. Keeping the R's down and tryin to get through a proper break-in. Thanks for "your help" with the build of this motor!

 

Gee, I posted this recall notice on the 27th and got no response,didn't anyone believe me??? But back to the subject,if this recall is over 2 injuries,why not recall the Raptor after the hundreds of complaints I have seen and heard,let alone the injuries from tranny lock up throwing you off the quad??? Also note the years,97 and 98,will it be 2007 before Yamaha recalls the 01 Raptors? And I totally agree with not buying the first year models from Yamaha,I had a slew of problems with my Wolverine right off the bat,mostly carb related,and what did they do? the 96 had a totally different set up,parking brake rev limiter,but no mention of retrofitting the 95 ever came up. Don't get me wrong,it took a while, but I got my problems ironed out,and have loved my quad all these years,otherwise I wouldn't have put the money into the rebuild and mods I have now. But to see Yamaha hide behind "improved models"trying to hide obvious defects time after time with different models makes me think twice before making my next purchase.

 

Interesting about the welds on the Warrior. We had a 98 Blaster. Now this bike saw lots of BIG AIR, so I don't blame Yamaha entirely (ok), but on the swingarm there were hairline cracks EVERYWHERE THERE WAS A WELD. Like somebody had the torch set to hot or something???? Interestingly, the 300EX got the same treatment (by an even heavier rider) and is still just fine.

 

The CPSC is very good about getting to the bottom of faulty equipment. They recalled 3 years of Kawy's because the belt would break and lock the wheels up. I don't own a Raptor, but if you do and have had the tranny problem go to the CPSC site and make a complaint. I promise you that they can MAKE yamaha recall these quads and have the trannies repaired or repay you for repairs you had to make. They just need enough enough people to take action.

 

Hey, That affects my Bike! I had already heard about it and looked it over real well. Nothing cracked that I can see but will take it to the pro's. Might even get a new carrier out of it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for the post. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]