CPSC, Polaris Announce Recall of SnowmobilesNovember 13, 1997
Release # 98-026
Company Phone Number: (800) POLARIS
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 20,670 snowmobiles to replace their steering pitman arms, which are part of the steering mechanism.
The snowmobile's steering pitman arm can crack in the weld area, and consumers can lose control of the snowmobile and crash.
Polaris has received 21 reports of steering pitman arms cracking and in some instances, consumers have lost control of the snowmobiles. No injuries have been reported.
The following snowmobiles are involved in this recall:
| Model Year and Name | Model Number |
| 1997 440 XC | 0971760 |
| 1997 XCF | 0971643 |
| 1997 600 XC | 0971776 and E971776 |
| 1997 600 XCR | 0975677 and E975677 |
1997 600 XCR SE | H975677 |
| 1997 700 SKS | 097566 and E970566 |
| 1997 700 RMK | 0970966 |
| 1997 Ultra SP | 0970678 |
| 1997 Ultra SPX | 0975678 and E975678 |
| 1997 Ultra SPX SE | H975678 |
| 1998 600 RMK | 0970958 |
| 1998 XLT SP | 0985776 |
| 1998 600 XCR | 0975677 |
| 1998 700 RMK | 0970966 |
1998 700 XCR | 0975678 |
Polaris previously has sent direct mail notification of this recall to dealers and registered owners.
The model number is on the identification plate on the right side of the snowmobile's tunnel, close to where the operator's ankle would be if seated on the snowmobile.
Polaris dealers nationwide sold the snowmobiles from March 1996 through October 1997 for between $6,200 and $7,700, depending on the model.
Consumers should stop using these snowmobiles immediately and contact their Polaris dealer to have the steering pitman arm replaced for free. For the location of the nearest Polaris dealer, consumers should call (800) POLARIS between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. EST Monday through Friday.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission,
www.cpsc.gov.
This alert available at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml98/98026.html