Bush Hog Off-Road Utility Vehicles (UTV) are being recalled because of a defect that could pose a risk of injury to drivers and passengers. The Bush Hog UTV recall comes just weeks after Yamaha Motor Corp. USA issued a massive recall for dangerous Rhino UTVs.
The Bush Hog UTV recall involves about 850 units. The recall includes the Bush Hog Models TH4400 (Trail Hand) and 4430 4X4 Off-Road Utility Vehicles. “Bush Hog” is printed on the utility vehicle’s cargo bed tail gate and on each side of the cargo bed. Model “TH4400”or “4430” is printed on each side of the hood. The hood color is red, green, or mossy oak. The recalled Bush Hog UTVs were sold at Bush Hog dealerships nationwide from April 2008 to December 2008 for between $8,000 and $10,000.
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the UTV’s throttle cable can lock in freezing temperatures. This can cause the engine not to return to idle when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator pedal, posing a risk of loss of vehicle control and injury to the driver and passenger.
Bush Hog has received one report of an incident involving a frozen throttle cable on a utility vehicle. No injuries have been reported, the CPSC said.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled off-road UTVs and contact a Bush Hog dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair. All registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail. Bush Hog is issuing a $50 incentive check for retail customers that bring their machines in for the throttle cable replacement.
The Bush Hog UTV is the second such vehicle recalled since March. Late last month, well over 100,000 Yamaha Rhino 450, 660 and 700 UTVs were recalled after they were linked to 46 deaths, most of which occurred as a result of rollover accidents. In the past , critics have charged that Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface.
The problems with the Yamaha Rhino have highlighted the inadequate regulation of UTVs. Another type of off-roader, all terrain vehicles (ATV) are subject to stricter rules. That’s mainly due to design differences between ATVs and UTVs – for instance, ATVs have handlebars, while UTVs like the Rhino have steering wheels. But neither are UTVs subject to the much-tougher standards for cars.
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