Yamaha Motor Corp. USA has been hit with two lawsuits in West Virginia over the Rhino off-road vehicle. Late last month, Yamaha recalled over 146,000 Rhinos in order to correct defects that made them susceptible to deadly rollover accidents.

While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap – rollover accidents. Critics charge that the 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. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers’ legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. (more…)

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. (more…)

In the wake of a humiliating government bailout, its CEO’s forced exit, and talk of a possible bankruptcy, General Motors Corporation is now facing a massive recall. The automotive giant just initiated a recall of nearly 1.5 million defective cars over concerns of possible engine fires, Market Watch reported. The affected cars were manufactured between 1997 and 2003 and include the following model years and makes:

* 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
* 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
* 1997-2003 Buick Regal
* 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo, and Impala (more…)

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents. The high number of accidents linked to the Rhino off-road vehicle was among the reasons U.S. regulators launched an investigation of the popular off-roader last November. That investigation culminated in the recall of more than 145,000 Rhinos announced earlier this week.

While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap – rollover accidents. They charge that the 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. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers’ legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. (more…)

Yamaha Motor Corp. faces a Canadian lawsuit over its defective Rhino off-road vehicle. Just yesterday, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled the Rhino and suspended sales after U.S. regulators found the vehicles had been responsible for at least 46 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.

While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in deadly rollovers. Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal. (more…)

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is recalling 120,000 dangerous Rhino off-road vehicles. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the defective Yamaha Rhino vehicles have been linked to 46 deaths.

Yamaha has announced a free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models. Owners of the deadly Yamaha Rhino are being warned not to use them until the repairs are made. (more…)

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) made by KTM  North America, Inc. have been recalled due to a brake failure problem.  According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), anyone with one of these recalled ATVs should stop using the vehicle immediately and contact their local KTM dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair

The KTM ATV recall involves 2700 vehicles.  According to the recall notice, the rear brake caliper support can crack and the front brake operation can experience a loss of pressure, posing a risk of the rider losing braking and steering control and suffering injuries or death.  The ATVs included in the recall are as follows: (more…)

Subaru of America is recalling 5,130 of its model years 2008-2009 Tribecas because of an improper sensor installation.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not assigned an action number to the recall, which is listed under campaign ID 08V645000 and recall number WVG-17.  The Subaru Tribeca’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) G-Sensor was improperly installed on some of the involved vehicles.

According to Edmund’s Inside Line, ithe NHTSA stated that, “If the sensor was improperly installed, vehicle handling characteristics during hard braking, sudden turns or other quick maneuvers could cause the vehicle to react in an unexpected manner or result in unstable handling.  Under extreme conditions, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, and a crash could occur.”  According to the NHTSA, the VDC G-Sensor, although designed for forward facing mounting, may have been installed backwards during production. (more…)

Chrysler is recalling 108,429 Dodge Ram Diesel Pick-Ups from model years 2007 and 2008 for fire risks, said the Auto Channel.  The defective Dodge Ram trucks are being recalled in order to correct a flaw in an engine-compartment pad that can cause a fire, according to the Post-Gazette.com.  According to the report, the recall involves Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups with a 6.7-liter diesel engine, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Chrysler said the recall will begin this month, reported the Auto Channel, adding that 14 complaints have been received of engine fires in Dodge Rams, which might be related to the flaw and recall.  Citing an official NHTSA Recall Notice, the Auto Channel provided the following recall information: (more…)

General Motors Corporation is recalling thousands of Cadillacs for an airbag problem, the company announced this week.  Meanwhile, American Honda Motor has recalled some of its off-road motorcycles because of a defect that can cause the vehicles to crash.

The General Motors recall involves 12,662 MY2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles that may have faulty passenger airbag-sensing systems.  According to an National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defect could disable the front-passenger airbag when it should be enabled, or enable it when it should be disabled.  Such an occurrence would put a passenger at risk of injury or death. (more…)