The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Suzuki QuadSport ATVs

Units: About 1,355

Distributors: American Suzuki Motor Corp., of Brea, California; Montgomery Motors, Ltd., of Honolulu, Hawaii; Suzuki del Caribe Inc., of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Hazard: The flame arrester screen can become detached from its mounting ring, preventing the throttle valve from returning to the idle position when the throttle lever is released and causing the rider to lose control of the ATV. This poses a serious hazard of injury or death.

Incidents/Injuries: American Suzuki has received two reports of flame arrester screens detaching from the mounting ring. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves all Suzuki 2009 model year LT-Z400K9 (QuadSport Z400) and LT-Z400ZK9 (QuadSport Z400 Special Edition) ATVs. “QuadSport Z400″ or “QuadSport Z400Z” is written on the sides and left front fender of the ATV. “Suzuki” is written on the sides of the ATV.

Sold at: Suzuki ATV dealers nationwide from September 2008 through June 2010 for between $6,500 and $6,700.

Manufactured in: Japan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these vehicles immediately and contact a local Suzuki ATV dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair. Consumers with recalled ATVs are being sent a notice directly from Suzuki.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can contact Suzuki at (800) 444-5077 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.suzukicycles.com

CPSC data indicates that ATV-related deaths jump on average 30 percent from March to April for children younger than 16 years of age. Adult deaths increase 88 percent on average for the same timeframe. During 2003-2005, ATV-related deaths rose each month during the spring and into the summer, peaking in July, when 23 children and 76 adults were killed in ATV-related incidents on average.

“If springtime deaths and injuries are an indication of what’s to come, we urge all ATV riders, young and old, to take all necessary safety precautions,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Far too many people are losing their lives and sustaining life-threatening injuries, which in many cases are preventable. CPSC is working diligently to ensure that the ATVs on the market meet mandatory standards and to promote safe riding practices.”

In April 2009, as a part of the requirements for a CPSC approved action plan for ATV manufacturers and distributors, it became mandatory for these companies to offer free, hands-on training through their dealers to first-time purchasers and age appropriate members of their immediate families within a reasonable time from purchase.

Moreover, as another element of approving ATV action plans CPSC requires companies to also offer first-time purchasers an incentive valued at $100 for taking the hands-on training offered by the ATV Safety Institute (ASI). ASI also offers online training for experienced ATV riders.

Many ATV-related deaths and injuries are preventable. CPSC encourages all ATV riders, young and old, to make this riding season safer by following the basic rules of the trail:

• Take a hands-on safety training course
• Always wear protective gear – especially a helmet – when riding ATVs
• Do not ride or drive a single-rider ATV with a passenger or ride as a passenger
• Do not drive ATVs on paved roads
• Do not permit children younger than 16 to drive or ride adult ATVs. Always choose an age-appropriate ATV for your child

Recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), also known as side-by-sides, have grown in popularity in recent years, and CPSC wants riders and passengers to know that they are different from ATVs. Unlike ATVs, ROVs have a steering wheel, bench or bucket seats, seatbelts, foot controls and a roll cage. They, too, are associated with a number of fatalities and injuries every year.

Keep safety first when using both off road vehicle types. To learn more, visit ATVSafety.gov. 

Police said that Mark E. Lafoon Jr., 18, of the 13200 Block of Balta Terrace, was traveling on Beach Road when he struck a deer and lost control of his 2003 Suzuki all terrain vehicle. Lafoon and his passenger were thrown from the vehicle as it overturned. Lafoon was transported to St. Francis Hospital where he died from his injuries. His passenger, an adult, was transported to the VCU Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

via County of Chesterfield, VA

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says all Rhino 450 and 660 model vehicles need to be repaired to prevent the accidents that resulted in 46 deaths since the units were distributed in fall 2003.

More than two-thirds of the incidents were rollovers. Many also involved riders not wearing seat belts. The repairs are designed to reduce the risk of rolling over, as well as improve handling and keep riders’ limbs inside the vehicles.