Pending lemon law suits against Polaris industries
Polaris Industries is one of the largest manufacturers on snowmobile as well as All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s). the company made a in the recent past has been plagued by problem in their products, forcing the management to undertake a recall for snowmobiles as well as some All Terrain Vehicles.
After a few All Terrain Vehicles were found to have defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) that overheated, endangering the rider and the vehicle itself, Polaris Industries expanded the recall in 2008. There have been cases of the ECM’s melting or catching fire, but no reports of injury. Other vehicles that have been recalled include the Ranger Utility vehicles built by the same company between 2000 and 2007. They have been found to have fuel leak fire risks.
Snow mobiles made between 2004 and 2007, also built by Polaris Industries are being recalled, apparently because the fuel tank filler can separate, which event can cause fuel or fuel vapor to leak out and potentially cause a nasty fire. Federal agents have been cautioning consumers to stop using the vehicles completely until the defects as have been pointed out have been dealt with.
Thus for all those people who own these vehicles by Polaris may have a lemon in their hands. Lemon lawyers in several states are readying themselves to take a slice of the cake from the numerous class actions expected to come out of the recall. Some cases have already been settled while others are still pending. The figures are not expected to be small, with some lawyers claiming to have settled on behalf of their clients figures as high as $3,500,000. Here are some of the affected models.
Snowmobiles
- 2004 500 Classic
- 2005 500 Classic
- 2004 Indy 340
- 2004 340 Classic
- 2004 Indy 500
- 2004 550 Classic
- 2004 Supersport
- 2004 Trail RMK
- 2005 Indy 500
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV,s)
- 2004 A04BG50AA Scrambler 500 4x4
- 2004 A04BG50FA Scrambler 500
- 2004 A04CH42AQ Sportsman 400
- 2004 A04CH42AR Sportsman 400
08 Ranger Utility vehicles.
- 2008 Polaris Ranger RZR 800 EFI
- Model R08VH76AD (red)
- Model R08VH76AG (green)
It’s not known how many cases are pending against the company. But they could be in their thousands. Meanwhile, for customer’s own safety, consumer affairs websites have been giving information to customers on safety measures on the light of the dangers now presented by the vehicles. One such website, called Consumeraffairs.com is advising customers to take the following measures for the 08 Ranger all terrain vehicles.
For this vehicle, customers are advised to disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery when the ATV is not being used. If there is a local Polaris dealer, customers could take their vehicle there in order for them to attempt repair.
Keep the documentation for every visit. Unlike in isolated cases where the manufacturer may be a bit arrogant, but in cases of recall, it’s in their own interest to fix the problem rather than have to refund the purchase price.
References
- http://ohiolemonlaw.com/safety-recall-126-polaris-fire.htm
- http://ohiolemonlaw.com/safety-recall-129-polaris-fire.htm
- http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/polaris_atv4.html