WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Honda is expanding its recall of FourTrax ATVs due to a crash hazard. The recall affects about 19,500 units, including about 2,900 that were recalled in February for the same reason.
A weld on the ATVs’ front right and left upper suspension arms can separate, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Honda is aware of 10 incidents of suspension arm weld failures, including one in which a rider suffered a sprained wrist.
The recalled vehicles are two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive 2012 Honda FourTrax Rancher ATV TRX420 FA, FE, FM, FPA, FPE, FPM, TE and TM models. Rancher models in the following VIN ranges are being recalled (“*” denotes a random alphanumeric identifier, zero to 9 or “X”):
| Model | VIN Ranges |
| TRX420FA | 1HFTE370*C4300541 thru C4301380 |
| TRX420FA Camo | 1HFTE374*C4300121 thru C4300240 |
| TRX420FE | 1HFTE354*C4501741 thru C4504380 |
| TRX420FE Camo | 1HFTE357*C4500301 thru C4500720 |
| TRX420FM | 1HFTE350*C4502342 thru C4506061 |
| TRX420FM Camo | 1HFTE359*C4500317 thru C4500840 |
| TRX420FPA | 1HFTE372*C4300482 thru C4302461 |
| TRX420FPA Camo | 1HFTE375*C4300061 thru C4300420 |
| TRX420FPE | 1HFTE35K*C4501202 thru C4502881 |
| TRX420FPE Camo | 1HFTE35M*C4500241 thru C4500360 |
| TRX420FPM | 1HFTE35F*C4501441 thru C4502760 |
| TRX420FPM Camo | 1HFTE35H*C4500301 thru C4500420 |
| TRX420TE | 1HFTE344* C4500841 thru C4504020 |
| TRX420TM | 1HFTE340* C4500542 thru C4503001 |
The model number is visible on the right front frame down pipe above the driver’s right-hand side front wheel. The VIN is located on the top center front of the frame and is visible looking down between the bars of the gear rack and through the middle opening of the front fairing.
Consumers reportedly are instructed to immediately stop using these ATVs and contact their Honda ATV dealer to schedule a free repair. American Honda is contacting its customers directly.
Posted by Arlo Redwine
