Polaris Recalls RZR Off-Road Vehicles for Fire Hazard

Polaris Industries, Inc., in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), issued a voluntary recall of certain RZR Pro XP 4 off-road vehicles due to a potential fuel leak at the fuel pump assembly joint. The fuel leak poses a fire hazard due to its proximity to a hot surface. The December 1, 2022 recall is the second in as many weeks for Medina, Minnesota-based Polaris Industries, which recently recalled 138K snowmobiles due to an exploding gas tank defect.  

According to CPSC, the December 1st recall of RZR Pro XP 4 Premium, Sport, and Ultimate UTVs was issued after Polaris received five fuel leak reports, including one report of fire. No injuries have been reported thus far.

The recall affects 600 RZR off-road vehicles that were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide between March 2021 and August 2022, as well as approximately 7 vehicles that were sold in Canada. Consumers are instructed to enter their vehicle’s VIN number on the Polaris website to determine if their specific RZR Pro XP 4 unit has been recalled. Identifying features of the recalled units include the following:

• Model year 2021 - 2022 RZR Pro XP 4 Premium, Sport, and Ultimate UTVs

• POLARIS is printed on the front grille of the affected vehicles

• POLARIS and RZR are printed on the sides of the vehicles

• Model name is printed on the side of the chassis

• VIN number located on the vehicle’s frame, in the left rear wheel well

• Recalled vehicles feature a four-seat configuration (known as a side-by-side)

• Vehicle colors include: black, white, orange, green, and graphite

Was Your Polaris RZR Pro XP 4 Recalled? Here’s What to Do:

Repairing Your Recalled Polaris RZR Pro XP 4 Off-Road Vehicle

According to CPSC, consumers should stop riding in the affected vehicles and contact Polaris Industries or a certified Polaris dealer to schedule a free repair, which involves replacing the fuel tank assembly.

It is important to repair defective vehicle parts as quickly as possible, in order to prevent deterioration of the defective components. If you believe your Polaris off-road vehicle has been affected by the recall, follow these steps to arrange a FREE repair:

• Determine if your vehicle has been affected by calling Polaris Industries, Inc.
  ⁠(800) 765-2747 ⧫  7a.m. to 7p.m. CT ⧫ Mon - Fri

• Use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to confirm if your vehicle has been recalled https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road-recalls/ 

• Contact your local Polaris dealer to arrange for a FREE repair

• Cease operating your recalled Polaris RZR Pro XP 4 off-road vehicle

If You Are Involved in an Accident or Injured Due to the Defect

If you are involved in an off-road vehicle accident, whether the accident occurs as a result of a product defect or a collision, you may be injured, upset, and disoriented. Any one of these normal responses can make it difficult to think clearly and handle the situation calmly. In the immediate aftermath of an off-road vehicle accident, fuel leak, or fire, follow these general steps:

• Call 911 to report the accident

• Don’t move an injured person unless necessary; wait for emergency services to arrive

• Obtain a police report and keep a copy for your records

• Photograph accident injuries, as safety permits

• Photograph property damage for documentation purposes

• Do not admit fault before speaking with a personal injury lawyer

• Seek medical care as soon as possible, whether or not your injuries seem sever

• Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible

Who Is to Blame When Consumers Are Injured by Defective Products?

A quick glance at CPSC’s product recalls web page reveals this shocking truth: just because a consumer product is available for purchase does not mean it is inherently safe. While consumer products are supposed to meet minimum safety standards to be sold in the United States, many products do not. Product defects, some of which can lead to serious injury or death, are often not revealed until after a product has gone to market. Product defects are commonly the result of:

• Design flaw

• Manufacturing defects

• Individual component defects

• Hazardous materials (such as lead-containing paint)

• Lack of proper safety testing

• Improper labeling or instructions

In the United States, any entity who participates in delivering a defective product into the hands of consumers can be held liable, regardless of whether they ever had physical possession of the product. At-fault parties often include product designers, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers. In some states such as California, injury victims do not need to prove negligence to pursue a product liability lawsuit. Instead, plaintiffs are required to prove the following:

1. The product was unreasonably dangerous

2. The plaintiff sustained injury

3. The injury was caused by the defective product

If you have been negatively impacted by a defective product, you deserve to be fairly compensated for your damages — including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, diminished earning capacity, as well as property damage. A seasoned product liability lawyer can evaluate your individual case and guide you through the process of filing a product liability claim against the responsible parties.

CZ Law: The Firm Choice for Your Product Liability Claim

At Carpenter & Zuckerman, our accomplished trial lawyers have been litigating and winning for victims injured by defective products since 1995. Our firm was founded on the belief that injured victims deserve justice – far more than insurance companies and corporations deserve fat profits. With a laser-focused determination to fight on behalf of the injured, CZ Law has secured over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients. 

CZ Law is versed in litigating a range of product liability lawsuits including defective consumer products, medical products, automobiles, and more. Los Angeles Times featured CZ Law Partner John P. Kristensen for his success in securing a record-breaking $16,000,000 NHTSA fine against Toyota Motor Corporation in connection with its steering relay rod recall scandal.

Based in Los Angeles, Carpenter & Zuckerman maintains offices in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Orange County, Bakersfield, San Diego, and Seattle. We proudly serve clients throughout California and Washington with all of their personal injury law needs. 

If you have been negatively impacted by a recalled Polaris RZR Pro XP 4 or other defective product, you deserve justice! Contact CZ Law today at (877) 870-2153 or fill out our for a FREE consultation.