ARCTIC CAT RECALLS SNOWMOBILES DUE TO FIRE HAZARD

ARCTIC CAT RECALLS SNOWMOBILES DUE TO FIRE HAZARD

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20207
April 25, 2006

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.

Name of product : Arctic Cat Snowmobiles

Units : About 52,000

Manufacturer : Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn.

Hazard : The recalled snowmobiles fuel tank could crack and leak, allowing fuel or fuel vapors to escape, posing a fire and burn hazard.

Incidents/Injuries : Arctic Cat has received 217 warranty claims related to two issues surrounding possible fuel leakage from fuel tanks including a crack in the fuel filler neck and leaks at the fuel outlet fitting. No injuries have been reported.

Description : The recalled fuel tanks were installed on all 2004, 2005 and 2006 Firecat and Sabercat models. The recall also includes all 2003 Firecat carbureted models. The affected models were manufactured in a variety of colors and engine sizes, however, all are included in this recall.

Sold at : Arctic Cat dealerships nationwide from May 2002 through April 2006 for between $6,500 and $8,500.

Manufactured in : United States

Remedy : Consumers should stop using these snowmobiles immediately unless instructed otherwise. Registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail. If consumers are unsure if their snowmobile is affected, they should call Arctic Cat. Consumers should have the model name and model number available. The model name and model number are displayed on the registration materials you received when you purchased your snowmobile and on your operator’s manual. Consumers with a recalled snowmobile should contact their local Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact : For additional information, contact Arctic Cat at (800) 279-6851 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or go to the firm’s Website at www.arcticcat.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products — such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals � contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.