Yamaha Motor Corporation has recalled 7,800 of its Rhino side by side vehicles due to the risk of brake fluid leakage which may cause a loss of braking and control of the vehicle. Although this is the first recall of Yamaha’s Rhino, the vehicle has been a source of controversy since it went on the market in 2003.

Details of the recall

Yamaha, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recalled approximately 7,800 of the following vehicles:

• 2008 Yamaha Rhino 450 (Model numbers YXR45FX, YXR45FHX & YXR45FSPX
• 2008 Yamaha Rhino YXR700 (Model numbers YXR70FX, YXR70FDUX, YXR70FHX, YXR70FSEPX/FSP2X & YXR70FSPX

For a listing of the vehicles’ identification numbers, see the CPSC’s recall alert at www.cpsc.gov/.

Both are known as side-by-side vehicles and were manufactured by Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America in Newman, Georgia. The vehicles were distributed nationwide from October 2007 to March 2008.

According to the CPSC, the vehicles’ brake caliper on the left front wheel could have been made incorrectly, resulting in brake fluid leaking. This can cause a loss of braking and control of the vehicle, posing a serious safety risk to the driver and passenger. The alert advises consumers to stop using the vehicles immediately and contact an authorized Yamaha Rhino dealer to fix the problem free of charge.

Experts say recall doesn’t address source of continuing injuries

Industry experts say that Yamaha’s recall doesn’t address the safety and design defect issues of older Rhinos that continue to cause severe injuries and death. Cole Portis, an Alabama attorney whose firm represents those who have been injured by the Yamaha Rhino, explained:

There are basically two defects with the [older] Rhinos. The first is that it is prone to rollover because the wheel-base is very narrow and the vehicle is also very high. Therefore, because of the high center of gravity at low speeds, less than 10 miles per hour, the vehicle is prone to rollover. The second is that the [older] Rhino doesn’t have any type of barrier to prevent someone’s arms, legs, ankles or feet from being crushed after it tips or rolls over.

If you’ve been injured due to the Yamaha Rhino, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in this area of the law. Consultations with a qualified attorney are strictly confidential and without charge or obligation. To contact an attorney about your situation, please click here. We may be able to help.