| Components - Details | |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Complaint Number: 003255823 | Incident Date: Dec, 06 2003 |
| Consumer's City: TITUSVILLE | Consumer's State: FL |
| Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO | Manufacturers Name: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. |
| Model Name: KAWASAKI | Model Year: 2002 |
| Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No | Component's Description: Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly |
| Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No | Persons Injured: 0 |
| Vehicle's VIN#: JKAVFEA122B | Date added to File: May, 25 2021 |
| Date Complaint Received: Jan, 19 2004 | Complaint Type: IVOQ |
| Incident Reported To Police: No | Purchase Date: Dec, 11 2002 |
| Was Original Owner: Yes | Anti-lock Brakes: No |
| Number of Cylinders: 0 | Date of Manufacturer: - |
| Was Vehicle Towed: - | Description of the Complaints: On 12/7/03 my wife was riding her 2002 650 kawasaki prairie. we were riding with friends so verification of the circumstances surrounding this complaint is available if necessary. her machine experienced what could be a life threatining failure. the tie rod end came out of the adjustment bar. the threads were not stipped, the bar was intack, the bar had apparently streched out due to substandard materials or poor workmanship. there was no type of warning there was a problem with the tie rod end. difficult terrain or unsafe speed could have caused another fatal statistic. my wife was on a wide trail at a low rate of speed when the failure occured. i reported this problem to champion honda in cocoa florida when i purchased the replacement parts but, i do not think they relayed the situation to kawasaki who i am sure would be interested to identify if this was an isolated case or widespread occurance which could result in recall or class action lawsuit. a friend has since experienced tie rod end failure on his 2002 650 prairie. he is an experienced rider and was not injured although the same potential was present. i have a copy of the invoice replacing said parts which were purchased at action honda in cocoa, florida. an inexperienced rider traveling at a high rate of speed or on difficult terrain would have been seriously injured. could some of these atv injuries be due to things other than driver error? i have since have had numerous mechanical problems with this particular atv. champion honda is aware of the situation but is not interested. they have been very uncooperative in solving any problems related to kawasaki atv's. i did not have them repair them problem as the warranty was expired and i am a professional mechanic by trade. i purchased the replacement parts from them and advised them of the circumstances relating to my purchase of replacement parts and the possibility said failure could result in death. all they did was take my money. *ak |
