E970566

Snowmobiles Recalled by Polaris NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 13, 1997 Release # 98-026 Company Phone Number: (800) POLARIS CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052 CPSC, Polaris Announce Recall of Snowmobiles WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 20,670 snowmobiles to replace their steering pitman arms, which are part of the steering mechanism. The snowmobile's steering pitman arm can crack in the weld area, and consumers can lose control of the snowmobile and crash. Polaris has received 21 reports of steering pitman arms cracking and in some instances, consumers have lost control of the snowmobiles. No injuries have been reported. The following snowmobiles are involved in this recall: Model Year and Name Model Number 1997 440 XC 0971760 1997 XCF 0971643 1997 600 XC 0971776 and E971776 1997 600 XCR 0975677 and E975677 1997 600 XCR SE H975677 1997 700 SKS 097566 and E970566 1997 700 RMK 0970966 1997 Ultra SP 0970678 1997 Ultra SPX 0975678 and E975678 1997 Ultra SPX SE H975678 1998 600 RMK 0970958 1998 XLT SP 0985776 1998 600 XCR 0975677 1998 700 RMK 0970966 1998 700 XCR 0975678 Polaris previously has sent direct mail notification of this recall to dealers and registered owners. The model number is on the identification plate on the right side of the snowmobile's tunnel, close to where the operator's ankle would be if seated on the snowmobile. Polaris dealers nationwide sold the snowmobiles from March 1996 through October 1997 for between $6,200 and $7,700, depending on the model. Consumers should stop using these snowmobiles immediately and contact their Polaris dealer to have the steering pitman arm replaced for free. For the location of the nearest Polaris dealer, consumers should call (800) POLARIS between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. EST Monday through Friday.