Off-road vehicles recalled after hundreds of reports of panels melting

Textron recalled about 19,400 recreational off-road vehicles sold under the cool brand name Arctic Cat because the wrong parts can get too hot — a lot.

The problem with the 2014-2017 Wildcat Trails and 2015-2017 Wildcat Sport ROVs, as described in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission posted recall notice: “Heat from the exhaust can melt the plastic panels behind the operator and passenger seat, posing a fire hazard.”

And this is no idle worry.

“The firm has received 444 reports of the plastic panels melting, with five resulting in fires,” the notice admits.

So, owners of the 14,100 Wildcats sold in the United States and 5,300 sold in Canada and Mexico should call Arctic Cat at 1-800-279-6851 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, to schedule a free repair. To find Arctic Cat service technicians near you, click here.

This is Textron’s first recall since January, when 1,100 off-road vehicles that lacked seat belts got recalled after one was involved in a death.

This story was originally published October 28, 2017 at 9:58 AM with the headline "Off-road vehicles recalled after hundreds of reports of panels melting."