Murrieta, Calif. – Dec. 22, 2016 – KTM North America has issued a safety recall for several motorcycle models that have experienced brake line problems that could lead to sudden failure.

The Defect

KTM will recall model year 2015-2016 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles manufactured between Dec. 1, 2014 and March 10, 2016, and model year 2013-2016 1190 Adventure and Adventure R motorcycles manufactured between Nov. 20, 2012 and April 25, 2016. According to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vehicles affected have frayed wiring harnesses that allows brake lines to form electrical connections between ABS modulators and the vehicle ground. If these connections are maintained, the brake lines can overheat and melt, losing effectiveness.

Timeline of Events

• June 2016: A customer service claim came through Germany that indicated a problem with motorcycle brake lines. Further investigation revealed that this was a rare defect, but one that could pose a serious problem under a specific set of circumstances.
• December 2016: Following a lengthy investigation, KTM determined that a recall was in order.

Resolution

KTM North America will notify all registered motorcycle owners about their potential for being affected. Owners are advised to avoid operating their vehicles until they have been repaired, as the functionality of the brake lines will not be guaranteed until then.

Dealers will have to inspect and reposition all brake lines and harnesses on motorcycles in their inventories before any future deliveries will be allowed to go out. In addition, KTM will keep the federal government updated on the progress of the recall.

Dec. 21, 2016 – Wyoming, Minn. – The potential for sudden fuel leakage has caused Indian Motorcycle Company to recall several models of its motorcycles, according to new documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Defect

Indian Motorcycle will recall the model year 2014-2017 Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Vintage, Chieftain, Chieftain Dark Horse, Springfield and Roadmaster motorcycles manufactured between April 15, 2013 and July 15, 2016. The manufacturer explained that fuel rail tubes are flexible enough to be inadvertently positioned. In the event that a fuel rail comes in contact with other components, there is a chance that it will rupture, resulting in a fuel leak. This, in turn, could cause a fire.

Timeline of Events

Indian Motorcycle’s parent company, Polaris Industries, discovered the defect after related warranty requests began to pile up. First, the company called for a “root cause analysis” of the failures, according to NHTSA documents. It then began to evaluate the components and concluded that fuel rails may exhibit signs of moisture or chafing at the point of eventual failure. The company then decided to conduct a safety recall.

The manufacturer does not believe that any accidents, injuries or deaths have been linked to this defect thus far.

Resolution 

Indian Motorcycles will notify all owners of the issue and will fix it free of charge. The manufacturer will install a remedy bracket to prevent fuel rails from moving, and will also design future fuel rails with tighter joint tolerances. This will give the fuel rails additional clearance among other components and prevent contact.

Ocala, Fla. – Dec. 16, 2016 – E-One Inc. is announcing the recall of certain tandem axle Cyclone fire trucks due to problems with their suspension air bags, which could reduce vehicle stability.

The Defect

E-One will recall Cyclone vehicles from model years 2010-2016 manufactured between July 15, 2010 and June 12, 2016, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These vehicles have FIREMAAX suspension and aerial jack legs, which are meant to hold them steady when the vehicles are parked and ladders are extended. However, the suspension air bags may lose pressure, resulting in damage and eventual failure. This could mean loss of vehicle stability and an increased risk of crashes.

Timeline of Events

• During a recent training event, E-One received an email regarding failed FIREMAAX air bags.
• E-One investigated the failure and determined that the cause was a rapid jack retraction on depressurized air bags that occurred when wheels were removed from the ground for an extended period of time – such as when vehicle ladders were in use. Further investigation revealed that this was not a universal problem. In fact, E-One found that only tandem axle FIREMAAX suspension lost pressure.
• E-One determined that the affected vehicles ought to be recalled Nov. 10, 2016.

Resolution

Departments that own vehicles that are part of this recall should contact E-One for further instructions. Trucks that have the relevant components should be taken to the nearest dealership, where they will received pressure protection valves on their height control valves. This will prevent the air bags from slowly depressurizing when deployed. The work will be done at no cost to owners.