WARNING - CPSC Warns Meerkat 50 Youth ATVs Defective and Dangerous

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2007
Release #07-204 CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7908

CPSC Warns Meerkat 50 Youth ATVs Defective and Dangerous
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The staff of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers who own a Kazuma Meerkat 50 Youth All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that children are at risk of injury or death due to multiple safety defects with this off-road vehicle. The ATVs, which were imported by Kazuma Pacific Inc., of Stafford, Texas, were found to have several serious defects. CPSC staff has determined that the Meerkat 50 lacks front brakes, has no parking brake, is missing a neutral indicator light, and can be started in gear. Additionally, the owner’s manual does not contain complete information on safe operation and maintenance of the ATV.

CPSC staff recommends that consumers stop using the product immediately because it is unsafe. The staff recommends that consumers demand a refund of the purchase price from the importer or dealer due to the defective condition of the ATV.

The risk with these ATVs is severe because these vehicles are intended for children age 6 to 11. In many cases, youth riders are just learning how to operate an ATV and may not have the experience necessary to help them avoid hazards associated with this product’s defects.

Kazuma Pacific has refused to provide complete incident or injury information for any of their products. Therefore, CPSC has been unable to determine how many children have been injured. Between December 2006 and May 2007, Kazuma Pacific has impeded CPSC’s efforts to protect the safety of children, by refusing to implement a corrective action plan for this ATV.

Kazuma Pacific has sold at least 2,700 Meerkat 50 ATVs and has stated that they are continuing to sell the units that CPSC staff found to be defective. Kazuma dealers and Web retailers nationwide have sold this ATV since 2003 for between $525 and $825.

CPSC staff is requesting that consumers immediately report any incidents involving the Kazuma Meerkat 50 to the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or to the CPSC Web site at CPSC Home Page

For more information, please visit:
CPSC Warns Meerkat 50 Youth ATVs Defective and Dangerous

OK, just my 2 cents.

All ATV's are dangerous!!!! But what parent in there right mind would purchase one of these things knowing the THEY DON"T HAVE FRONT BRAKES!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me. What moron that designed this thing desided that it did not need brakes on the front or a parking brake!!! This just goes to show that parents buy things for their children without doing the proper research to determine if they are safe. But I bet that the 500-800 dollar price tag parents are buying them like hot cakes. People are so cheap that they do not want to pay a little more money and buy their kids ATV's that come from a respectable dealer (i.e yamaha, polaris, kawi, etc.....)

Editor: Bryan Slaughter & Greg Webb
Firm: Michie Hamlett Lowry Rasmussen and Tweel PLLC
June 18, 2007
By Bryan Slaughter


Category: Defective Products

Hopefully, when a company discovers or is warned that one of its products is dangerous and potentially deadly to its users, it will take the steps necessary to protect its customers. We would hope that a company would be especially careful regarding a product it markets and sells to children. Unfortunately, a company called Kazuma Pacific Inc. doesn't appear to be concerned that its Youth ATV might cause serious injury or death to kids.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning for owners of the Kazuma Meerkat 50 Youth All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that children are at risk of injury or death due to multiple safety defects with this off-road vehicle. The dangerous defects include a lack of front brakes, lack of a parking brake, missing neutral indicator light and that the ATV can be started in neutral. The ATV is particularly dangerous because it is marketed to children ages 6 to 11, who typically are inexperienced and just learning to ride ATV's. The CPSC has recommended that riders stop using the Meerkat 50's immediately, and demand a refund from whomever sold it to them. Incredibly, Kazuma Pacific is ignoring the CPSC, and is continuing to market and sell Meercat 50's. Kazuma also refuses to keep data regarding reported injuries, so the CPSC cannot determine how many children have been injured or killed. Kazuma Pacific has sold at least 2,700 Meerkat 50 ATVs. This is the type of behavior that can cause kids to be needlessly hurt or killed, solely because an irresponsible company wants to increase its profits.

If you would like more information on this subject matter, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Article Reference: Dangerous Youth ATV's Still Sold Despite Warning - Charlottesville Personal Injury Lawyer