By Nuttall Brown & Coutts
Why do side-by-sides and ATVs catch fire?
Off-road vehicles carry fuel, oil and very hot exhaust parts close to plastic panels and riders. A fire can start when heat, fuel or oil and something that burns come together. The CPSC recalls on this site describe several ways that can happen.
- Exhaust parts can overheat, and nearby heat shields or plastic can melt or burn (CPSC 18-742 (opens in new tab), CPSC 17-112 (opens in new tab)).
- Debris can ignite on hot exhaust parts (CPSC 20-727 (opens in new tab)).
- Oil can leak onto hot parts (CPSC 20-727 (opens in new tab)).
- An engine can overheat, or a turbo drain tube can loosen (CPSC 16-257 (opens in new tab)).
- A clutch can fracture and eject fragments (CPSC 23-780 (opens in new tab)).
These are general examples from CPSC notices. They do not show what caused any particular fire, which usually takes an expert inspection.
What has CPSC reported about side-by-side fires?
These recalls were announced by CPSC. The quotes come directly from each notice.
| Recall | What CPSC said (quoted) |
|---|---|
| CPSC recall 16-146 April 19, 2016 Read the CPSC notice (opens in new tab) | Vehicles: “about 133,000 Polaris Model Year 2013-2016 RZR 900 and RZR 1000 recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs)” Hazard: “The recalled ROVs can catch fire while consumers are driving, posing fire and burn hazards to drivers and passengers.” Reports: “Polaris has received more than 160 reports of fires with the recalled RZR ROVs, resulting in one death of a 15 year old passenger from a rollover that resulted in a fire and 19 reports of injuries, including first, second and third degree burns.” |
| CPSC recall 16-257 September 1, 2016 Read the CPSC notice (opens in new tab) | Vehicles: “all model year 2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo and RZR XP 4 Turbo” · “About 13,000 (including the 2, 230 [sic] vehicles previously recalled on December 2015.)” Hazard: “The vehicles' engine can overheat and turbo system’s drain tube can loosen, posing a fire hazard.” Reports: “Polaris has received 19 reports of the ROVs catching on fire, resulting in six reports of burn injuries. One of the reported fires occurred in Utah's American Fork Canyon, which led to a young child suffering severe burns and 15 acres of forest land being destroyed.” |
| CPSC recall 18-742 May 15, 2018 Read the CPSC notice (opens in new tab) | Vehicles: “all model year 2016 through 2017, and some model year 2018 Honda Pioneer 1000 Vehicles” · “About 65,000” Hazard: “The muffler can overheat, causing the plastic heat shield to melt or catch fire, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.” Reports: “The firm has received 22 reports of the muffler plastic heat shield melting and three reports of muffler plastic heat shield fires. No injuries have been reported.” |
| CPSC recall 20-727 March 19, 2020 Read the CPSC notice (opens in new tab) | Vehicles: “model year 2015 through 2020 MULE PRO-FX™, MULE PRO-FXR™ and MULE PRO-FXT™ off-highway utility vehicles” · “About 72,000” Hazard: “Debris can ignite on the vehicle’s exhaust manifold; and frozen water can block the breather hose allowing oil to leak, posing a fire hazard.” Reports: “Kawasaki has received 165 reports of oil leakage and 84 reports of vehicles catching on fire, resulting in three injuries, including one report of a burn to the user’s foot, one report of a burn to the user’s arm, hand and buttocks and one incident of smoke inhalation.” |
| CPSC recall 23-780 August 10, 2023 Read the CPSC notice (opens in new tab) | Vehicles: “all model year 2021 RZR XP Turbo and RZR Turbo S vehicles” · “About 27,300 (In addition, about 660 were sold in Canada) (Some of these vehicles were previously recalled in November 2020 and in December 2021)” Hazard: “The vehicle’s clutch can fracture, causing fragments to be ejected from the vehicle, posing fire and injury hazards.” Reports: “The firm has received 206 reports of clutch failures, including reports of six fires, two injuries, and one vehicle tip-over.” |
A recall does not mean any one vehicle caused a fire. Some recalled vehicles may already have been repaired. Each CPSC notice describes the remedy and how to check a vehicle.
In recall 18-742, CPSC reported: “No injuries have been reported.”
See also all CPSC recalls on this site and the 2018 civil penalty.
Questions after an off-road fire?
Burned in an ATV or side-by-side fire, or caring for someone who was? Tell us what happened and we will review it for free. You decide what happens next.