Yamaha Recalls Some 2007s

Due to a steering defect, Yamaha Motor Corp. on has issued a recall of the 2007 PZ50 model snowmobiles in North America.

The recall affects about 5,700 sleds, including PZ50W Phazer, PZ50FXW Phazer FX, PZ50GTW Phazer GT, PZ50MW Phazer Mountain Lite, and PZ50VTW Venture Lite model snowmobiles. The sleds, which were made in Japan, were sold by Yamaha dealers between June 2006 and September 2007.

The issue is with the clevis pins, which keep the steering idler arm nuts in place. The clevis pins could dislodge, which could cause the idler arm nuts to become loose.

According to Yamaha, if both nuts fall off, steering components could come apart, resulting in loss of steering control, which poses a risk of injury and death to drivers and passengers.

Consumers can contact an authorized Yamaha snowmobile dealer in their area to schedule a free repair.

Scott Harrison, manager of consumer relations for Yamaha Motor Canada, told Snowmobile.com that the problem is very simple to fix.

Effected snowmobiles must have the steering idler arm bolts, nuts and collars replaced. The bolts need to be tightened to a new torque specification and the clevis-type pins will be replaced with cotter pins.

No injuries have been reported due to the steering defect.

Yamaha has also issued a quality assurance update bulletin that lists several other procedures that should be followed. These are not recalls or mandatory changes, but recommendations from the manufacturer.

Yamaha issued the bulletin in hopes that dealers and customers can complete both fixes at the same time. Customers can contact their dealer for full details.