Safety Warning Notice on Polaris Youth Quad Bikes

The Minister for Small Business, the Honourable Michael McCormack, has published a Safety Warning Notice on certain models of Polaris youth quad bikes supplied into Australia between 2000 and 2017.

On 19 June 2017, Polaris Sales Australia Pty Ltd (Polaris) notified a voluntary product recall for some models of Polaris youth quad bikes and certain parts for those bikes sold after 31 December 2003 (see PRA 2017/16150).

The safety warning notice  warns there is a possible risk of injury to users and particularly repairers resulting from inhaling asbestos fibres that may be released from the recalled quad bikes and components, particularly if consumers perform any maintenance, repairs or modifications on these quad bikes or handle quad bike parts that may contain asbestos.

The safety warning notice  states that the ACCC is investigating whether asbestos is present in the same goods supplied by Polaris from 2000 until 31 December 2003 (prior to the recall period), and if the same goods will or may cause injury to any person.

The particulars of goods that are subject to investigation by the ACCC are:

Brake shoes of Polaris youth quad bikes and front and rear brake shoe replacement parts of models Scrambler 50, Scrambler 90, Sportsman 90 supplied in Australia from 2000 until 31 December 2003 and the Predator 90 model supplied from 2002 until 31 December 2003.

Advice to consumers

1. Do not perform any maintenance or repairs on all affected quad bikes that involves contact with or disturbing any potentially affected components, namely brake pads and shoes, gaskets and heat shield washers.
2. Ensure that any maintenance or repairs on the affected parts of these quad bikes is undertaken by professional mechanics at an authorised Polaris dealership.
3. Products supplied from 31 December 2003 are subject to a voluntary recall by Polaris.   These affected products should only be taken to a Polaris dealership, and repaired by qualified personnel using appropriate safety procedures. Any materials containing asbestos must be disposed of at licensed facilities.
4. The ACCC is investigating whether asbestos is present in Polaris youth quad bikes and parts supplied in Australia between 2000 and 2003.