Polaris RZR, Boost, and Ranger Lawsuits: Holding Polaris Accountable for Fire Risks and Negligence

Polaris, a prominent manufacturer of ATVs and side-by-sides, recalled around 450,000
vehicles from 2008 to 2018 due to ATV fire and safety hazards linked to the ProStar
engine. Polaris marketed these vehicles as safe, but these hazards resulted in multiple
fatalities and severe burn injuries.

ProStar Engine Issues:

The ProStar engine, introduced in 2010, was manufactured in-house by Polaris to save
costs from outsourcing the production of its engines to another company. Polaris
marketing the ProStar Engine as having “maximum performance”. However, this
engine’s defective design led to safety issues, particularly with heat generation and
proximity of vital components. Reports indicate that the engine’s layout, particularly the
exhaust design, posed a significant fire risk for passengers and drivers, eventually
resulting in catastrophic incidents.

Polaris Recalls:

Polaris issued several recalls starting in 2013. Unfortunately, these recalls were vague
and incomplete. Polaris issued additional recalls in 2015, but did not include all the
necessary information, including that a 15 year-old girl had died from fire injuries related
to a Polaris RZR. Polaris expanded the recall to include a defective vent line that
needed to be fixed in all models. The “fix” however did not actually resolve the fire risk.
Polaris again expanded the recall later in 2015, 2017 and 2018. During that time several
Polaris users were injured or killed.

In 2018, customers who bought recalled Polaris vehicles brought a class action against
Polaris. The plaintiffs alleged that the ProStar engine produced more power than
competing engines, which also produced more heat. In addition, the ProStar’s exhaust
gas piping route was designed in a U-shape, towards the occupant of the vehicle.
Plaintiffs also alleged that the piping lacked proper ventilation and heat shielding,
making the hottest part of the engine right behind the occupant. This, the plaintiffs
alleged, was different than the design Polaris patented in 2008, where the exhaust pipe
exited the vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle, away from the occupant:

In April of 2018 the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reached a
settlement with Polaris for $27.25 million for failure to report defective recreational off-
road vehicles. Unfortunately, the safety concerns still exist for many Polaris vehicles.

Negligence and Safety Concerns:

Those who have brought lawsuits against Polaris allege that Polaris should have
properly tested the engine. If it had, they would have been aware of the fire risks
associated with the ProStar engine. Instead, Polaris disregarded the potential hazards,
failing to take adequate measures to protect consumers’ safety. Reports of engine fires,
melted plastic panels, and inconvenient safety harnesses compounded the dangers
faced by users of these off-road vehicles continue today.

Our Legal Representation:

Our firm, along with our co-counsel is actively filing lawsuits on behalf of those affected
by Polaris ATV rollovers, fires, or significant property damage. If you or someone you
know has been seriously injured by a Polaris vehicle with a ProStar engine, we are
committed to standing up for you. Contact us for a free consultation and assessment of
your case.

Question

Polaris RZR, Boost, and Ranger Lawsuits: Holding Polaris Accountable for Fire Risks and Negligence

Polaris, a prominent manufacturer of ATVs and side-by-sides, recalled around 450,000
vehicles from 2008 to 2018 due to ATV fire and safety hazards linked to the ProStar
engine. Polaris marketed these vehicles as safe, but these hazards resulted in multiple
fatalities and severe burn injuries.

ProStar Engine Issues:

The ProStar engine, introduced in 2010, was manufactured in-house by Polaris to save
costs from outsourcing the production of its engines to another company. Polaris
marketing the ProStar Engine as having “maximum performance”. However, this
engine’s defective design led to safety issues, particularly with heat generation and
proximity of vital components. Reports indicate that the engine’s layout, particularly the
exhaust design, posed a significant fire risk for passengers and drivers, eventually
resulting in catastrophic incidents.

Polaris Recalls:

Polaris issued several recalls starting in 2013. Unfortunately, these recalls were vague
and incomplete. Polaris issued additional recalls in 2015, but did not include all the
necessary information, including that a 15 year-old girl had died from fire injuries related
to a Polaris RZR. Polaris expanded the recall to include a defective vent line that
needed to be fixed in all models. The “fix” however did not actually resolve the fire risk.
Polaris again expanded the recall later in 2015, 2017 and 2018. During that time several
Polaris users were injured or killed.

In 2018, customers who bought recalled Polaris vehicles brought a class action against
Polaris. The plaintiffs alleged that the ProStar engine produced more power than
competing engines, which also produced more heat. In addition, the ProStar’s exhaust
gas piping route was designed in a U-shape, towards the occupant of the vehicle.
Plaintiffs also alleged that the piping lacked proper ventilation and heat shielding,
making the hottest part of the engine right behind the occupant. This, the plaintiffs
alleged, was different than the design Polaris patented in 2008, where the exhaust pipe
exited the vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle, away from the occupant:

In April of 2018 the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reached a
settlement with Polaris for $27.25 million for failure to report defective recreational off-
road vehicles. Unfortunately, the safety concerns still exist for many Polaris vehicles.

Negligence and Safety Concerns:

Those who have brought lawsuits against Polaris allege that Polaris should have
properly tested the engine. If it had, they would have been aware of the fire risks
associated with the ProStar engine. Instead, Polaris disregarded the potential hazards,
failing to take adequate measures to protect consumers’ safety. Reports of engine fires,
melted plastic panels, and inconvenient safety harnesses compounded the dangers
faced by users of these off-road vehicles continue today.

Our Legal Representation:

Our firm, along with our co-counsel is actively filing lawsuits on behalf of those affected
by Polaris ATV rollovers, fires, or significant property damage. If you or someone you
know has been seriously injured by a Polaris vehicle with a ProStar engine, we are
committed to standing up for you. Contact us for a free consultation and assessment of
your case.

Accepted Answer

Polaris RZR, Boost, and Ranger Lawsuits: Holding Polaris Accountable for Fire Risks and Negligence

Polaris, a prominent manufacturer of ATVs and side-by-sides, recalled around 450,000
vehicles from 2008 to 2018 due to ATV fire and safety hazards linked to the ProStar
engine. Polaris marketed these vehicles as safe, but these hazards resulted in multiple
fatalities and severe burn injuries.

ProStar Engine Issues:

The ProStar engine, introduced in 2010, was manufactured in-house by Polaris to save
costs from outsourcing the production of its engines to another company. Polaris
marketing the ProStar Engine as having “maximum performance”. However, this
engine’s defective design led to safety issues, particularly with heat generation and
proximity of vital components. Reports indicate that the engine’s layout, particularly the
exhaust design, posed a significant fire risk for passengers and drivers, eventually
resulting in catastrophic incidents.

Polaris Recalls:

Polaris issued several recalls starting in 2013. Unfortunately, these recalls were vague
and incomplete. Polaris issued additional recalls in 2015, but did not include all the
necessary information, including that a 15 year-old girl had died from fire injuries related
to a Polaris RZR. Polaris expanded the recall to include a defective vent line that
needed to be fixed in all models. The “fix” however did not actually resolve the fire risk.
Polaris again expanded the recall later in 2015, 2017 and 2018. During that time several
Polaris users were injured or killed.

In 2018, customers who bought recalled Polaris vehicles brought a class action against
Polaris. The plaintiffs alleged that the ProStar engine produced more power than
competing engines, which also produced more heat. In addition, the ProStar’s exhaust
gas piping route was designed in a U-shape, towards the occupant of the vehicle.
Plaintiffs also alleged that the piping lacked proper ventilation and heat shielding,
making the hottest part of the engine right behind the occupant. This, the plaintiffs
alleged, was different than the design Polaris patented in 2008, where the exhaust pipe
exited the vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle, away from the occupant:

In April of 2018 the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reached a
settlement with Polaris for $27.25 million for failure to report defective recreational off-
road vehicles. Unfortunately, the safety concerns still exist for many Polaris vehicles.

Negligence and Safety Concerns:

Those who have brought lawsuits against Polaris allege that Polaris should have
properly tested the engine. If it had, they would have been aware of the fire risks
associated with the ProStar engine. Instead, Polaris disregarded the potential hazards,
failing to take adequate measures to protect consumers’ safety. Reports of engine fires,
melted plastic panels, and inconvenient safety harnesses compounded the dangers
faced by users of these off-road vehicles continue today.

Our Legal Representation:

Our firm, along with our co-counsel is actively filing lawsuits on behalf of those affected
by Polaris ATV rollovers, fires, or significant property damage. If you or someone you
know has been seriously injured by a Polaris vehicle with a ProStar engine, we are
committed to standing up for you. Contact us for a free consultation and assessment of
your case.