Warn Industries Inc. Recalls Eight-Post ATV Winch Kits for Overheating

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2006 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/.)

Name of Product: Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits

Units: About 218,000

Manufacturer: Warn Industries Inc., of Clackamas, Ore. (manufacturer of the winch kits)

Hazard: A component of the winch kit, the eight-post contactor, can continue to pull current when in the "off" position, which can cause it to overheat and pose a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Warn Industries has received one report of a contactor failure resulting in excessive heat and melting damage to the contactor. No injuries were reported.

Description: This recall involves eight-post contactors used on certain 2,500 to 3,500 lb Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits. The black contactors were sold as a part of winch kits and have a "WARN" logo on the top and bottom of the contactor. Warn part number 62135 is printed on the bottom. Contactors are found on the vehicle attached to the power wires, between the battery and the winch. The contactor has four holes for securing it to the vehicle. A complete listing of winch kit part numbers involved in this recall can be found at http://www.warn.com/.

Sold by: ATV dealers, ATV accessory retailers, mail order catalogs, and Web retailers nationwide from May 2001 through September 2005 for $700.

Manufactured in: United States (contactors were manufactured in Japan)

Remedy: Consumers with winch kits containing these eight-post contactors should immediately disconnect the contactor wires from the battery and contact Warn Industries or their local dealer for a free replacement contactor.

Customer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Warn toll-free at (866) 408-3767 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or e-mail Warn at contact@warn.com. Consumers also can visit the firm's Web site at http://www.warn.com/.

  Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 408-3767
  CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
  CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7800