Kawasaki Finally Addresses UTV Stop-Drive Recall. Has A Fix For Exploding Gearboxes

After months of silent stop-drives and stop-sales, Team Green has a fix for its go-fast UTV.

Photo by: Kawasaki

By: Jonathon Klein

Jun 11, at 1:56pm ET

Add RideApart as a preferred source in Google

Comment

A few months back, and just a few short months after its release, Kawasaki issued a rather quiet recall on the brand's new supercharged, go-fast Teryx H2 side-by-side. The recall, however, was for dealerships to stop selling the vehicle and for owners to park it.

The quiet recall, one that went through official dealership and ownership channels only, though it quickly made its way online, came as a gut punch to many. Kawasaki had delivered a much-anticipated UTV, one meant to go up against the likes of Can-Am and Polaris, and had the specs to make most salivate and drop their hard-earned cash on the UTV.

But at present, it was nothing more than a paperweight, as the recall stated that the transmission could explode during operation. And a handful of first-hand accounts of exactly that situation then started to matriculate onto online forums. There were even a few influencers talking about their experience and disappointment with the brand.

Months have now gone by, and little has been said by Kawasaki. Though that's all changed, as Kawasaki finally issued a full recall, one with a fix that'll get everyone's Teryx H2s back shredding the dunes.

According to Kawasaki's recall notice, the issue at hand is that "The drive converter sheave can break in certain circumstances, resulting in metal fragments being discharged within the engine compartment and surrounding area, posing impact and injury hazards." As such, the company has received notice that about 19 incidents have been reported to Kawasaki, but "none of which have resulted in injuries."

That's good to hear. But better yet, after all the months of waiting for Kawasaki to fix the Teryx H2s, the brand figured out a permanent fix that'll be ready for owners to go get at their local Kawasaki dealership.

What do you think?

View

Comments

"A technician will replace the moveable clutch sheave assembly," states Kawasaki, and "install a clutch cover guard and reprogram the Engine Control Unit (ECU) on the vehicle." That doesn't seem like that big of a fix, so it shouldn't take the techs all that long to repair and get you on your merry way. And according to Kawasaki, the recall only affects about 3,500 vehicles total.

Based on RideApart's previous reporting on the situation, Teryx H2 owners will both get the fix for free, and a complimentary extended 12-month warranty, as well as 12 months of Kawasaki Protection Plus, the brand's extended service contract. As for right now, owners are encouraged to contact their dealership to schedule the free repair and get back to raising hell at their local OHV park.