A company called Bush Hog is recalling about 850 if its defective off-road vehicles. According to an article in Consumeraffairs.com, the throttle cable of this vehicle can lock in freezing temperatures causing the engine not to return to idle when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator pedal. This obviously poses a risk of loss of vehicle control and injury to the driver and passenger. So far Bush Hog has received one report of an incident involving a frozen throttle cable on a utility vehicle. So far, the company says, no injuries have been reported as a result of this product defect.

This defective product recall involves the Bush Hog Models TH4400 (Trail Hand) and 4430 4X4 Off-Road Utility Vehicles. The words “Bush Hog” are printed on the utility vehicle’s cargo bed. Model “TH4400″ or “4430″ is printed on each side of the hood. The vehicles come in red, green or mossy oak. They were apparently manufactured in the United States and were sold by Bush Hog dealerships nationwide from April 2008 to December 2008 for between $8,000 and $10,000. Consumers are asked to stop using the recalled utility vehicles immediately and contact a dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair.

If you own one of these vehicles you should have received notification about this recall by mail. The company is also issuing a $50 incentive check for retail customers who bring their vehicles in to get the defective throttle cable replaced. If you would like more information, please call Bush Hog LLC. at 1-877-873-0143 or visit their Web site at www.bushhog.com. To view the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) safety alert about this product, please click here (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09736.html).

I’m glad that this company issued a prompt recall of this defective product. They seem to have gone about it the right way by not only mailing out the notices to all their customers, but also offering a cash incentive to those who bring back their vehicles for inspection. Earlier this month, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA stopped sales of three Rhino off-road utility vehicle models after rollover accidents caused 46 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The company is stopping sales until the product design defects are rectified in the Rhino off-road utility vehicles.

Loss of vehicle control is a serious problem in any vehicle especially an off-road vehicle that travels on rough terrain. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident or any other defective off-road vehicles, please call a nationally renowned product defect law firm to find out how you can protect your rights and get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Product manufacturers who knowingly put dangerous and defective products in the market must be held accountable to consumers.