1969: Honda introduces the first All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) called the Honda ATC (All Terrain Cycle). The Honda ATC was a motorized three-wheeled version of the current four-wheel ATV. These were used mainly for sport and recreation.

 

1971: First ATV sold in the United States

 

1980s: As the three-wheeled ATV’s utility to farmers and ranchers became apparent, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki introduced their own three-wheeled ATVs.

 

1985: Suzuki introduces the Quadrunner, a four-wheeled ATV.

 

1986: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 2.4 million ATVs are in use in the United States.

 

1987: CPSC files a lawsuit under section 12 of the Consumer Product Safety Act to declare ATVs an imminently hazardous consumer product.

 

1988: The CPSC’s lawsuit is settled by consent decrees between the CPSC and ATV distributors. The consent decrees contain provisions addressing both three-wheel and four-wheel ATVs, and lead to the elimination of the manufacture of three-wheeled ATVs. However, manufacturers are not required to recall existing three-wheelers.

 

1988: “Sport” ATVs fall out of favor with the pubic due to CPSC’s lawsuit and subsequent consent decrees. Manufacturers begin to focus on the utility segment of the ATV market.  

 

1997 to 2001: The CPSC estimates that ATV-related injuries rose 104 percent, from an estimated 54,700 to 111,700. The CPSC further found that over the same five years:

CPSC reports that the increase in ridership does not completely account for the rise in injuries. To view the press release from the CPSC, click here.

 

2003: Yamaha announces the release the of its new side-by-side utility ATV, the 2004 Yamaha Rhino 660.

 

2004-2007: The Rhino is popular with the public, but many Rhino drivers and owners complain that the Rhino is unstable at even low speeds and is prone to tip-over. Many Rhino accidents have resulted in crushed legs and ankles, broken arms, and at least three children being crushed to death.  
    

2006: In September of 2006, Yamaha issues a letter to customers addressing the vehicle’s propensity for tipping-over, including a warning that turning too sharply or too quickly increases the risk of tip-over and that drivers and passengers should keep their hands and feet in the vehicle during a tip-over.

2007 (March): the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) releases a comprehensive report on ATV accidents, deaths, and injuries. The CPSC estimates that in 2004, more than 6.9 million four-wheel ATVs were in use in the United States. In the decade between 1995 and 2004, more than 4400 deaths were caused by four-wheel ATV accidents, including rollovers.

 

2007 (August): Yamaha issues an updated owner’s manual for the Rhino 660. The new manual includes several safety warnings relating to rollovers and new information about the vehicle’s new doors. Yamaha offers to install special doors and handholds on all 2004-2007 Rhinos. Yamaha adds doors to the 2008 Rhino to keep riders’ legs in the vehicle during a tip-over.

 

2007 (October): Yamaha announces in its third quarter summary of consolidated business results that “[p]ower product sales were…up 14.5 percent…due mainly to a significant sales increase in side-by-side vehicles in the United States, although all-terrain vehicle sales decreased”.  To view the press release from Yamaha, click here.

 

2008: Yamaha offers seven different Rhino models, including a “Sport Edition” with a 686cc engine.