The Yamaha Rhino was first introduced into the market in 2004 with the Yamaha Rhino 660cc model. In subsequent years, the 400 series model was introduced along with the continuation of the 660cc model.
Soon after coming to market, Yamaha started to receive reports of rollovers. As of October of 2005, there were approximately ten claims and/or lawsuits made against Yamaha regarding injuries sustained while using the Yamaha Rhino. Since then, the number of reported injury claims/cases has grown exponentially and is over one hundred already. Most of the injuries involve crush injuries to the leg and/or arm getting underneath the side of the Rhino in the rollover. Unfortunately, these injuries have resulted in amputations on several occasions.
In response to the problem, Yamaha issued a “Dear Rhino Owner Letter” on September 11, 2006 warning the user about sticking your arms and feet out during a rollover incident and/or otherwise advising the user not to do so.In further response, Yamaha issued a second letter on August 27, 2007 to the “Rhino Owner” notifying the owner of a retrofit campaign regarding the installation of doors and further handhold devices. To date, however, Yamaha has not recalled the Rhino product.
