Yamaha Recalls Thousands of Golf Cars Due to Crash Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of approximately 8,650 model year 2021-2022 Yamaha Drive2 Electric Fleet Golf Cars. The recall stems from a potential issue with the passenger-side brake cable, which could lead to a crash hazard. This recall impacts consumers nationwide who have purchased these specific golf car models.

According to the commission, the passenger-side brake cable in the affected golf cars may have been misrouted during the assembly process. This misrouting can cause abnormal wear over time, potentially leading to the cable breaking while the vehicle is in use. Such a failure could result in a loss of braking control, increasing the risk of a crash and posing a serious threat of injury or death to the occupants.

Yamaha Golf-Car Company, based in Kennesaw, Georgia, imported these vehicles, which were manufactured in Japan. The recalled golf cars were sold in various colors, including mica (gold), arctic drift (blue), moonstone (gray), carbon (dark gray), bluestone, garnet (red), emerald (green), sunstone (yellow), and glacier (white). The model years in question are 2021 and 2022, specifically the JOJ Drive2 AC-L and J5B Drive2 AC-L Li models. Consumers can locate the serial number for their golf car on the frame underneath the seat; Yamaha has stated they will assist owners who have difficulty finding this information. These golf cars were available for purchase at authorized Yamaha Golf Car dealers across the United States from March 2021 through September 2024, with prices ranging from $6,700 to $8,830.

Consumers who own one of the recalled Yamaha Drive2 Electric Fleet Golf Cars are strongly advised to immediately stop using the vehicle. They should then contact an authorized Yamaha Golf Car dealer to arrange for a free inspection of the passenger-side brake cable’s routing. If the inspection reveals that the cable was indeed misrouted, the dealer will replace it with a new, properly routed cable at no cost to the consumer. Yamaha is also offering to transport the golf car to an authorized dealer for inspection and repair, or to perform the inspection and necessary repair at the golf car’s current location for consumers who cannot bring it to a dealer.

Yamaha has received six reports detailing instances where the passenger-side brake cable broke due to improper routing. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with these incidents. In addition to the units sold in the U.S., approximately 700 of these golf cars were also sold in Canada.

Consumers can reach Yamaha for assistance and to schedule repairs by calling their toll-free number at 866-747-4027, available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Alternatively, inquiries can be sent via email to ygc_callcenter@yamaha-motor.com, or more information can be found by visiting the Yamaha Motorsports website and navigating to the CPSC recalls section or by clicking on “CPSC Recalls” at the bottom of the main Yamaha Motor website.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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