Arctic Cat recalls 40,000 ATVs amid gear box failures

Arctic Cat Inc. is voluntarily recalling its all-terrain vehicles manufactured in 2008 and part of 2009 over concerns about the front gear case failing.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission Arctic Cat has received 44 reports of components in the front gear case failing, including 10 reports of the vehicle stopping abruptly or the operator losing control of the ATV.

Four of those incidents have resulted in injuries, including one where a rider suffered broken ribs, knee and back injuries, the commission said.

Arctic Cat announced the recalls several weeks ago but provided few details, saying only that "the front gear box may not meet the company's standards" and that there were " no confirmed reports of serious injuries."

The federal safety commission statement Friday detailed the gear box failure and injury reports.

The machines were sold nationwide by Arctic Cat dealers from May 2007 to October 2014 for between $5,500 and $12,000.

When it unveiled the recall several weeks ago, the company urged ATV owners of affected models to stop riding their vehicles and bring them to an Arctic Cat dealer for free repairs.

The recall affects about 35,386 ATVs from the 2008 model year and 4,495 ATVs from the 2009 model year, the company said. See the models here.

Toll-free numbers are available for consumers to call with questions: 1-800-279-6851 (U.S.), 1-800-373-0717 (Canada).

Arctic Cat is headquartered in the Twin Cities and has major manufacturing operations in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.