Intimidator UTV universal joint brake-line sever crash hazard (CPSC April 11, 2024)

## Affected machines This bulletin covers the **Intimidator-branded portion** of the April 11, 2024 CPSC recall. The Mahindra-branded portion is covered separately in **TNB02600088** — same defect family, sister bulletin. About **19,075 combined Intimidator + Mahindra units** in the recall total (some sources cite ~19,264). Manufactured by Intimidator LLC in Batesville, Arkansas. The UTVs were sold in a variety of colors. **"Intimidator"** is displayed on the front grill, and the model series is printed on the rear-side panels. The serial number is on a label inside the **glove box**, inside the **hood compartment**, and **below the driver's seat**. ### Affected Intimidator models | Model | Years | |---|---| | GC1K Classic | 2018-2023 | | GC1K Crew | 2019-2023 | | GC1K Truck | 2019-2023 | | 750 Classic | 2013-2023 | | 750 Crew | 2014-2022 | | 750 Truck | 2013-2022 | | 800 Classic | 2015-2018 | | 800 Crew | 2015-2018 | | 800 Enforcer | 2016-2018 | | 1000 Diesel Classic | 2013-2023 | | 1000 Diesel Crew | 2013-2022 | | 1000 Diesel Truck | 2013-2023 | | Electric Classic | 2013-2023 | ### Affected serial range Intimidator: **000000 through 014034**. This is a **superset** of the 2022 recall (TNB02600085) population — the 2024 recall extends through November 2023 sales (versus February 2022 for the prior recall) and includes the **Electric Classic** which was not on the 2022 recall list. Most owners affected by the 2022 recall are also affected by the 2024 recall, requiring two separate dealer visits (or one combined visit if both repairs can be performed together). ### Production / sales window Sold at **authorized Intimidator dealers nationwide** from **August 2013 through November 2023** for **$11,000 to $21,500**. ## Issue The **universal joint can fail** and **pierce and sever the brake line**, posing a crash hazard. The universal joint (U-joint) is the mechanical coupling between drive shaft segments that allows power transfer when the shaft segments are at an angle. On these Intimidator UTVs, a U-joint in the driveline can fail in a way that ejects fragments or causes the failed joint to swing — and the **brake line is routed adjacent to the driveline** in a position where U-joint failure can puncture or sever it. Loss of brake line means **complete loss of hydraulic brakes** on whichever circuit is severed. On a UTV that can reach 65 mph (GC1K class), brake loss is a direct safety-critical failure mode — the parking brake is the only remaining stopping mechanism, and parking brakes are not designed for emergency stops at speed. This is the most severe defect in either the 2022 or 2024 Intimidator UTV recalls. The 2022 throttle freeze recall describes a failure mode that requires sustained driver effort against the brakes; the 2024 universal joint recall describes a failure mode where brakes simply do not exist after the fault occurs. ### Reported field incidents at recall time - 40 reports of incidents - 12 reports of brake line impact - 0 injuries The 12 brake-line-impact reports on a 19,075 unit population (~0.06% rate) is low in absolute terms but the consequence severity is high. ## What to do 1. Find the **serial number on a label inside the glove box, inside the hood compartment, or below the driver's seat**. 2. Check your serial number against the recall list at https://intimidatorutv.com/recall-information/brake-line/. 3. If your UTV is in scope, **stop using it immediately**. 4. Contact an **authorized Intimidator dealer** to schedule a free repair. 5. Or call Intimidator toll-free at **888-215-8121** Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT, or email **recall@intimidatorutv.com**. 6. Intimidator is **contacting all registered purchasers by mail**. ## Hazard Severity is rated **critical** because brake-line sever is a direct safety-critical failure mode on a high-speed off-road vehicle. While field incident rates are low and no injuries had been reported at recall time, the consequence of a single brake-line sever event (complete brake loss at speed on rough terrain) is catastrophic. This severity rating matches the precedent set by TNB02600076 (Briggs/Ariens fuel leak, critical with 0 fires reported) and TNB02600080 (Stihl MS 461 fuel pinch, critical with 117 reports + 0 fires). ## Related bulletins - **TNB02600088** — Direct Mahindra-branded sibling bulletin covering the Mahindra portion of this same recall. - **TNB02600085** — Earlier 2022 Intimidator UTV recall (throttle cable freeze + GC1K speed limiter). Different defect, overlapping affected population. ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Intimidator Recalls Intimidator and Mahindra Utility Vehicles (UTVs) Due to Crash Hazard," April 11, 2024. - Manufacturer: Intimidator LLC, of Batesville, Arkansas. - Intimidator recall page: https://intimidatorutv.com/recall-information/brake-line/