Lemberg Law is investigating complaints from 2021 RZR Turbo S and XP Turbo owners about problems resulting from clutch failure. RZR and XP owners are reporting injuries caused by debris ejected from the clutch housing. Others are concerned about the dangers their vehicles present, especially because there are reports of vehicle fires as well as injuries.
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There certainly is a problem with the 2021 RZR XP Turbo and RZR Turbo S and its potentially defective clutch. On November 19, 2020, the manufacturer, Polaris, recalled more than 19,000 RZR recreational off-highway vehicles in North America because of a potential injury hazard risk.
The recall, which was reported to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), states that the vehicle’s clutch can fail, “posing an injury hazard.” Model years 2020-2021 RZR PRO XP, PRO XP4 and Model Year 2021 RZR Turbo S, Turbo S4, XP Turbo and XP 4 Turbo ROV, are affected.
Polaris is stamped on the front grille of these vehicles, and both Polaris and RZR are printed on their sides.
According to the original November, 2020 Polaris recall report, the manufacturer had received 136 reports of clutch failure, including 8 reports of debris and clutch component ejection that damaged nearby parts of the vehicle. At that stage, no injuries had been reported.
However, by September 9, 2022, when Polaris issued a Stop Ride/Stop Sale for about 30,250 of these vehicles worldwide, they had identified 206 reports of clutch failure. These included reports of 1 tip-over, 6 fires, and 2 injuries.
Polaris stated it had identified a repair and was notifying dealers and registered owners directly. Consumers were advised to stop using “impacted units” and to schedule a free repair with dealers. They were urging consumers not to attempt DIY repairs.
As the original Polaris recall report dated September 11, 2020, warns, under certain conditions RZR Pro XP, XP Turbo, and RZR Turbo S models may have primary (drive) clutch failure. If this happens, it can result in debris or even clutch components being ejected from the clutch housing. Typically, this happens in high-load, low-speed conditions, for instance when launching simultaneously with the brake and throttle.
It’s not clear what problems any owners of the affected RZR and XP vehicles have experienced. Unlike complaints vehicle owners lodge with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which rely on consumer input, Polaris submits its information via the CPSC. No consumer comments or complaints are included in these reports.
When Polaris issued its Stop Ride/Stop Safe recall in September 2022, they mentioned that they were aware of 6 vehicles catching fire. It is possible this that led to another recall that affects RZR Pro XP 4 recreational off-road vehicles (ROVs) that was issued on December 1, 2022. This time, 600 vehicles, including about 7 in Canada, are affected.
The hazard this recall highlights is that a “fuel leak can occur at the fuel pump assembly joint on the fuel tank in close proximity to a hot surface, posing a fire hazard.”
There are many ongoing online reports of fire hazards relating to these vehicles, but nothing has been reported to the CPSC. Nevertheless, in 2013, 133,000 Polaris RZR ROVs were recalled because of a serious fire-and-burn hazard to drivers and passengers.
But, did it make a difference? In 2019, The New York Times reported how a child died when a new RZR 900 tipped over and caught alight, resulting in the death of a teenage girl. But this happened in 2015. So, who knows?
If you have any issues with the clutch of your RZR Turbo S, RZR Pro, or XP Turbo, don’t wait to see what happens. Do something about it, especially if you have been adversely affected in any way. The reality is that you may have bought a lemon. If you have, the law says that any legal fees must be paid by Polaris.
In any case, if you are experiencing problems, you might have a lemon. All you need to do is call us or complete our contact form. We will evaluate your case and see if you qualify.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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