Textron Specialized Vehicles and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall Jan. 11 of about 1,100 Bad Boy off-road utility vehicles to address serious injury risks associated with the vehicles’ lack of seat belts.
The recall involves the Bad Boy XTO and Bone Collector XTO model off-road utility vehicles, which come equipped with a bench seat for the driver and front passenger and a rear-facing bench seat for two additional passengers.
The vehicles pose a serious threat of injury and death because they have a high center of gravity, making them prone to roll over. At the same time, they lack seat belts, leaving occupants with no safety restraints in the event of a rollover.
This combination proved deadly when 14-year-old Cody Pike died in Toombs County, Ga., when the Bad Boy XTO he was riding in rolled over in 2014. He was a passenger in the vehicle when the driver made a left-hand turn and the vehicle turned over. Because there were no seat belts or doors on the buggy, Cody was ejected and was crushed when the 1,700-pound vehicle landed on him.
“While I am glad to see that Textron is recalling these vehicles, I am saddened that it took the loss of a fine young man to bring about this change,” said J. Greg Allen, the lead products liability lawyer for the Beasley Allen law firm of Montgomery, Ala., who represented the family in a wrongful death case resulting from the accident.
“His parents, Adam and Debra, were courageous in standing up for their son in the pursuit of justice,” Mr. Allen added. “Their primary goal in bringing this case was to prevent another family from suffering a loss like theirs.”
In addition to Cody’s tragic death, an adult male driver suffered a serious leg injury in a separate rollover case related to the Textron vehicles.
The recalled vehicles were sold in camouflage, black, white, forest green, flame red, and patriot blue. The brand and model name are printed on the side and front panels. The recalled vehicles have serial numbers ranging from 8000020 through 8004934. These numbers are located on the steering wheel column.
The recalled utility vehicles were sold at Bad Boy dealers nationwide from November 2010 through June 2013 for between $13,200 and $14,200. All units were manufactured in the U.S.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vehicles and contact Textron or an authorized dealer for a free installation of seat belts. Textron Specialized Vehicles is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Textron may be reached by calling toll-free at 855-738-3711 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.badboyoffroad.com.
