Mini ATV’s are typically very well made and very safe when used correctly, but over the past several years there have been some recalls on Mini ATV’s, also called Youth ATV’s. The thing is that most of the recalls have been on Mini ATV’s that were manufactured in China. They may have been sold by an American company, but they were imported from China, which makes you wonder if you shouldn’t be checking out who manufactured any Mini ATV before you buy it and avoid Chinese manufacturers, at least until they stop sending over poorly made machines.

One of the most recent examples of a Chinese manufactured Mini ATV that was recalled is the Ohalee FA-A70 Youth ATV’s. The recall was issued on September 6, 2007, and it is a complete recall of the machine, not a fix. This Mini ATV is not safe. The recall states that the reason for the recall is that the Mini ATV “could put young riders at risk of injury”. You think? Listen to the list of things that are wrong with this vehicle.

The front brakes aren’t there. The tires are not dated, meaning they could be 100 years old for all you know, and there is no pressure gauge for the tires. The suspension in the front is solid, meaning there is no give and you can’t ride the Mini ATV over even slightly rough terrain. There is no padding on the handlebars and there are sharp edges that are left exposed. The owner’s manual has no safety or maintenance information, and there is nowhere on the Mini ATV to store the manual.

According to the recall there have been no injuries reported as a result of these defects and the recall is a voluntary one. Should we say thanks? Or should we say, “Hey, fix them before you send them over here for us to put our children on!”

Before you buy a Mini ATV, especially a used one, be sure to do some research on the make and model and look for any recalls. You only want the safest environment for your children and putting them on a recalled Mini ATV is anything but safe. You can find recall information online by searching for “Mini ATV Recalls”.