Transport Canada is advising boaters that a recall has been issued for certain Bombardier Side Mount Remote Control Boxes (P/N 176380 and 176381). 

Bombardier Motor Corporation of America in the United States and Bombardier Inc in Canada (collectively “Bombardier) are conducting a voluntary safety recall of Remote Control Boxes, P/N 176380 and 176381, that were manufactured and distributed between the dates of January 1, 2001 and August1, 2003. As a registered owner of an Evinrude or Johnson outboard motor purchased between these dates, you may also own the affected control box. This recall does not involve your outboard engine. 

These remote control boxes may have loose or improperly assembled fast idle lever components, which could potentially cause the outboard to stick in gear or in neutral or jam the throttle.  A stuck shift lever or jammed throttle lever could cause the operator of the boat to lose control or have diminished control of the vessel, which presents a risk of personal injury to the operator, passengers, and people who are nearby. 

If you have a remote control box (throttle and gear levers) on your boat, please locate and examine the remote control box(es). If the box(es) has an OMC or Bombardier name on it, please check the manufacture date code to see if the control box is covered by this recall. The date code is printed on a tag adhered to the underside of the Fast Idle Lever.  If the date code is (01-A-A1), or (01-A-1A, 01-H-1C) or any sequence between (01-A-1A and 01-H-1C), check the bottom edge of the box for a white dot. If there is a white dot, your remote control box has already been fixed and this recall does not involve your unit.  If your remote control box has a date code in this sequence and does not have a white dot, discontinue use of your boat and the affected remote control box. Please contact your authorized Evinrude/Johnson dealer and schedule repairs immediately.  Any necessary repairs will be completed free of charge (Warranty Bulletin (Safety Campaign) 2003-03 (W)).  If you are unable to verify the date code, discontinue use of your boat and the control box and contact your authorized Evinrude/Johnson dealer to schedule an inspection immediately and make any needed repair. 

This notice applies to all current owners of the affected remote control boxes. Accordingly, if you have sold your remote control box, please notify the purchaser of this recall.  To contact your nearest authorized Evinrude or Johnson dealer, please visit www.evinrude.com or www.johnson.com or you contact Bombardier via phone at (847) 689-7090. 

Transport Canada, with its mandate to promote boating safety, is assisting Bombardier in spreading the word of this recall.  Both organizations are recommending that owners of affected remote control box(es) suspend use of their boat and contact their local authorized Evinrude/Johnson dealer for inspection.