Polaris RZR 170 Problems – Is It a Reliable Vehicle?

You want your time behind the wheel of the Polaris RZR 170 to be as enjoyable as possible. When you go camping or have a fun time outside, the off-road vehicle will make the experience that much more enjoyable. What more exciting adventure could you wish for when you have the power to race across the dunes at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour?

You should remember that automobiles, regardless of how well-designed they appear, can suffer mechanical defects at some point. Even if they deliver an extraordinary experience like the RZR 170 you have or are about to acquire, they are bound to develop mechanical problems.

If you are a proud owner, you might not want to acknowledge the possibility that the automobile could be unattractive under certain conditions. To keep you abreast of the necessary information, we will present a comprehensive breakdown of the potential issues you may have with your journey with RZR 170.

Polaris RZR 170 Overview

Polaris is the manufacturer of recreational vehicles that offers a youth sport side-by-side vehicle. According to the company, this model is designed to give riders aged ten and older the excitement of driving. They believe in providing essential safety features that parents will adore. The RZR 170 youth UTV came into the picture in the year 2010.

The RZR 170 is probably the most valued machine in the brand's history, even though it is frequently neglected. The 170 lineups ushered in a new breed of young UTV riders, many competing in professional leagues. With the RZR 170, this new generation of riders has grown up enjoying and racing UTVs, which is one of the primary reasons UTV enthusiasts and UTV racing are becoming increasingly popular today.

Polaris RZR 170 Recall

Even though Polaris assured its customers on multiple occasions that the vehicles were risk-free, there were reports of the vehicle's involvement in fire outbreaks. Even though the vehicles come with a safety package and have parental control over the speed, these vehicles cannot be assumed too safe. 

Due to potential crash and fire dangers, the company had to recall many vehicles manufactured by Polaris of different models. The RZR 170 from 2015 - 2017 is one of the models affected by this recall. It was determined that the model year 2015 has a gasoline pump ring that has the potential to leak, which creates a risk of fire.

There were about 102 reports of cracks in the fuel tank necks and 28 reports of wires burning, smoking, melting, or shorting out. 

As a result of the potential for fuel leaks and fires, Polaris was forced to issue a recall for roughly 16,800 RZR 170 off-road vehicles. The recall occurred when it was discovered that the fuel tank neck could crack or that the wiring harness could short-circuit or overheat-the outcome of this being a possible fuel leak and fire hazards.

The manufacturing company faced a lawsuit at the time of this crisis. The contention of the lawsuit seeking class-action status, claims for wrongful death and personal damage, and cases brought on behalf of shareholders that the firm attempted to hide its knowledge of dangerous products.

The company sought to handle the problem by informing customers to cease using the recalled off-road vehicles and get in touch with Polaris to arrange a free repair. Due to the mishap, Polaris had to make direct contact with all known purchasers. 

Is it a Reliable Vehicle?

While you are confident that your Polaris RZR 170 is reliable, it would not harm to brace yourself for unforeseen circumstances. Below are some faults you are likely to experience using this vehicle:

• Fuel Pump Problem
• Weak Batteries
• Axle and Suspension Problem
• Engine Malfunction
• Transmission Issues
• Shifting Problem

Weak Batteries

It is not uncommon for your Polaris RZR 170 to have weak batteries. In some cases, the batteries can unexpectedly go flat dead! How frustrating that can be! Several Polaris RZR owners have issues with their vehicle's battery dying.

There might be various reasons for this, ranging from extremely high temperatures to wrong wiring that results in the battery's continuous discharge. On the other hand, it seems that auxiliary aftermarket accessories are one of the most prevalent reasons for a dead battery.

It takes too much power to operate things like light bars, winches, and audio systems, among other similar devices. Installing a Polaris RZR Dual Battery Kit is a straightforward modification. It will help you avoid having to deal with this issue in the first place.

With this configuration, the secondary components of the vehicle are powered by the second battery. The primary battery is kept to guarantee that the side-by-side consistently starts up without problems.

Fuel Pump Problem

The fuel pumps in Polaris RZRs are notorious for being problematic. The fuel pump's default manufacturing setting is 39 pounds per square inch (psi). It becomes worn out with time, and the PSI falls to the lower 30s. You may have a problem with your fuel pump if your vehicle has trouble starting, backfires, sputters, or even totally shuts down while you're driving it.  

You wouldn't need anything cutting the fun off the trails. So, verify your fuel pressure PSI and acquire a replacement fuel pump if you deem fit. Inadequate higher RPM, decreased top speed, and poor acceleration are the telltale signs of a malfunctioning pump. Insufficient fuel supply might significantly damage the engine because it will force it to operate in a lean condition. 

If you want to check the pump's pressure, fix a fuel pressure gauge to the outlet of the fuel tank. To accurately evaluate your fuel pump's functionality, you will have to run it while simultaneously monitoring the fuel PSI using the gauge while the pump is functioning normally.

Axle and Suspension Problem

The axles and suspension that come with the Polaris RZR are other problems you're likely to experience with the vehicle. Even while the Polaris RZR can easily handle any trail or terrain thrown at it, the more complex the terrain, the more likely it will affect the vehicle. Sometimes when your Polaris RZR 170 develops this particular problem, you might not be surprised to discover that the improper use of the components is responsible.

Shooting the UTV off every weekend can not only cause your shocks to wear out faster but could run the risk of breaking the axle, which would be a catastrophic failure. The good news is that Polaris RZR axles and Polaris RZR shocks are easily accessible in the aftermarket. Even better is that virtually any replacement set you buy will be more robust and add up to a better riding experience.

Engine Malfunction

The engine of a vehicle developing mechanical faults is not a strange occurrence. So it is with the Polaris RZR 170. You can encounter a situation where the cylinder in the engine is not firing correctly, which promises to be frustrating. However, despite the potentially fatal consequences, some of the causes of a malfunctioning engine can be pretty straightforward.

For instance, the spark plug on Polaris RZR vehicles is typically among the most problematic components. There are instances when it get caked in so much filth that it cannot function as it should. On other occasions, the spark plug has either cracked or rusted.

In this scenario, fixing the spark plug on your Polaris RZR 170 will be a sure way to bring back the thrilling driving adventure. 

Transmission Issues

Transmission issues are frequently caused by improper riding technique, lack of maintenance, or abusive vehicle use.

It is possible for bolts to back out and shutter the transmission case if there are vibration or mechanical failures caused by design errors or defective parts. Transmission problems can also occur due to a faulty drive clutch, too much or too little tension on the transmission drive belt, or improper vehicle alignment.

Shifting Problem

Well, the transmission is kind of CVT, so there is no actual shifting problem. But the transmission may surprise you with some other issues like bad torque converting and poor engine power management. This means you will need to think about repair or better replacement.

Conclusion

Nobody wants to put out money for an exciting adventure by purchasing Polaris RZR 170 only to have it turn out to be a disaster. In light of this, before getting caught up in the thrill of buying and jumping into the Polaris RZR 170, it is essential to have a cursory glance at the issues that are likely to arise with the vehicle.

You want both yourself and your kids in the safest situation possible, which is the reason to adhere to all the safety measures necessary. It will help if you keep yourself abreast of the many potential fixes for any features that might give you trouble.