Judged by public recall records, the most reliable side-by-side lines of the seven utility lines compared here are the Kawasaki Mule and Honda Pioneer. Each had one CPSC vehicle recall from January 2021 to 12 October 2026, against 13 for the Polaris Ranger, and the Mule models checked carry a 3-year limited warranty.
The table counts recalls listed in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall database with recall dates from 1 January 2021 to 12 October 2026, searched on 12 October 2026. Unit counts are the CPSC's own figures for units sold in the United States.
| Model line | CPSC recalls, Jan 2021 to Oct 2026 | Units in largest recall (CPSC) | Hazards named |
|---|
| Honda Pioneer | 1 | About 1,400 (shared with the Talon 1000) | Crash, injury |
| Kawasaki Mule | 1 | About 19,100 | Fire |
| Yamaha Viking | 2 | About 500 | Crash, injury |
| John Deere Gator XUV | 2 | About 1,600 | Crash, fire |
| Can-Am Defender | 3 | About 34,400 | Fire, injury |
| Kubota RTV | 4 | About 49,640 | Crash, collision, injury |
| Polaris Ranger | 13 | About 41,500 | Fire, crash, injury |
Compare these models with side-by-sides for sale on Searchshop.
The picks in this guide come from public records, not test drives or owner surveys. Reliability was judged on two records anyone can check: recalls listed in the CPSC's recall database, and the factory warranty each manufacturer publishes on its own website.
The CPSC recall database was searched on 12 October 2026 for every recall dated 1 January 2021 to 12 October 2026, and each recall was matched to a model line by the models named in the notice. Seven utility and work side-by-side lines were compared: Honda Pioneer, Kawasaki Mule, Yamaha Viking, John Deere Gator XUV, Can-Am Defender, Kubota RTV and Polaris Ranger. Sport models such as the Polaris RZR, Can-Am Maverick and Honda Talon were left out, except where a recall notice covers both kinds. Only recalls of the vehicles themselves were counted. Recalls of accessories, such as Honda's April 2025 recall of accessory heaters for some Pioneer models, and of engines sold for other brands' equipment were not counted. Warranty terms were read from each manufacturer's website on the same date.
Recall counts are not adjusted for sales. The CPSC does not give sales figures in its notices, and a line with more models and more units on the road has more chances of a recall. A recall also shows that a fault was found and a free fix offered, not how often the vehicles break down.
The Honda Pioneer and Kawasaki Mule had the fewest vehicle recalls in the period, with one each.
- Honda Pioneer: the one recall, in November 2021, covered about 1,400 2021 Pioneer 700, Pioneer 1000 and Talon 1000 vehicles with electric power steering, which could lose steering function.
- Kawasaki Mule: the one recall, in July 2024, covered about 19,100 2024 Mule PRO 1000 vehicles, in which improper combustion when starting the engine posed a fire hazard.
- Yamaha Viking: two small recalls, in September 2022 for about 330 vehicles with improperly installed rear brake lines, and in December 2022 for about 500 vehicles whose parking brake could fail to hold.
- John Deere Gator XUV: two recalls, both for the XUV590: about 90 vehicles in May 2021 for an engine control software error, and about 1,600 in June 2023 for fuel leaking from under the fuel cap.
The Viking and Gator recalls each covered fewer than 2,000 vehicles, so they reached fewer owners than the single Mule recall did.
The Polaris Ranger had the most recalls of the seven lines, with 13, followed by the Kubota RTV with four and the Can-Am Defender with three.
Seven of the 13 Ranger recalls name a fire hazard, and three involve seat belt anchors or their fasteners, which could fail and leave the seat belt unable to protect riders. The largest, in March 2021, covered about 41,500 vehicles, including 2020 and 2021 Ranger 1000 and Ranger Crew 1000 models, whose drive belt could break and damage the fuel line. Among Ranger models, eight of the 13 recalls apply only to three newer versions: the electric Ranger XP Kinetic (three recalls), the Ranger XD 1500 (two) and the Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar (three).
The most recent Ranger recall in the period, in October 2025, covered about 5,130 2025 and 2026 Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar models with an improperly routed alternator cable.
Kubota's four RTV recalls include two of the largest in this comparison. The November 2021 recall covered about 48,875 RTV-X1100C vehicles whose floor mats could interfere with the throttle pedal. The May 2025 recall covered about 49,640 RTV-series vehicles whose front ball joint could separate from the suspension arm. The other two covered the RTV-XG850 Sidekick's steering.
The largest Defender recall, in July 2021, covered about 34,400 2020 and 2021 Defender HD10 vehicles. Owners were told to stop using track kits on these vehicles in snow, because snow could block the drive-belt air intake and the belt could overheat and break. The other two covered 2022 and 2023 Can-Am models: one for a fuel hose that could leak and one for wrong clutch maintenance intervals printed in the operator's guide.
Kawasaki offers the longest term among the warranties confirmed for this guide, at 3 years for the Mule models checked.
For a Can-Am Defender or John Deere Gator, ask the dealer for the factory warranty term in writing before you buy. Warranty terms can change by model year, so check the term for the exact year you are buying.
A used side-by-side should have every recall repair done before you pay for it. The recall notices in this guide tell owners how to get the remedy, and several of them offer a free repair at a dealer.
- Get the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the exact model year and model name from the seller.
- Search the CPSC recalls list for the brand and model, and read which model years and VIN ranges each notice covers.
- Ask a dealer for that brand to check the VIN for open recalls, and ask the seller for service records that show recall work was done.
The side-by-side buyer's guide covers what else to check before buying, and the ATV and UTV maintenance guide covers service intervals.
The best choice on reliability records is the line with few recalls and the warranty you want, in the size and price that fits your work.
- Longest confirmed warranty with a short recall record: Kawasaki Mule, with one vehicle recall in the period and a 3-year limited warranty on the models checked.
- Short recall record from a second brand: Honda Pioneer, with one vehicle recall in the period, which covered 2021 models with electric power steering.
- Buying a Polaris Ranger, Kubota RTV or Can-Am Defender: check the exact model year against the recalls above and make sure every recall repair is done.
To compare prices and power across brands, read Polaris vs Can-Am, or best sport UTVs for trail models. When you have a shortlist, browse new and used side-by-sides for sale on Searchshop and ask each dealer about recall work and warranty terms.
No, a recall on its own does not mean a side-by-side is unreliable. A recall means the manufacturer and the CPSC found a defect and the maker offers a remedy, such as a free repair at a dealer. Recall counts are also not adjusted for how many vehicles a brand sells. A pattern of recalls on the same model, or recalls for the same kind of fault, is more useful to a buyer than one recall.
Of the warranties confirmed for this guide, the Kawasaki Mule has the longest, a 3-year limited warranty on the Mule SX and Mule PRO-FX 1000. Kubota lists 24 months or 1,000 hours for RTV utility vehicles, and Honda and Polaris list 1 year for the Pioneer and the 2027 Ranger 1000. Yamaha adds a 10-year limited warranty on the Viking's drive belt. Warranty terms can change by model year, so confirm the term for the year you buy.
Ask a dealer for that brand to check the vehicle identification number (VIN), because recalls cover specific model years and VIN ranges. You can also search the CPSC's recall list by brand and model to see which recalls might apply. Before you buy, ask the seller for service records that show any recall repair was completed.
