The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday a voluntary recall of the The Peloton Tread+ and the Peloton Tread. The commission already had warned users in April.
Anyone who has either treadmill should stop using it immediately and contact Peloton. A full refund is available for those who return the machines. About 125,000 units are involved.
The company has stopped the sale and distribution of the Tread+ and is working on hardware modifications to make the exercise machine safe. In the United States, the Tread was only sold as part of a limited-only release from November 2020 to March 2021. The company is working on a repair to owners, which it expects to be available “in the coming weeks.”
The Peloton store in Bethesda Row referred all questions to the corporate communications office.
The Tread+ is being recalled as adults, children and pets can be pulled underneath the rear of the treadmill. A six-year-old child died after being pulled under, according to Peloton. It also received 72 reports of others being pulled under, including 29 reports of injuries to children including second and third degree abrasions, broken bones and lacerations.
The Tread is being recalled as the touchscreen can detach and fall. According to Peloton, there have been 18 reports of the touchscreen loosening and six of it detaching and falling. This did not result in any injuries in the United States.
Robert Adler, acting chairperson of the commission, explained in a statement, “The agreement between CPSC and Peloton is the result of weeks of intense negotiation and effort, culminating in a cooperative agreement that I believe serves the best interests of Peloton and of consumers. I would like to thank the CPSC technical staff who have worked tirelessly to protect consumers and to warn the public. Today we have taken steps to prevent further harm from these two products.”
Peloton CEO John Foley said in a statement, “The decision to recall both products was the right thing to do for Peloton’s Members and their families. I want to be clear, Peloton made a mistake in our initial response to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s request that we recall the Tread+. We should have engaged more productively with them from the outset. For that, I apologize. Today’s announcement reflects our recognition that, by working closely with the CPSC, we can increase safety awareness for our Members. We believe strongly in the future of at-home connected fitness and are committed to work with the CPSC to set new industry safety standards for treadmills. We have a desire and a responsibility to be an industry leader in product safety.”
For details on what owners of these treadmills should do, read the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s statement.
The Peloton Tread costs about $2,500.
Peloton and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are announcing a voluntary recall of Peloton’s Tread+ and Tread products. For more information and to participate in the recall, visit our #recall page https://t.co/I0h2yrSEyX pic.twitter.com/9zp2QMyH9x
— Peloton (@onepeloton) May 5, 2021
CPSC and @onepeloton Announce: Recall of Tread+ Treadmills After One Child Death and 70 Incidents; Recall of Tread Treadmills Due to Risk of Injury: https://t.co/diNqM0Scvb pic.twitter.com/8mUhIK6Uyd
— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) May 5, 2021
I cannot quite imagine the logistical nightmare of recalling 125,000 treadmills. These things required 3 delivery people each, which is a reason Peloton stopped delivering early in pandemic.
People can't mail them. Or drive them to the store.
— Dan Primack (@danprimack) May 5, 2021
