Peloton recalls treadmills after death of child, dozens of injuries
Peloton said it was recalling its Tread+ treadmill following the death of a child and dozens of reported injuries related to the machine.
The child, aged 6 years, died after being pulled under the rear of the treadmill, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which noted 72 other reported incidents of adults, children, pets or objects being pulled under the machines. They include 29 reports of injuries to children, such as second- and third-degree abrasions, broken bones and lacerations.
The CPSC said consumers should immediately stop using the recalled machine, model number TR01, and contact Peloton for a full refund, which will be offered through Nov. 6, 2022.
Additionally, the company and CPSC, in conjunction with Canada, issued another recall on the Peloton Tread treadmill, an earlier version, following 18 reports of the machine’s touchscreen loosening, and six reports of the screen becoming detached and falling, which poses a risk for injury.
“The decision to recall both products was the right thing to do for Peloton’s members and their families,” Peloton CEO John Foley said in a statement.
In April, the CPSC issued a warning about the Tread+ following the child’s death and 39 reported incidents. The CPSC then announced an investigation into the machine, which led to the announcement of the recall.
In a statement at the time, Peloton called the warning “inaccurate and misleading” and said there was “no reason to stop using the Tread+, as long as all warnings and safety instructions are followed.”
Foley called that response “a mistake.”
“We should have engaged more productively with them from the outset,” he said. “For that, I apologize.”
References:
Peloton. CPSC and Peloton announce: Recall of Tread+ treadmills after one child death and 70 incidents; recall of tread treadmills due to risk of injury. https://www.onepeloton.com/press/articles/tread-and-tread-recall. Accessed May 5, 2021.
Peloton. Peloton refutes consumer product safety commission claims. https://investor.onepeloton.com/news-releases/news-release-details/peloton-refutes-consumer-product-safety-commission-claims. Accessed May 5, 2021.
US CPSC. Peloton recalls Tread+ treadmills after one child died and more than 70 incidences reported. https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/peloton-recalls-tread-plus-treadmills-after-one-child-died-and-more-than-70-incidents. Accessed May 5, 2021.
US CPSC. CPSC warns consumers: Stop using the Peloton Tread+. https://cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2021/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-Stop-Using-the-Peloton-Tread. Accessed May 5, 2021.