Hoverboard Recall Cites Fire Hazard

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 10 firms have recalled more than 500,000 hoverboards — or self-balancing scooters[1]. According to the recall, the two-wheeled device is a potential fire hazard. So far, there have been at least 99 incidents reported in which the battery packs of the hoverboards overheated, sparked, began smoking, caught fire, or exploded. This has led to multiple reports of burn injuries to riders, as well as property damage.

A report in CNET at the end of last year detailed potential reasons why the hoverboards catch fire[2]. They suggest that the lithium ion battery packs in the hoverboards contain a highly flammable liquid. If the battery short-circuits, it can heat up quickly and explode.

Earlier this year, the CPSC warned hoverboard manufacturers that if they failed to meet new safety requirements, they would face a recall. The product has been banned in numerous areas such as airlines, railroads, and various colleges throughout the country due to the safety hazards they pose. The recall includes companies such as Swagway LLC (which had 267,000 of their hoverboards recalled) and Keenford, and include hoverboards that were sold between June 2015 and May 2016.

The CPSC has warned owners of the recalled hoverboards to stop using the products immediately. Consumers can either return the item for a full refund, receive a free replacement, or have the hoverboard repaired for free. These were a popular item around the holidays, but have since shown up on numerous online videos exploding and catching fire.

One company, Razor USA LLC, had 28,000 Hovertrax model hoverboards recalled and stopped manufacturing their model this year once the new safety standards were introduced. They are introducing the Hovertrax 2.0 model next month, which will not only meet new safety standards but also include an automatic leveling feature to mitigate serious falls.

If you have been seriously harmed by the use of a hoverboard, you may be able to take action against the manufacturer. At Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman, our defective product attorneys have the experience to represent you against manufacturers whose products cause serious harm. Call us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we may be able to help you.