Peloton Announces Voluntary Recall of Tread and Tread+ Machines Over Safety Concerns

Peloton announced on May 5 two separate voluntary recalls of its treadmills, one for its Tread+ and another for its Tread, over safety concerns. This came after the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said last month that it had become aware of 39 accidents involving the Tread+, including "multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product." The number of reported accidents has since grown to 72 with 29 of those reports specifically citing children being left with abrasions, broken bones, and lacerations. A 6-year-old also died in an incident involving the Tread+.

Peloton pushed back in April and said it would not be recalling its machines, but in a statement released on May 5, CEO John Foley said that was an oversight on the company's part. "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+," he said. "We should have engaged more productively with them from the outset. For that, I apologize."

Approximately 126,050 total US treadmills are included in the recall: 1,050 Treads with model number TR02 and 125,000 Tread+ machines with model number TR01. The recall requires Peloton to immediately stop selling and distributing both of these machines and to offer refunds (call 844-410-0141 with any questions about such refunds, and read up on more steps to take in light of the recall).

A Peloton spokesperson told POPSUGAR that the company does not have information to share about future sales of the treadmills. "Our goal is to be the largest and safest home fitness brand in the world. Although both the Tread and Tread+ were designed to applicable industry safety standards, given our goal of being the world leader in connected fitness experiences and safety, pausing sales of both of these products is the right course of action at this time."

It's recommended that consumers immediately cease from using the recalled Tread+ and contact Peloton for a full refund until November 6, 2022. After that date, people can receive a partial refund. And, Peloton is offering those who do not wish to send back their Tread+ machines the option of moving the Tread+ "free of charge" to a room where children and pets cannot access it. According to the recall announcement, Peloton is also "implementing software improvements" to automatically lock the Tread+ after use and require a four-digit unlock code.

These machines were sold online and at Peloton showrooms from September 2018 through April 2021 for $4,295.

It's also recommended that people immediately stop using the recalled Tread and inquire about a full refund from Peloton. The company is offering the option of free inspection and repair that will secure the touchscreen, which can detach and fall (there have been 18 reports of the touchscreen loosening and six reports of the touchscreen detaching and falling, according to the CPSC, but no injuries were reported in the US). This repair will be offered to Tread owners in the coming weeks.

Tread machines were sold as a "limited invitation-only release" online and at Peloton showrooms from November 2020 through March 2021 for $2,495.