On May 5, Peloton voluntarily recalled the Tread+ and Tread exercise machines, according to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). About 125,000 products were included in the recall, and CPSC urges consumers to stop using them immediately.
The Tread—a limited invitation-only product that costs $2,495—was recalled because of “18 reports of the touchscreen loosening and six reports of the touchscreen detaching and falling,” according to its recall notice. No injuries were reported in America, but people obtained minor injuries in Canada and the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, the $4,295 Tread+ was recalled because children, pets, and objects have been pulled underneath it. “A 6-year-old child recently died after being pulled under the rear of the treadmill,” says the Tread+ recall notice. “In addition, Peloton has received 72 reports of adult users, children, pets and/or objects being pulled under the rear of the treadmill, including 29 reports of injuries to children such as second- and third-degree abrasions, broken bones, and lacerations.”
The CPSC first issued a warning regarding the Tread+ on April 17, and they urged consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately. Around that time, a video posted online showed a child being dragged underneath the Tread+ as they tried retrieving a ball that got sucked underneath it (thankfully, the child escaped without major injury).
Despite the guidance from the CPSC, however, Peloton CEO John Foley claimed that the Tread+ was safe if users followed all warnings and safety instructions. He also stated that Peloton didn't intend to recall or stop sales of the Tread+. Now Peloton has taken the opposite stance and apologized for their initial response.
"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," Foley said. He added that Peloton will "work with the CPSC to set new industry safety standards for treadmills."
Consumers should stop using the recalled treadmills immediately, and they can contact Peloton for a full refund. If you would rather keep the treadmill, Peloton is offering other options:
- For the Tread+, Peloton will move it "free of charge to a room where children or pets cannot access the treadmill." They're also implementing automatic locking capabilities, a 4-digit passcode to unlock the machine, and other software improvements.
- For the Tread, Peloton is offering a free inspection and repair, and a timeline for these services should be given in the coming weeks, the CPSC report says.
Peloton treadmills, especially the Tread+, have become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as families adjust to exercising at home. It resembles a normal treadmill with a motorized slat belt, but it also has Peloton’s signature touch screen for virtual training.
Parents should be cautious with any kind of treadmill—not just the Tread and Tread+—around children, as they can cause serious accidents and injuries. Kids can be thrown off moving treadmills or get body parts caught in the belt. Treadmill cords also pose choking hazards for little ones.
Read the Tread recall here.
Read the Tread+ recall here.
