Peloton is recalling about 125,000 of its Tread+ treadmills after being linked to numerous injuries and the death of a child.
The Associated Press reports that the recall comes weeks after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that people with children and pets immediately stop using the treadmill. At the time, the company stated that the Commission’s warning was “inaccurate and misleading,” and indicated that it would not pull the treadmills from the market, denying any danger the product posed.
However, in a reversal, the company has promised to offer full refunds for the Peloton Tread+ treadmill and to stop selling the $4200 product. The company has also said it would recall its Tread model treadmills — which were sold as part of a limited invitation-only release.
In a statement, Peloton CEO John Foley apologized for the company’s initial reaction to the Commission warning.
“The decision to recall both products was the right thing to do for Peloton’s Members and their families,” Foley’s statement read. “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.”
A spokesperson for the CPSC told the Associated Press that the agency is still testing the Tread+ treadmill, but that it appears that its design could make it more likely than other treadmill models to pull people, pets and other things under the machine.
