KID, CFA, and Public Citizen’s statement on Peloton Tread+ treadmill recall.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2021

Contact:
Nancy Cowles, KID, (312) 218-5593
Rachel Weintraub, CFA, (202) 904-4953
Remington Gregg, PC, (718) 619-2152

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Peloton Recalls Tread+ Treadmill After Child’s Death and Over 70 Incidents

Statement of Kids In Danger, Consumer Federation of America and Public Citizen

Washington, DC – Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Peloton announced a recall of the company’s Tread+ treadmills. The announcement comes after reports of injuries and at least one death, and a strong warning from the CPSC last month to avoid using the product. The Peloton Tread+ poses serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death. There have been over 70 incidents including one death as a result of children, pets or objects being pulled under the product.

Consumers should stop using the Peloton Tread and Tread+ treadmills immediately, move them to a place inaccessible to children, and contact the company for a refund.

While Peloton initially refused to recall the Tread+ despite calls for a recall from the CPSC, members of Congress, and consumer groups, “We applaud Peloton for doing the right thing now by taking responsibility, recalling this product, and providing refunds to consumers,” stated Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids In Danger. “Considering the demographics of Peloton users, it was clear that children would be in close proximity to the product and the danger posed by the product is likely not clear to their parents. Designing safety into a product is always more effective than warnings,” Cowles concluded.

“We thank the CPSC for being so tenacious in seeking an effective recall and we appreciate that Peloton, though it took too long, changed course and worked with the CPSC to recall the Tread+ today,” stated Rachel Weintraub, legislative director and general counsel with Consumer Federation of America. “We call on the CPSC and Peloton to take all steps possible to ensure that consumers are notified of the recall and that all recalled treadmills are removed from homes.”

“The announcement of Peloton’s Tread+ recall is huge,” said Remington A. Gregg, Counsel for Civil Justice and Consumer Rights at Public Citizen. “It shows what the CPSC can do as a regulatory agency when it flexes its muscle on behalf of consumer safety. We urge the CPSC to continue taking bold enforcement actions when necessary to protect our families. That said, a recall is only a first, though important, step. The CPSC must monitor the Tread+ recall to ensure that individuals are removing them from their homes and that they aren’t being sold on the secondary market. In many ways, the CPSC’s work to protect families from unsafe treadmills is just the beginning.”

In addition, the newer Peloton Tread treadmill was also recalled today due to the touchscreen detaching and falling from the product and posing a risk of injury. No injuries have yet been reported in the United States.