Peloton Recalls Treadmills After Danger to Children and Pets

In the wake of a proposed class-action lawsuit and consumer frustration, Peloton officially recalled approximately 125,000 treadmills over safety risks to children and pets.

In the wake of a proposed class-action lawsuit and consumer frustration, Peloton officially recalled approximately 125,000 treadmills over safety risks to children and pets. The popular fitness company received strong criticism for initially failing to cooperate with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) when they issued an official warning about the product in April 2021. The CPSC’s investigation was sparked after 39 reported injuries and the death of a child in March 2021. Following these events, the CEO of Peloton admitted to a “handful of incidents” in which other children were hurt, and the company finally issued a formal recall several weeks later.

The CEO of Peloton recently agreed to recall the treadmills.

After experiencing strong pushback from consumers and the CPSC over failing to take corrective action, Peloton CEO John Foley issued a statement apologizing for not cooperating sooner. Peloton officially issued a recall of approximately 125,000 treadmills ranging from $2,495 to $4,295 apiece before the cost of ongoing subscriptions. Peloton is offering a full refund for their treadmill products as they work to “set new industry safety standards for treadmills” according to Foley. However, this recall does not change the fact that children and pets were injured and even killed by the defective treadmills.

The risk of injury with Peloton treadmills primarily applies to young children and pets.

The primary risk for young children and pets associated with Peloton’s treadmills is the possibility of being sucked into and caught under the machine while it is turned on. Resulting injuries range from bruising and abrasion to broken bones, permanent
brain injury, and even death. The CPSC has noted that the possibility for severe injury exists with or without parental supervision, making it unsafe for homes in which young children or pets also live.

However, the proposed lawsuit points to one picture in particular used by Peloton for marketing purposes in which a mother and her young child are working out together next to the device; the complaint alleges that this alone is evidence that the product was marketed as appropriate for family environments. Disturbingly, many of the child injuries associated with the Peloton treadmills have occurred with children playing in the same area as the child in the picture.

There are allegedly several problems with these treadmills.

According to a statement from the CPSC to Wired, the specific factors that make these treadmills so dangerous include “...a unique slatted belt, a lack of a guard at the rear, and a large clearance underneath the treadmill.” While the potential defects with these products are still being investigated, it’s notable that the level of clearance between the treadmill and the floor is what allows children and pets to catch fingers, hands, paws, and more in the belt, before getting sucked under the machine where additional injuries may occur. Those who want to learn more about the recall, request a repair, or request a refund can visit Peloton’s official Tread+ and Tread recall page.