On Wednesday, the company said that it will offer full refunds for the treadmills, which cost $4,295, and will stop selling them. The recall comes with an apology from Peloton CEO, John Foley, who said that the company “made a mistake” in fighting the commission’s request for a recall.
The commission issued the warning and recall request because it had received 72 reports of children, pets, and other objects being pulled under the treadmill. Twenty-nine of those reports involved children who were injured by the treadmill, including children with broken bones, brain injuries, and cuts. One six-year-old child died from his injuries. The potential dangers of the exercise machines were highlighted in a video showing a child being pulled under a Pelton treadmill which was posted to YouTube.
For those that want to keep their treadmill, Peloton is working on software improvements that will automatically lock the Tread+ after use and require a four-digit passcode to unlock it. This will be offered to customers in the coming weeks. The company has also offered to move customers’ treadmills to a locked room.
In the meantime, customers should unplug the treadmill and stop using it.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to a Peloton treadmill, please call our defective product attorneys at (630) 527-1595 for a FREE evaluation of your claim. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.