Rochester, New York – A recall has been issued for 300,000 self-balancing electric skateboards after reports of multiple deaths linked to a crash hazard. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall due to concerns that the skateboards can stop balancing the rider if the limits of the board are exceeded, resulting in potential serious injuries or fatalities.
The manufacturer Future Motion has received numerous incident reports related to the recalled skateboards, including four deaths reported between 2019 and 2021. The fatalities were a result of head trauma, with three of the riders not wearing helmets. Additionally, injuries such as traumatic brain injury, concussion, paralysis, and fractures have also been reported.
The recalled Onewheel Electric Skateboards were sold online at various outlets and independent shops nationwide from January 2014 through September 2023 for prices ranging from $1,050 to $2,200. Consumers are advised to discontinue use of the skateboards and take necessary precautions.
Those with the Onewheel GT, Onewheel Pint X, Onewheel Pint, or Onewheel+ XR electric skateboards are urged to download or update the Onewheel app and install the firmware update to include Haptic Buzz alert functionality. This feature provides riders with tactile and audible warnings when nearing the board’s limits or encountering low battery or error states.
Riders are strongly encouraged to wear helmets and other protective gear for their safety. Consumers with the Original Onewheel or Onewheel+ model can arrange for a pro-rated refund in the form of a store credit upon confirmation of product disposal.
For additional information or to initiate the refund process, consumers can visit the recall website or contact Future Motion directly. Awareness and adherence to safety precautions are vital to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of electric skateboard users.