LOS ANGELES, California – In a recent announcement, federal regulators revealed that all models of Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards are being recalled due to safety concerns. The recall comes after reports of at least four deaths and multiple injuries linked to the skateboards in recent years.
The recall affects approximately 300,000 Onewheel skateboards manufactured by California-based Future Motion. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, these skateboards can pose a risk of serious crashes if their limits are exceeded, leading to a loss of balance for the rider.
Future Motion has received numerous incident reports related to these skateboards, with four reported deaths between 2019 and 2021, as well as incidents resulting in paralysis, traumatic brain injury, fractures, and ligament damage. The CPSC emphasized that at least three of the reported deaths were a result of head trauma, with riders failing to wear helmets in those instances.
Owners of impacted Onewheel skateboards have been advised to stop using them immediately. The recall encompasses all models of Onewheel electric skateboards sold online and through independent retailers from January 2014 through September of this year.
To address the safety concerns, a new safety alert feature known as “haptic buzz” will be introduced through a firmware update for certain Onewheel models in the near future. Riders can check their board’s eligibility and access information on installing the update via Future Motion’s website.
Individuals with original Onewheel and Onewheel+ boards are not eligible for the firmware update. Eligible riders are offered a prorated refund of $100 in store credit after returning the product. The Onewheel team stressed the importance of rider safety, urging all riders to wear helmets and other protective gear.
Prior to this latest recall, the CPSC had previously cautioned consumers to refrain from using Onewheel electric skateboards due to ejection hazards stemming from reports of death and injuries. At that time, Future Motion had resisted initiating a recall until reaching an agreement with the CPSC.
Future Motion’s Onewheel team described the recent recall as the result of extensive collaboration with the CPSC. Additional details or comments from Future Motion regarding the recall were not immediately available.