Rochester, New York – A recall has been issued for 300,000 self-balancing electric skateboards after four deaths were reported due to a crash hazard, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The reason behind the recall is the potential for the skateboards to stop balancing the rider if the board’s limits are exceeded, posing a serious risk of injury or death.
The manufacturer, Future Motion, has received numerous reports of incidents related to the recalled skateboards, including the four tragic deaths reported between 2019 and 2021. These deaths were attributed to head trauma, with three of the riders not wearing helmets at the time of the accidents. Additionally, injuries such as traumatic brain injury, concussion, paralysis, fractures, and ligament damage have been reported in connection with the electric skateboards.
Sold online at various platforms including the manufacturer’s website, other websites, and independent shops nationwide from January 2014 to September 2023, the Onewheel Electric Skateboards were priced between $1,050 and $2,200. Consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the skateboards.
For owners of the Onewheel GT, Onewheel Pint X, Onewheel Pint, or Onewheel+ XR electric skateboards, it is recommended to download or update the Onewheel app and perform a firmware update to include Haptic Buzz alert functionality. This feature provides tactile and audible warnings to the rider when nearing the board’s limits, low battery levels, or error states.
To facilitate the recall process, consumers with the Original Onewheel or Onewheel+ model can arrange for a pro-rated refund in the form of a store credit after confirming disposal of the product. Future Motion can be contacted online or by phone for further assistance. Riders are also reminded to prioritize safety by wearing helmets and protective gear while using electric skateboards to prevent accidents and injuries.