Peloton Treadmills Recalled – Full Refunds Offered

After one child died, one suffered brain damage, and many other children were injured, Peloton recalled its Tread+ treadmills and offered an apology for not following the government’s advice.

Last month, I wrote about reports of the Peloton Tread + posing fatal risks to children and pets.  One video posted online by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) showed nanny camera footage of children (who apparently turned on the treadmill by themselves) playing on the treadmill, and then one of them, a toddler,  being pulled underneath the machine.  This child only suffered minor injuries, but another child, age 3,  was found underneath a Tread+ treadmill, blue, unresponsive, and not breathing.  He was eventually revived with CPR, but he suffered brain damage due to being without oxygen for a prolonged period of time.  In another Tread+ incident, a 6 year old died.  Details of the death have been withheld from the press.  The CPSC issued a warning about the Tread+ in April, and it urged consumers to immediately stop using the machine.  It recommended that Peloton recall the Tread+.  CPSC pointed out that the machine can cause injury to pets and children, even while an adult is present.  A video provided by a consumer showed a large ball being pulled underneath the machine, causing the machine to tip upwards while she was running on it – and while  her toddler and dog were nearby.

In all, the CPSC has received 72 reports of the Tread+ pulling objects, pets and people underneath it.  The Tread+ has slots on the belt that help the belt bend as it rotates around the machine.  In addition, the Tread+ has a gap between its bottom and the floor – and there is no cover over the gap at the rear of the treadmill, allowing for children and pets to be pulled under.

In response to CPSC’s initial warning and press release about the Tread+ dangers, Peloton released the following statement:

“The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s unilateral press release about the Peloton Tread+ treadmill is inaccurate and misleading. The Tread+ is safe for Members to use in their homes and comes with safety instructions and warnings to ensure its safe use. Like all motorized exercise equipment, the Tread+ can pose hazards if the warnings and safety instructions are not followed. The Tread+ is not for children under 16. Peloton warns Members not to let children use the Tread+ and to keep children, pets, and objects away from the Tread+ at all times. Any owner of a treadmill – whether made by Peloton or not – should follow these warnings, as they are included in the applicable safety standards, which the Peloton Tread+ meets.”

Now, however, Peloton has issued an apology for not following the CPSC’s advice, and the company is offering a full refund to all owners of the Tread+.  The recalled Treadmill is model number TR-01, which was called “Tread” from August 2018 – September 2020, and then underwent a name change to “Tread+.”

The CPSC has posted details of the Tread+ recall, and details of how to obtain a refund are provided here.  Consumers wanting a refund can call Peloton at 844-410-0141, or they can go to www.onepeloton.com and click on “Product Recalls” at the bottom of the page for information.