UPDATE: 12 Recent Battery-Related Product Recalls

NOTE: We are updating this August 29 feature with new information: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers of micromobility products—including e-bikes, e-scooters, self-balancing scooters (hoverboards), and e-unicycles—not to use chargers that are marketed as "universal" or suitable with general categories of micromobility devices to avoid fires and injury or death, unless they have been tested and approved to work safely with your device.

Chargers marketed as "universal" or suitable for general categories of micromobility devices may fit into your device but still be incompatible with it. Each micromobility battery has specific charging needs that require the use of a compatible charger. Chargers with descriptions such as "suitable for use with e-bikes" or "suitable for use with X brand e-bikes" may be incompatible with your device. Using an incompatible charger can cause the battery to ignite and result in a serious fire. Between January 1, 2024, and May 16, 2024, CPSC received 156 reports of fire and thermal incidents involving "universal" chargers for micromobility products, including reports of serious injuries and property damage.

On September 5, 2024, CPSC issued a press release warning the public of the fire hazard posed by SafPow SPC-42020 and AMPOWSURE ASP-C10S42020 battery chargers because they pose a risk of serious injury and death. Notably, SafPow and AMPOWSURE have refused to conduct a recall. 

SafPow and Ampowsure CPSC

Battery-related recalls are serious—and unfortunately common—occurrences across various industries, including consumer electronics, medical devices, and portable power tools.

Safety concerns typically trigger these recalls, including risks of fire, explosion, or chemical leakage, which can cause severe injuries or property damage. The most common culprits are manufacturing defects, such as improper assembly, the use of substandard materials, or contamination during the production process. Additionally, design flaws that lead to thermal runaway—where a battery overheats uncontrollably—are frequent triggers for recalls.

Regulatory agencies like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the European Safety Commission, or equivalent national bodies typically order these recalls. However, manufacturers may also voluntarily initiate recalls to prevent potential harm and avoid further liability. The process often begins when a pattern of safety incidents is detected, either through consumer reports, internal testing, or third-party evaluations. If a defect is found to pose significant risks, a recall is issued, and affected products are either repaired, replaced, or refunded.

Battery recalls can have severe financial and reputational repercussions for manufacturers. Beyond the direct costs of replacing or repairing defective products, companies may face lawsuits, regulatory fines, and a loss of consumer trust. Moreover, as batteries become more ubiquitous in everyday devices, the need for advanced safety protocols, including rigorous testing and certification processes, becomes more important.In this piece, we’ll take a look at ten recent battery-related product recalls in the news.