Thousands Of Treadmills Recalled Over Fire Hazard; Incidents Reported

A company is recalling thousands of its commercial treadmills due to an issue that may pose a fire hazard. There have been dozens of reports of the issue, including two that resulted in property damage.

The problem with Johnson Health Tech's recalled commercial treadmills is that the power cord can get loosened from the treadmill's power socket, thereby posing the fire hazard, the recall alert on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website noted.

As of the recall date, there have been 58 reports of the power cords and sockets "sparking, smoking and/or melting." Seven reports of fire, two of which resulted in property damage, have also been logged in connection with the products. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

Johnson Health Tech North America is already contacting all the known purchasers of the affected products, but the exercise facilities that have them are being advised to contact the company to have a power cord bracket installed. Until the units have been repaired, such facilities should make sure the power cord is "completely inserted into the power socket" of the treadmills before they are used, the recall alert noted.

Recalled Treadmills

The recall affects the Matrix Fitness T1X, T1xe, T3x and T3xh treadmill models with running platforms that are 60 inches long and 20 inches wide. Photos of the affected products as well as serial numbers for each model included in the recall are available on the CPSC website. The serial number and model name can be found at the bottom of the machine close to the power socket, the agency noted.

The treadmills were sold via Johnson Health Tech North America and Johnson Fitness & Wellness stores nationwide as well as online from August 2009 to October 2020. In total, some 19,900 units are affected by the recall.

Several affected units were also sold in Canada, where one incident has been reported. No injuries have been logged in the country, but Health Canada has urged consumers to stop using the treadmills and instead to unplug them and contact the company to have the "power cord keeper" installed.

Consumers may contact the company at 866-218-3674 or via email at reworks@johnsonfit.com.