Horizon Fitness Treadmill Recall Issued Following Dozens of Injury Reports

The recall comes after more than 800 complaints of the folding treadmills changing speed unexpectedly

Nearly 200,000 Horizon folding treadmills are being recalled following hundreds of reports involving problems where the treadmill unexpectedly accelerated or slowed down, resulting in dozens of reported injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Horizon treadmill recall on October 27, following at least 874 reports of the treadmills unexpectedly changing speed or stopping abruptly, which may cause users to fall, posing a risk of serious injury.

According to the CPSC,  Horizon has received at least 71 injury reports from consumers, including bruises, abrasions and two broken bones.

Thousands of treadmill injuries are reported annually, with the CPSC indicating that an estimated 22,500 people were treated for treadmill-related injuries in emergency departments across the U.S. in 2019, and approximately 15,800 were treated for a treadmill injury in 2020.

The recall affects  about 199,000 Horizon Fitness Treadmills marked with model number T101-05 China and serial numbers beginning with TM734, and T101-05 Vietnam models that have serial numbers beginning with TM486. Customers may locate the model and the serial on the metal frame near the power switch.

The recalled treadmills are equipped with a running area that measures 55 inches long by 20 inches wide and has a 33-inch-wide console. The treadmills also have red LED’s on the display that provide workout information.

Customers may have purchased the recalled folding treadmills from Dicks Sporting Goods, Johnson Fitness, or other wellness stores nationwide or online at Horizon Fitness, Amazon, Dicks Sporting Goods, and Johnson Fitness. The treadmills were sold from March 2018 through October 2022 for between $600 and $1,000.

The recalled treadmills were manufactured in China and Vietnam and imported by Johnson Health Tech Trading of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. The CPSC reports an estimated 192,000 units were distributed throughout the U.S. while another 7,000 were distributed for sale in Canada.

Customers are being instructed to stop using the recalled folding treadmills immediately and to contact Horizon Fitness at 888-223-1045 or visit their website at https://www.horizonfitness.com/support/recall to receive a free USB with a software repair to install on the treadmills.

Peloton Treadmill Class Action Lawsuit

A similar treadmill recall was issued last year in May, involving an estimated 150,000 Peloton Tread+ Treadmills that featured a dangerous design that may allow children or pets to get pulled under the rear roller of the machine.

Prior to the Peloton treadmill recall, the CPSC independently issued warnings about the Peloton treadmill risks on April 17, urging consumers to stop using the products if they have pets or young children. At that time, the agency indicated 72 reports of adult users, children, pets and/or objects being pulled under the rear of the treadmill, including 29 reports of injuries to children such as second- and third-degree abrasions, broken bones, and lacerations.

Just days following that recall, Shannon Albright filed a treadmill lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking class action status for owners of the recalled Pelaton products, who paid thousands of dollars for the machines, as well as large subscription fees.

Albright’s lawsuit accused Peloton of intentionally misleading consumers through advertisements, false statements and misrepresentations to believe the devices were safe for those with families. The complaint indicates consumers paid a premium, $4,295 plus monthly subscription fees, under the false belief the machines would be safe to bring into their homes, and should be compensated for the financial harm they suffered.