Bissell Vacuum Cleaner Recall Issued After Reports of Battery Fires, Burn Injuries

Recalled Bissell vacuums are the latest products impacted by lithium ion battery problems, which have been linked to a risk of fires, property damage and injuries.

Thousands of Bissell Multi Reach hand and floor vacuum cleaners have been recalled due to a risk that the lithium ion batteries may overheat and catch on fire, which has already resulted in several fires, injuries and reports involving property damage.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Bissell Vacuum Cleaner recall on February 1, warning that 142,000 Bissell vacuums in the United States and 14,600 in Canada may contain a defective lithium-ion battery, creating a fire risk.

To date, officials have received at least six reports of the vacuum’s battery pack catching on fire. The fires have resulted in at least three reports of minor property damage and two reports of minor burn injuries.

Lithium Ion Battery Risks

The recalled Bissell vacuum cleaners join a number of products plagued by issues with faulty lithium ion batteries.

Over the last several years, loosely regulated lithium-ion batteries manufactured without a high degree of quality control have been used to power popular mobile consumer products such as vaping pens, laptop battery packs, flashlights, electric vehicles, cordless tools and various other devices that require portable power.

The CPSC has received an overwhelming amount of reports involving problems with poorly manufactured lithium ion batteries experiencing short circuit and thermal runaway events, resulting in hundreds of serious injuring, some of which requiring hospitalization and even resulting in death.

In 2022, the CPSC issued a warning about the risks lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and other micro-mobility devices pose to consumers after the agency received more than 200 reports of fires, overheating and other incidents across the U.S. The various incidents resulted in nearly 20 fatal injuries.

Bissell Vacuum Cleaner Recall

The Bissell Multi Reach hand and floor vacuum recall impacts about 142,000 vacuums sold in a variety of colors, which have model numbers containing 19859, 1985T, 2151, 21512, 21513, 21517, 21518, 21519, 2151A, 2151T, 2151W, 2151V labeled “Multi Reach” and two model numbers 1985 and 19851 that may also be called “Multi Auto”.

They were distributed in retail stores from August 2016 through December 2022 at Lowe’s, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and other stores nationwide, as well as online at www.bissell.com, www.amazon.com, www.hsn.com, and other online sellers for prices ranging between $110 and $270.

Customers can identify whether their vacuum is included in the recall by checking the model number located on the product rating label behind the dirt tank. According to the recall, consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Bissell for instructions on depleting the charge on the battery and to receive a free replacement.

Consumers can contact BISSELL toll-free at 855-417-7001 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, or email at RecallNA@bissell.com or online at www.BISSELL.com/recall or www.BISSELL.com and click on “Product Recalls” located under the “Support Resources” column at the bottom of the page for more information.