Fitbit Ionic Recalls Impacts Nearly 1.7 Million Smartwatches Following Reports of Severe Burns, Injuries Fire and Burn Hazard

More than a million Fitbit smartwatches are being recalled following dozens of reports involving burn injuries that occurred after the fitness tracker battery overheated.

The Fitbit Ionic recall was announced today by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), after the Google-owned company received at least 115 reports of problems with the lithium-ion battery overheating.

At least 78 individuals in the U.S. have experienced Fitbit burn injuries from the Ionic Smartwatches, with 4 cases involving second-degree burns and 2 cases of third-degree burns.

Available in brick and mortar stores like Best Buy, Target, and Kohl’s as well as online through Amazon.com and Fitbit.com, over 1 million Fitbit Ionic smartwatches have been sold in the U.S., with a retail price from $200 to $330. Close to another 700,000 of the recalled Fitbit watches were sold internationally between September 2017 and December 2021.

The recalled Ionic smartwatches were last produced by Fitbit in 2020, and were marketed as a GPS device, intended to track physical activity, heart rate, and sleep, as well as provide health and wellness insights.

The Fitbit recall impacts Ionic Smartwatch with model numbers: Ionic FB503CPBU, Ionic FB503GYBK, Ionic FB503WTGY, and Ionic FB503WTNV. The model number can be found on the back of the device close to where the band attaches. The affected watches have a polyurethane band, a 1.4-inch color LCD screen, and were sold in slate blue/burnt orange, charcoal/smoke gray, blue gray/silver gray, and were also sold as an Adidas special edition in blue and silver gray. All have “Fitbit” printed on the front of the watch.

No other Fitbit smartwatches or fitness trackers are being recalled at this time due to battery problems, and it is unclear what design choices are resulting in the Ionic burn injuries.

Consumers who own a Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch are being cautioned to immediately stop the use of the device, and contact Fitbit to begin the return process. Fitbit will provide a pre-paid package for the return of all recalled Ionic Smartwatches. Once that package is received by Fitbit a refund of $299 will be issued. Participating consumers will also be provided a discount code for 40% off of select Fitbit devices.

Consumers who have questions or wish to begin the return process can contact Fitbit toll-free by phone at 888-925-1764 or by visiting their website online.