Britax B.O.B. Jogging Stroller Lawsuit Filed By U.S. CPSC, Seeking Recall Wheel Detachment Risk

Federal regulators have filed a lawsuit against Britax, calling for a recall of almost half a million B.O.B. jogging strollers, which may have dangerous design defects that pose a risk of injury for children and adults if the wheels detachment. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) filed the complaint (PDF) last week against Britax Child Safety, Inc., after the company refused to issue a stroller recall for certain products that feature a front wheel quick release, which may not properly secure the wheel, causing it to fall off suddenly while in use.

“When the front wheel of the stroller detaches, the front fork can dig into the ground and cause the stroller to stop abruptly and tip over, posing a risk of serious injuries to children in the stroller and adults operating the stroller,” the CPSC warned in a press release. “Since January 2012, approximately 200 consumers have reported front wheel detachments while using the stroller, resulting in at least 97 injuries to children and adult consumers. At least 50 children and 47 adults have been injured.”

The injuries have included concussions, head and face injuries requiring stitches, dental injuries, contusions and abrasions among children, the CPSC warns. Adults have faced injuries including bone fractures, torn ligaments, torn labrum, contusions and abrasions.

The CPSC seeks an administrative judgment to have the strollers declared a substantial product hazard and an order requiring the strollers to be recalled and pulled from the market.

The order indicates that about 493,000 single and double occupant B.O.B. jogging strollers are affected. The strollers were imported and distributed between December 2011 and September 2015. However, the CPSC also warns that an undetermined number were imported by B.O.B. Trailers, Inc. between 1997 and December 2011, when it was acquired by Britax.

The CPSC is seeking a recall for 17 models, including the Ironman, Ironman Duallie, Revolution, Revolution CE, Revolution Flex, Revolution Flex Duallie, Revolution Pro, Revolution Pro Duallie, Revolution SE, Revolution SE Demo, Revolution SE Duallie, Revolution SE Duallie Plus, Revolution SE Plus, Sport Utility Stroller, Stroller Strides, Stroller Strides Duallie and SUS Duallie.

The strollers were sold at mass retailers and independent stores for between $400 and $650.

The administrative complaint, approved by the CPSC in a 3-to-1 vote, seeks a court order declaring the strollers a substantial hazard and requiring Britax to cease distribution, notify state and local public health authorities of the problems, give a public notice of the stroller defects and injuries, notify distributors and retailers, and mail notice to all consumers to whom the strollers were sold of the problems.

The complaint also calls for Britax to repair, replace or refund purchase of the strollers with no charge to consumers, as well as to reimburse them for any expenses they may have incurred.