NordicTrack Recalls 45,000 Rowing Machines After Reports Of Fire Hazard

Recently, the fitness company iFIT Health & Fitness announced the recall of 45,000 NordicTrack rowing machines over concerns that the console screen can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall, adding to a growing list of fitness products scheduled for recall. Cases like this underscore the importance of consumer awareness when it comes to exercise equipment safety.

The recall 

The impacted models, which were marketed under the popular NordicTrack RW900 series, feature a touchscreen console that guides workouts and streams fitness content. According to the recall notice, the console’s internal components can sometimes overheat. The consoles are prone to overheating, which poses a risk of fire, burn, or smoke inhalation.

Thus far, iFIT has received around 11 reports of the consoles overheating. This includes cases of melting and property damage. Happily, no injuries have been reported. Consumers are instructed to stop using the rowing machines immediately and contact iFIT to schedule a free in-home repair or obtain detailed instructions on how to fix the problem.

This recall covers units sold online and in major retail stores across the country from October 2018 through September 2024. They were priced between $1,500 and $1,800.

Why this recall is important 

In the past, treadmills and ellipticals have been recalled for electrical malfunctions. This recall, however, raises legal and safety concerns about connected fitness equipment. Those are devices that blend physical motion, high-wattage motors, and streaming electronics.

The “smart” rowing machines integrate digital interfaces that can generate heat over the course of a workout. If manufacturers fail to design proper ventilation or thermal controls, consumers can face serious risks of fire or electrical injury, even when the machine is used as intended.

This combination of a foreseeable use with a hidden hazard creates a classic product-liability scenario involving potential claims for design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn.

Steps for impacted consumers 

Those who own a recalled NordicTrack rowing machine should:

• Stop using the machine immediately until the repairs have been completed.
• Visit the CPSC recall page or iFIT’s official recall page to confirm your model and serial number.
• Register for a free repair through the company’s website or online.
• Document everything: Take photographs, save your receipt, serial labels, and any correspondence you have with the company.
• Preserve the unit if any damage or fire occurs. Do not attempt to fix this yourself. That could destroy evidence or void your claim.

If you’ve been injured by the rowing machine, you should also contact a qualified Florida product liability attorney before returning or disposing of the unit. Preserving this evidence could be critical to proving a product liability claim.

Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today 

Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of Florida residents who have been injured by dangerous or defective products. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.