Walmart Recalls Nearly 1 Million Ozark Trail Water Bottles After Lid Ejections Injure Customers
In July 2025, Walmart issued a voluntary recall on about 850,000 Ozark Trail 64-ounce stainless steel insulated water bottles after reports that their screw-cap lids could forcefully eject when opened, striking the user and causing serious injuries.
Understanding the hazard
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the defect arises when perishable beverages, carbonated drinks, or food residue are stored inside the bottle over time. Pressure can then build up, causing the tightly sealed cap to pop off with serious force. When someone opens the bottle, the lid can become a dangerous projectile.
Walmart had received three reports of injuries, two of which resulted in permanent vision loss after the lid struck a customer in the eye. The bottles were sold in 2017 at around $15 per bottle. They could be found at Walmart stores nationwide and online.
The recall
The CPSC recall notice directs consumers to immediately stop using the recalled bottles. The remedy offered by the company includes a full refund. Consumers can return the bottle to any Walmart store or contact Walmart for reimbursement.
Did Walmart delay issuing the recall?
The official recall was in 2025. However, reporting and investigative sources suggest that Walmart was aware of the issue for several years. Documents reviewed by the Washington Post indicate that as early as 2018, Walmart had been notified about “exploding cap” incidents and internal scrutiny around misuse vs. design defect.
In 2020, Walmart reportedly added cautionary inserts warning consumers not to store perishable or carbonated beverages in the bottles. The labels essentially discouraged misuse by prescribing “water only” usage. After the label change, reported incidents declined until another injury in 2024 triggered regulatory pressure and ultimately the recall.
This raises questions concerning when the duty to recall arises, internal notice logs, and whether the company’s prior label modifications were adequate given foreseeable misuse.
Product liability
This recall involves a product with a core defect. A plaintiff could argue that a safer design was possible, such as a vent, rather than relying on the consumer’s behavior to avoid the hazard.
The fact that Walmart later inserted cautionary labels suggests the company both recognized the risk and knew of it before people were injured. Had they recalled the bottles earlier, it is likely they could have prevented these injuries.
The injuries reported include some catastrophic outcomes, especially permanent vision loss. In litigation, the link between lid ejection and injury is direct and traceable, giving plaintiffs strong causation grounds.
Since Walmart chose to provide refunds rather than replacement or redesign, questions can arise as to whether the remedy is sufficient and whether Walmart acted promptly once awareness was raised.
Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today
Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of plaintiffs in product liability lawsuits filed against negligent companies. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your claims right away.
Source:
cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Walmart-Recalls-Ozark-Trail-64-oz-Water-Bottles-Due-to-Serious-Impact-and-Laceration-Hazards
