Fitbit recalls 1.7 million Ionic smartwatches due to burn hazard

Fitness tracker Fitbit is recalling nearly two million smartwatches due to a potential burn hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said Wednesday.

The recall only includes Fitbit Ionic smartwatch models, according to the CPSC, because of a lithium-ion battery that can overheat, posing a burn hazard to users. The recall affects one million devices sold in the U.S. between September 2017 and December 2021, as well as 693,000 devices sold internationally.

“Fitbit has received at least 115 reports in the United States (and 59 reports internationally) of the battery in the watch overheating with 78 reports of burn injuries in the United States including two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns (and 40 reports of burn injuries internationally),” the agency said.

Consumers who own a Fitbit Ionic device should stop using it immediately and contact Fitbit for pre-paid return packaging. Consumers will receive a $299 refund once the device is received. Fitbit will also offer a discount code for 40% off select Fitbit devices to those who participate.

“Customer safety is always Fitbit’s top priority and out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a voluntary recall of Fitbit Ionic smartwatches. We received a very limited number of injury reports - the totals in the CPSC announcement represent less than 0.01% of units sold - of the battery in Fitbit Ionic smartwatches overheating, posing a burn hazard. These incidents are very rare and this voluntary recall does not impact other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers,” Fitbit said in a statement.

Those who are affected should contact Fitbit at 888-925-1764, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or go to help.fitbit.com/ionic for more information.