About one million Fitbit Ionic Smartwatches sold in the U.S. are being recalled. The lithium-ion battery in the Ionic smartwatch can overheat, posing a burn hazard. Another 693,000 sold internationally are also being recalled.
Fitbit has received at least 115 reports in the United States, and 59 reports internationally, of the watch’s battery overheating, with 78 reports of burn injuries in the United States, including two reports of third-degree burns, four reports of second-degree burns and 40 reports of burn injuries internationally.
The watches were sold at Best Buy, Kohl’s, Target and other stores in the United States and online at Amazon.com and Fitbit.com from September 2017 through December 2021 for between $200 to $330. Fitbit stopped production of Ionic in 2020.
This recall only involves the Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch. It was sold with a polyurethane band and has a 1.4-inch color LCD screen. The watches were sold in slate blue/burnt orange, charcoal/smoke gray, blue gray/silver-gray, and a special edition ink blue/silver-gray co-branded with Adidas.
The smartwatch tracks activity, heart rate, and sleep. Only the following models and colors are included in this recall. For the Ionic device, the model number FB503 is on the back of the watch near where the band attaches. Fitbit is printed on the front of the Ionic Smartwatch. The models include:
- Ionic FB503CPBU, Slate Blue/Burnt Orange
- Ionic FB503GYBK, Charcoal/Smoke Gray
- Ionic FB503WTGY, Blue Gray/Silver Gray
- Adidas edition, Ionic FB503WTNV, Ink Blue & Ice Gray/Silver Gray (Adidas edition)
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Ionic Smartwatches and contact Fitbit to receive pre-paid packaging to return the watch. Upon receipt, consumers will be issued a refund of $299. Fitbit will also provide participating consumers with a discount code for 40 percent off select Fitbit devices.
Fitbit contact information:
888.925. 1764 (24 hours/7 days a week)
fitbit.com/ionic, fitbit.com, or fitbitionic.expertinquiry.com
Photo courtesy Fitbit/WSJ
