Photo: Dedi Grigoroiu (Shutterstock)
Fitness tech manufacturer Fitbit has issued a voluntary recall of roughly one million of their Ionic smartwatches sold in the United States following reports that the product’s battery overheats to the point of burning the wearer’s skin, according to an announcement from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall also includes the 693,000 watches that were sold internationally.
Here’s what to know about the recall, including how to file a claim for a refund.
Why are Fitbit Ionic smartwatches being recalled?
After receiving reports of injuries from customers in locations around the world who had purchased their Ionic smartwatch, Fitbit conducted an internal investigation to pinpoint the cause. Turns out, the lithium-ion battery in the watch can overheat, putting the wearer at risk for skin burns. According to Fitbit, the faulty battery was only present “in very limited instances,” and that the recall has been issued “out of an abundance of caution.”
As of March 2, Fitbit had received at least 175 reports of the battery in the watch overheating—118 of which resulted in burn injuries, including instances of second- and third-degree burns, the CPSC indicated in its recall announcement.
How to tell if your Fitbit is part of the recall
Fitbit produced their Ionic smartwatches between 2017 and 2020, and they were available for purchase from retailers including Best Buy, Kohl’s, Target, and Amazon (as well as Fitbit.com) from September 2017 through December 2021. The watches sold for $200 to $330.
All Fitbit Ionic watches are being recalled, regardless of the color, and whether or not an individual device is overheating. The Ionic’s model number is FB503. You can find it on the back of the device near where the band attaches, under the “CE” mark and above the clasp.
Some of the other features of the Ionic include:
1.4-inch color LCD screen with three buttonsCame with a polyurethane bandTracks activity, heart rate, and sleep “Fitbit” is printed on the front of the watchColors: Slate blue/burnt orange, charcoal/smoke gray, blue gray/silver gray, and a special edition co-branded with Adidas in ink blue/silver grayHow to get a refund for a Fitbit Ionic smartwatch
First, stop wearing the watch (if you haven’t already). Then, contact Fitbit to start the refund process. The easiest way to do that is by visiting their dedicated recall website, but you can also call their recall hotline, which is 1-888-925-1764 in the United States. Those outside of the U.S. can find their country’s number on Fitbit’s recall announcement.
Once you submit the initial information, the company will send you pre-paid packaging so you’re able to send the watch back, free of charge. When the company receives your recalled watch, you’ll get a refund of $299, as well as a discount code for 40% off select Fitbit devices, according to the CPSC.
