Safety rules need to be overhauled, delays in Peloton recall show

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday that Peloton agreed to recall its Tread and Tread+ treadmills following an April 17 safety warning by the CPSC.

The CPSC said Tread+ treadmills have been involved in 72 reports of people, pets, or objects being pulled under the rear of the treadmill. The Tread+ is linked to one child death and dozens of child injuries, the agency said.

Consumers will be able to get full refunds for their Peloton Tread+ treadmills until Nov. 6, 2022, and a partial refund after that date. Peloton initially said the CPSC’s April 17 warning was unwarranted, and it didn’t issue a recall at that time.

Consumer Reports, a consumer testing and advocacy agency, said the recall is welcome news, but the delays left people at risk, and they demonstrate that product safety laws need to be overhauled so the CPSC has the recall authority needed to carry out its mission.

“The CPSC took a strong and principled stance for safety, and clearly that’s what made Peloton come to the table and agree to offer a full refund,” said William Wallace, Consumer Reports’ manager of safety policy.

It shouldn’t have required so much time and effort to get this product recalled, said Wallace.

“This episode underscores why we need to overhaul our outdated laws, so the CPSC has the ability to take quicker, forceful action when a product is putting people at risk,” he said.