PowerMill climbers
CPSC Recall #18-235 — September 27, 2018
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 18-235 |
| Recall Date | September 27, 2018 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 11,800 |
| Manufacturer | Life Fitness, of Rosemont, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| Through Life Fitness direct sales representatives and fitness equipment dealers to commercial fitness facilities from July 2014 to August 2018 for between $9 |
| 000 and $12 |
| 000. |
Product
PowerMill climbers
Description
This recall involves Life Fitness PowerMill climbers models PMA, PFB, PMD, PFD, PMH, and PFH. The model letters appear at the front of the serial number on the bottom right of the unit, on the inside of the “step-up” support. The climbers were manufactured and distributed from 2014 through 2018. Life Fitness is printed on the side panels of the machines. The climber machines have a moving mechanical staircase (similar to an escalator) with rotating steps between two handrails.
Hazard
Electrical arcing can occur if liquid enters the power receptacle at the front of the climbers, resulting in sparking and smoking, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received eight reports of the PowerMill climbers smoking and sparking, resulting in fire and property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled PowerMill climbers and contact Life Fitness for instructions on receiving a free repair. All known purchasers are being contacted directly by the firm.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.