Segway "i Series" Human Transporters (HT)
CPSC Recall #03-553 — September 25, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-553 |
| Recall Date | September 25, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 6,000 |
| Manufacturer | Segway LLC, of Manchester, New Hampshire |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Directly by Segway LLC and through certain dealers and resellers from March 2002 through September 2003. Segway HTs have also been made available to the public by authorized rental agents. |
Product
Segway "i Series" Human Transporters (HT)
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Segway LLC of Manchester, New Hampshire is voluntarily recalling approximately 6,000 Segway HT Human Transporters. Under certain operating conditions, particularly when the batteries are near the end of charge, some Segway HTs may not deliver enough power, allowing the rider to fall. This can happen if the rider speeds up abruptly, encounters an obstacle, or continues to ride after receiving a low-battery alert. Name of Product: Segway Human Transporter (HT)Units: Approximately 6,000Manufacturer: Segway LLC, of Manchester, New HampshireHazard: Under certain operating conditions, particularly when the batteries are near the end of charge, some Segway HTs may not deliver enough power, allowing the rider to fall. This can happen if the rider speeds up abruptly, encounters an obstacle, or continues to ride after receiving a low-battery alert.Incidents/Injuries: Segway LLC has received three reports of falls that may be related to this condition, including one report of a consumer who sustained a head injury requiring stitches.Description: This recall involves all Segway HT i167 ("i Series") models sold to consumers. In addition, Segway LLC is including all e167 ("e Series") and i167 models sold to commercial users, and all p133 ("p Series") models sold to consumers in test markets.Sold At: Directly by Segway LLC and through certain dealers and resellers from March 2002 through September 2003. Segway HTs have also been made available to the public by authorized rental agents.Manufactured In: U.S.A.Remedy: Call Segway LLC toll-free at 877-889-9020 between 8 am and 8 pm Monday through Friday (ET) for information on how to receive a free software upgrade. Segway LLC is directly contacting owners of these products.Riders are reminded that, even after the software upgrade, appropriate operating techniques as described in Segway HT user materials are essential to safety.
Hazard
Under certain operating conditions, particularly when the batteries are near the end of charge, some Segway HTs may not deliver enough power, allowing the rider to fall. This can happen if the rider speeds up abruptly, encounters an obstacle, or continues to ride after receiving a low-battery alert.
Incidents & Injuries
Segway LLC has received three reports of falls that may be related to this condition, including one report of a consumer who sustained a head injury requiring stitches.
Remedy Instructions
Call Segway LLC toll-free at 877-889-9020 between 8 am and 8 pm Monday through Friday (ET) for information on how to receive a free software upgrade. Segway LLC is directly contacting owners of these products.
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.
Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.
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.