Sublue Mix Underwater Scooters Recalled Over Fire Hazard
Product Recalls - March 21, 2025
Recall Issued for Sublue Mix Underwater Scooters Because Lithium-Ion Batteries Can Pose Fire Hazard
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (March 21, 2025) – Sublue Mix Underwater Scooters were recalled because they can pose a fire hazard and injury risk to users.
The recall was issued on March 13, 2025. Roughly 40,370 units were sold prior to the recall.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the lithium-ion batteries inside of the Sublue Mix Underwater Scooters can overheat, thereby creating a fire hazard.
Affected scooters were sold in Arctic white, space blue, and aqua blue. Sublue has received 161 reports of the lithium-ion batteries overheating.
They’ve also received eight reports of fire and one report of injury. The Sublue Mix Underwater Scooters were manufactured in China.
Liability for Injuries Caused by Lithium-Ion Batteries
Fires involving products with lithium-ion batteries are unfortunately very common. These products can be particularly dangerous in dense urban areas. According to the New York City government, “From 2021 to 2022, lithium-ion battery fires resulted in 10 deaths and 226 injuries. As of March 2023, lithium-ion battery fires have resulted in two deaths and 40 injuries. These fires are preventable […].” There are several factors that could contribute to lithium-ion battery fires.
- Lithium-ion battery fires could occur due to physical damage with affected devices.
- Lithium-ion battery fires are more likely in devices that lack protections to prevent overheating.
- Lithium-ion battery fires could occur due to poor quality components in the batteries.
- Lithium ion battery fires could occur in devices that lack safety features to prevent overcharging.
Companies that create products with lithium-ion batteries have a legal obligation to ensure that those products are reasonably safe. Among other things, these batteries must undergo testing to ensure that they are not likely to overheat. When a company has actual or constructive notice that their product has safety issues, they must take action. If lithium-ion batteries in a product have design defects, this could form the basis of a strict liability claim. There are several elements that will typically need to be demonstrated to show a product has design defects.
- The product was inherently unsafe for the way that it was designed to be used.
- When used as intended, the product presented a substantial risk of harm that outweighed the benefits.
- A safer alternative design was available when the product was first manufactured.
- The defect with the design was directly linked to an injury.
Millions of products use lithium-ion batteries. Many of these batteries are created in areas that lack rigorous safety standards. This can lead to horrific outcomes for those who are caught up in fires. Unfortunately, the companies that manufacture these products will often do everything in their power to deny liability in the event of a fire. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Getting Legal Help For Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates were deeply concerned to hear about the safety issues with the Sublue Mix Underwater Scooters. It is our sincere hope that all of the affected units are successfully recalled. Retailers need to do more to ensure that the products that they are selling are actually safe.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a fire involving a lithium-ion battery fire? Our team of product liability attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and resources that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
