Matrix and Vision Treadmill Fire Lawsuit Lawyers

Johnson Health Tech expands recall of Matrix Retail and Vision treadmills after overheating reports, raising safety concerns for home users nationwide.

Johnson Health Tech North America has expanded a treadmill recall involving Matrix Retail and Vision brand treadmills after reports that the power cord can become loose from the treadmill’s power socket, creating a fire hazard. This expanded recall affects tens of thousands of units sold nationwide through fitness retailers and online, including high-end home treadmills priced in the thousands of dollars.

For many consumers, treadmills are among the most frequently used pieces of home fitness equipment. They are often plugged in for long periods, used in garages, basements, spare bedrooms, and home gyms, and operated near carpeting, mats, and other combustible materials. A power-related defect that can cause overheating is not a minor inconvenience. It can put people at risk of property damage, smoke inhalation, burns, and in the worst cases, a residential fire.

If you own a Matrix Retail or Vision treadmill listed in this recall, it is important to take the warning seriously, follow the safety instructions, and confirm whether your unit is affected. If you experienced overheating, smoke, sparking, melted components, or fire-related damage, you may also have legal options.

What Products Are Included in the Expanded Recall?

This recall expansion covers certain Matrix Retail and Vision treadmills with specific serial number ranges.

Matrix Retail models included

• Matrix Retail T30 (TM729)
• Matrix Retail TF30 (TM693, TM693B)
• Matrix Retail T50 (TM695, TM767)
• Matrix Retail TF50 (TM694, TM694B, TM768)
• Matrix Retail T75 (TM703, TM703B, TM703C, TM703E)

Vision models included

• Vision T9800 (TM87)
• Vision TF20 (TM432, TM432C)
• Vision T40 (TM433, TM433C)
• Vision T80 (TM445)

The affected treadmills were manufactured from June 2007 through January 2024 and were sold with a straight power cord and no power cord bracket.

What Is the Fire Hazard?

According to the recall notice, the problem is straightforward but serious:

The power cord can become loose from the treadmill’s power socket.

When a power cord connection is not stable, it can create conditions that lead to overheating at the point where electricity transfers into the treadmill. Loose electrical connections may cause:

• increased resistance
• heat buildup
• arcing or sparking
• melting of plastic components
• smoke or burning odor
• ignition of nearby materials

Even if no one is physically injured, a power cord overheating event can damage the treadmill, the outlet, nearby flooring, or surrounding property. In a home environment, that kind of defect can create a chain reaction that places an entire household at risk.

Why This Recall Expansion Matters

This recall is an expansion of a prior recall involving Matrix T1 and T3 Series Commercial Treadmills, which were also recalled because the power cord could become loose at the power socket. The expansion matters because it indicates the issue is not limited to a small batch or a single model line.

In other words, the manufacturer is acknowledging that similar design or connection risks may exist across a wider population of treadmills, including consumer retail models. When a recall grows instead of shrinking, it often raises concerns about how long the issue existed, how many units remained in homes, and how many consumers may have been exposed to the risk before the expanded action was announced.

How to Identify Your Model and Serial Number

Consumers can locate the model number and frame serial number on the treadmill’s lower front crossbar near the power switch.

The serial number format includes:

• the letters TM
• a three-digit model number
• a manufacture date in YY/MM format
• followed by a five-digit serial number

Because the recall only applies to certain serial number ranges, it is important to check the exact number printed on your machine. If your treadmill matches one of the listed models and falls within the serial number range, you should follow the recall instructions immediately.

Incidents Reported: Overheating Complaints

The company has received 27 reports of overheating at the power cord-socket connection. No injuries have been reported at the time of the recall notice.

Even without reported injuries, overheating incidents are a warning sign that a defect may cause harm under the right conditions. Fires often begin with “near-miss” events: a smell of burning plastic, a hot plug, or a flickering power connection that later escalates. Consumers should treat overheating reports as a meaningful safety risk, especially when the hazard involves an electrical connection that can be repeatedly stressed during regular treadmill use.

Where These Treadmills Were Sold and Why That Matters

The recalled treadmills were sold through numerous retailers and online channels, including:

• specialty fitness stores
• local exercise equipment dealers
• online retailers
• manufacturer websites

They were sold from April 2012 through May 2025 for approximately $2,100 to $8,100.

The broad sales window and high unit cost matter for two reasons:

1. Many units may still be in active use, especially because treadmills are durable and designed to last years.
2. Consumers may assume a premium treadmill is safer by default, making it more likely that they continue using the equipment even after noticing warning signs like a loose cord or heat at the plug.

What the Recall Remedy Provides

The recall remedy is listed as a repair, but the fix differs from the prior commercial treadmill recall.

Prior commercial treadmill recall remedy

The earlier recall remedy involved a power cord bracket that required tools for installation.

Remedy for this recall expansion

For the Matrix Retail and Vision treadmill recall expansion, the company is offering a free replacement power cord with an:

• automatic locking-style plug
• no tools required for installation

This is important because it suggests the replacement cord is designed to reduce the likelihood of the plug loosening during normal use. A locking-style plug may help prevent the kind of unstable connection that leads to overheating.

Safety Steps Consumers Should Take Immediately

If you own one of these treadmills, you should act quickly.

Step 1: Inspect for a power cord bracket

Consumers are instructed to check whether a power cord bracket is installed on the unit.

Step 2: If no bracket is installed, reduce risk until repaired

Until the replacement power cord is received and installed, consumers should:

• ensure the power cord is fully inserted into the treadmill’s power socket before each use
• stop using the treadmill if the plug feels loose or unstable
• discontinue use immediately if there is overheating, smoke, sparks, or a burning smell

Step 3: Request the free replacement power cord

Consumers should contact Johnson Health Tech North America to obtain the replacement power cord by mail.

Injuries and Damages That Can Result From a Treadmill Fire Hazard

A treadmill defect involving overheating and fire risk can cause harm in more ways than people realize. Even if a fire does not fully ignite, overheating can lead to:

• burns from touching a hot plug or melted component
• smoke inhalation
• electrical shock in some situations
• property damage to walls, floors, outlets, and wiring
• loss of personal belongings in a fire event
• displacement from the home if repairs are required
• emotional distress after a near-fire incident

If a fire occurs, damages can multiply quickly, including emergency response costs, hotel stays, cleanup, and major repairs.

Legal Options After a Matrix or Vision Treadmill Overheating Incident

When a consumer product creates a fire hazard, injured consumers may have the right to pursue compensation through a product liability claim. Even when a recall exists, it does not erase the harm already done.

A claim may focus on issues such as:

Defective design

If the power connection design allows loosening under normal use, a consumer may argue the treadmill was unreasonably dangerous as sold.

Manufacturing defect

Some cases involve defects in assembly or materials that cause certain units to fail earlier than expected.

Failure to warn

If consumers were not properly warned about the hazard until after incidents were reported, that may become part of a legal claim.

Negligence

A negligence claim may examine whether the company acted reasonably in monitoring complaints, investigating overheating events, and expanding the recall promptly.

What Evidence Helps Support a Treadmill Recall Injury Claim

If you experienced overheating or fire-related damage, documentation can make a major difference.

Helpful evidence often includes:

• photos of the power cord connection and damage
• melted plastic, smoke marks, or burn patterns
• the treadmill model and serial number
• proof of purchase
• repair estimates and invoices
• fire department reports (if applicable)
• medical records (if burns or smoke exposure occurred)
• witness statements from anyone present

Even if you did not suffer physical injury, property damage and out-of-pocket losses may still be significant.

Matrix or Vision Treadmill Lawsuit FAQs

How do I know if my Matrix or Vision treadmill is recalled?

Check the model number and serial number located on the lower front crossbar near the power switch. If your treadmill is one of the listed Matrix Retail or Vision models and the serial number falls within the recall range, it is included. If you are unsure, you can contact the manufacturer for confirmation.

What should I do if my treadmill power cord feels loose or overheats?

Stop using the treadmill immediately. A loose power cord connection can overheat and create a fire hazard. Document what you see, take photos of the connection area, and contact the manufacturer to request the replacement locking-style power cord. If there is smoke, sparking, or visible melting, unplug the unit and do not use it again until it has been repaired.

Can I file a lawsuit if my treadmill caused a fire or damaged my home?

Yes, you may have legal options if a recalled treadmill caused a fire, overheating damage, or related losses. Product liability claims may seek compensation for property damage, repair costs, replacement costs, and in some cases personal injury damages such as burns or smoke inhalation.

What if I was not injured but my treadmill overheated?

Even without physical injury, overheating incidents can cause property damage and create a serious safety risk. You should still document the issue and request the repair remedy. If you incurred costs for repairs, replacement, or professional inspections, those losses may be relevant to a claim.

Who may be responsible for damages caused by a recalled treadmill?

Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include the manufacturer, importer, distributor, or other entities involved in the product’s design, production, and sale. A recall does not automatically establish liability, but it can be important evidence when investigating what went wrong.

How long do I have to bring a claim?

Time limits vary by state and depend on the type of harm involved. If you experienced overheating, fire damage, or injury, speaking with a lawyer promptly can help protect your right to pursue compensation before deadlines expire.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If you own a recalled Matrix Retail or Vision treadmill and experienced overheating, smoke, sparking, melted components, or fire-related damage, you may have legal options. You should not have to carry the financial burden of repairs, property loss, or medical costs if a dangerous defect played a role.

Parker Waichman LLP is a national personal injury law firm that represents consumers harmed by defective products and unsafe household equipment. We offer a free consultation and can help you understand whether you may have a claim related to this treadmill recall.

Call Parker Waichman LLP today at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).