Over 40,000 Lithium Batteries Sold Online Recalled Due to Fire Risk

March 17, 2025 TruthUSA

The scooters and batteries were available for purchase on the Sublue website, as well as through online retailers such as Amazon and Costco, from June 2018 until February 2025.

California’s Sublue Technology Inc. is recalling thousands of lithium-ion batteries following reports of overheating incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The recall affects approximately 40,370 units of lithium-ion batteries used in Sublue branded underwater scooters, as stated in a recall notice released on March 13.

These batteries, manufactured in China, “have the potential to overheat and ignite, creating a fire hazard for consumers.” Both the original and replacement batteries for the scooters are included in this recall.

When a lithium-ion battery is submerged in water and experiences a short-circuit, it can produce significant heat that may lead to swelling or even explosions. It is currently unclear if the batteries in Sublue scooters were affected in this manner.

The scooters and batteries were sold through the Sublue website, as well as other online platforms including Amazon and Costco, from June 2018 to February 2025. The scooters were priced around $550, while replacement batteries retailed for $150.

According to the notice, “Sublue has received 161 reports of overheating and swelling incidents associated with the lithium-ion batteries, which include eight reports of fire, one injury report, and two property damage claims totaling $651,400.”

The recall announcement urged consumers to halt the use of scooters equipped with the recalled batteries.

The company stated it will supply a battery collection kit to facilitate the return of the recalled batteries, and consumers will receive a replacement battery once the recalled item is returned, as per the notice.

The notice cautioned against disposing of hazardous batteries in regular trash.

Such batteries should be disposed of “in compliance with local and state regulations, following the procedures set by municipal recycling centers for damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries.”

In recent months, there have been multiple other lithium battery recalls.

In February, over a thousand sleep lamps were recalled due to risks associated with lithium-ion batteries overheating while charging, which could lead to fires.

In December, Chervon North America Inc. recalled lithium-ion batteries used in lawnmowers and outdoor tools, citing concerns of fire and burn risks.

Over 63,000 units were recalled nationwide, with the company reporting over 100 thermal incident cases including incidents of overheating, melting, and fire.

Both products were also manufactured in China.

Lithium battery fires are a significant concern for authorities. In New York City, 277 fires caused by these batteries occurred last year, resulting in six fatalities, according to a January 8 report by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY).

The FDNY Lithium-ion Battery Task Force inspected 585 e-bike shops in 2024, issuing 426 summons during this endeavor.

New York state Senator Steve Rhoads recently emphasized these dangers in an address on the Senate floor, expressing concerns that even small fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are “extremely hard to contain.”

“However, when you are dealing with larger batteries, which are essentially collections of these small lithium-ion batteries, the fire risk escalates significantly,” he added.

A massive lithium battery fire occurred in mid-January at Vistra Energy’s Moss Landing facility in California.

This facility, which contained 110,000 batteries, was engulfed in flames, emitting toxic fumes into the air. The fire devastated approximately 80 percent of the facility’s battery installations.

In a March 15 social media post, Rhoads urged lawmakers to “exercise caution” regarding the push for electrification, emphasizing the need for technology to advance before compromising safety.

“Firefighter safety, passenger safety, and common sense must take precedence,” he concluded.

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