Fitbit Ionic recalled for being a fire hazard. Here’s how you can get a refund

If you own a Fitbit Ionic, you should stop using it immediately. Fitbit has issued a recall for the smartwatch over concerns that its battery could overheat and pose a burning hazard.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fitbit received at least 115 reports of overheating battery in the watch with 78 reports of burn injuries. Moreover, there were two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns. Internationally, there were 59 reports of the battery overheating with 40 reports of burn injuries.

As a result, Fitbit put out a statement saying, “After a thorough investigation, we determined that in very limited instances, the battery in the Ionic smartwatch can overheat, posing a burn hazard. Your safety is always our top priority, and we are taking this action out of an abundance of caution. We’re offering a refund to Fitbit Ionic customers.”

The Fitbit Ionic went on sale from September 2017 to December 2021, though its production was ceased sometime in 2020. It is estimated that Fitbit sold about one million units in the U.S and 693,000 units worldwide.

Fitbit officially sells its products in Malaysia via their online store and other retail and online partners, so if you bought a Fitbit Ionic, here’s how you can apply for a refund.

Applying refund request for Fitbit Ionic

Firstly, make sure the model you have is indeed a Fitbit Ionic by looking for the product code “FB503” at the back of the watch. Alternatively, you can use the Fitbit companion app on your phone to figure out the model of the smartwatch, which can be found under the Account tab.

Next, log on to www.fitbitionic.expertinquiry.com to find the registration form. Follow the steps and fill in the required details before submitting.

You will be required to ship the watch back to Fitbit or dispose of the device at a verified recycling centre like IPC Recycling & Buy Back Centre.

According to Fitbit’s recall page, they are offering a refund of USD299 which converts to RM1,253.62. That is slightly less than the original retail price of the Fitbit Ionic in Malaysia at RM1,399. Once approved, the refund will proceed within 3 to 6 weeks.

Additionally, there are extra discounts given as part of the refund, but they will only be outlined after your refund has been approved. According to PhoneArena, on top of the USD299, Fitbit Ionic owners will also get a 40% discount code for select Fitbit devices, bands, and services. Be sure to utilise the discount code within 90 days of receiving it.

The Fitbit Ionic was the company’s first foray into the smartwatch market. It incorporated all the health features that a Fitbit user has come to expect but with a larger display for added functionality. It ran on Fitbit’s custom ionicOS and worked on both Android and iOS devices. It features GPS tracking, automatic workout detection, real-time heart rate tracking, SpO2 sensor and water resistance up to 50 meters. It did all this while advertising a 4-day battery life.

For more information on the recall and refund for the Fitbit Ionic, you can visit help.fitbit.com. If you have a Fitbit Ionic, let us know your experience with the refund process in the comments section.

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