Voluntary Safety Recall of Fitbit Ionic Smartwatches

[FitbitCommunity]

Fitbit, in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a voluntary recall of Fitbit Ionic smartwatches, which the company introduced in 2017 and stopped producing in 2020. The battery in the Ionic smartwatch can overheat, posing a burn hazard.

The health and safety of Fitbit users is our highest priority. We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution for our users. We will offer a refund to Fitbit Ionic customers.

This voluntary recall is specific to Fitbit Ionic devices. It does not impact any other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers.

If you have an impacted Fitbit Ionic device, please stop using it and visit our webpage where you’ll find:

• Answers to common questions
• Information on how to receive a refund 
• Access to a special discount on select Fitbit devices, bands, and services, if available in your region, for a limited time.

[LoriJohnson]

It wouldn't surprise me.... 

[CodexRed]

I’ve heard of people using money gram to move the money off of it to their account.

[LoriJohnson]

We have to get it first.... that is our issue (most of us)

[neerajzenith22]

Unable to login 

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Ravi0912]

I did apply for recall and got the refund in Google Play gift vouchers. This is not useful to me. I thought I will be given credit in my google pay wallet or debit or credit card. There was no confirmation also received from me for giving refund in Google play gift voucher. Now that I received it in Google Play gift voucher which is not useful to me nor i am able to transfer to any of my wallet like Google pay, Amazon etc. Pls let me know what is the solution. 

Pls help

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[BrianH63]

I received my FitBit discount code on May 1 after I applied for the refund.  On May 26 I received an email that my refund has been processed and I will be receiving the refund within 10 business days.  I still have not received it.  The discount code expires in 90 days, I assume from May 1.  I am considering applying the discount to a new FitBit, but if the code expires I'll take my refund elsewhere (if I ever get it).

[SunsetRunner]

@neerajzenith22 - you should contact Fitbit Support. This device has been recalled. Perhaps that has something to do with your issue. 

[AmyLB74]

I’ve never had an issue with it. Now I cannot use it because it shut off on its own and will not start back up. All life is gone from it and I cannot afford a new one. It was a GIFT so I don’t have receipt for it. What am I suppose to do?!?

Sent from my iPhone

[Jhong0822]

@AmyLB74 you don't need a receipt for the recall, just process using your Fitbit account then they will send you refund and a 40% discount on your next purchase.

Moderator edit: format

[VMMage]

@AmyLB74, as @Jhong0822 mentioned, the recall process does not require a receipt or other proof of purchase.  I "bought" my Ionic with "health points" from my employer.  I got my refund (a few days after the promised 6 week timeframe) because my Ionic was active in my Fitbit account when I registered for the refund.  However, the size and tone of the many threads on this topic justify your reluctance to apply for a refund seeing as how there's ample evidence that you may never receive the $299 once you've returned the Ionic (if you're in the United States) or agree to have it disabled (the rest of the world).

Would I believe that Fitbit may have decided to start disabling all Ionics, even those that have not registered for a refund?  Sure, it would not surprise me at all.  Will Fitbit re-instate your Ionic?  Probably not.  Will Fitbit respond to your call for action?  Almost certainly not.  At this point, I suspect that your best option is to register for a refund, hope that you get it, and use the refund on something that will make you happy.  I spent most of my refund money before I received it on a pair of Charge 5 devices, I now wish I hadn't done that.  Be wiser than I was and check the forum entries carefully for any Fitbit model that you are considering.

Moderator edit: word choice

[LoriJohnson]

I have this exact same problem. 

I sent mine back, they received it in March.  I was using it at the time so it was registered. I have NOT gotten my refund although I did use the 40% discount to buy the Versa 3... Now I am regretting that decision because now I am out MORE money to this company. At this point nothing surprises me when it comes to this company. 

[Elmendorfnz]

Really disappointing, you give phone numbers for people to call when their refund hasn't arrived after 6 weeks, yet the phone numbers don't work.  Talk to the online help they tell you to ring the phone number that doesn't work.

I just want my refund so I can purchase a new watch.

[VineethV]

Update from an affected User from India.

First Refund attempt from Fitbit through PayPal was unsuccessful since KYC
was not completed that time for my PayPal account. There are Ionic Users
who are in similar situation.

Just now got an email from Fitbit saying that, In india, refund through
PayPal account can happen only if PayPal account is a business account.
Otherwise refund will be done via Payoneer portal and they will be sending
another mail giving instructions on how to create an account in Payoneer.
My PayPal account is not a business account and is a Personal one and hence
waiting for further email from Fitbit. Hope this update help someone.

PS: they also mentioned that if the Account in PayPal is Business account
and still payment failed, then we have to contact fitbit.
--
Thanks and Regards
VV

[Mazmo79]

Thanks so much for the update

Get Outlook for iOS<>

[Uniqdeep]

@VineethV 

I received the same email from fitbit today. I have already changed my paypal account to business account and contacted fitbit for further procedure. 

Lets see what happens now.🤷🏼‍:male_sign:

[Aleemz]

@VineethV @Uniqdeep 

I also received same email from Fitbit today, I already have PayPal Business account so i told them it was error from they end. They said they will resend the payment again.

lets hope for the best 🙂

[bhagwannl]

I also received the same email about PayPal account issue and they agreed
to resend the payment to PayPal account in couple of days/week. Hope for
the best.--
Bhagawan L

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[NitinNigam]

@VineethV @Uniqdeep @Aleemz 

I too received similar mail today morning. 

I have reached a point where my expectations from Fitbit are ZERO. Why should a customer have a business account to get refund for his purchase? I am an end user, not a business partner. It was not a B2B transaction.

To me it seems just another trick to buy another 3 months. And then they will come up with something else.

[SunsetRunner]

8 weeks I’ve been waiting for a refund and still nothing. Oh and you also had the cheek to render my ionic , that’s right, my ionic useless straight away. For a company who voluntarily did this recall to save their customers you have a terrible way of showing you feelings to your customer base.

Moderator Edit: Word choice.

[RSGG]

My ionic watch is on Europe time - 7 hours after EST. How do I fix it?