What Happened to CPSC Rowenta Cordless Vacuum Recall (X-Force Flex 14.60 & 15.60)?
Rowenta, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a recall on July 2, 2026, for approximately 3,660 X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal and 15.60 Animal cordless vacuum cleaners in the U.S. due to a lithium-ion battery defect. The affected batteries can overheat and ignite, posing serious fire and burn hazards, prompting consumers to immediately stop use and seek a free replacement battery.
Quick Answer
On July 2, 2026, Rowenta recalled about 3,660 X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal (model RH99A2U1) and 15.60 Animal (model RH99F2U1) cordless vacuum cleaners in the U.S. due to a fire and burn hazard. The lithium-ion battery (model ZR0097U2, date codes 23 or 24) in these units can overheat and ignite. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the vacuum, remove the battery, and register online with Rowenta for a free replacement battery.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline8 events
Sales Begin for Affected Rowenta Vacuums
Rowenta X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal and 15.60 Animal cordless vacuum cleaners, containing the potentially defective lithium-ion batteries, began being sold to consumers.
Manufacturing Period for Recalled Batteries
The Versatile X-Force lithium-ion batteries (model ZR0097U2) with date codes beginning with '23' or '24', which are subject to the recall, were manufactured before this date.
Groupe SEB Initiates Service Campaign in Some Regions
Groupe SEB, Rowenta's parent company, launched a nine-month service campaign in certain regions (e.g., UK) for RH99XX series vacuum cleaners, offering free battery replacement, indicating early awareness of potential battery issues.
End of Sales for Affected Rowenta Vacuums
The sale of the Rowenta X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal and 15.60 Animal cordless vacuum cleaners with the recalled batteries concluded.
CPSC and Rowenta Announce Official Recall
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Rowenta (Groupe SEB USA) officially announced the voluntary recall of approximately 3,660 cordless vacuum cleaners due to fire and burn hazards from overheating lithium-ion batteries.
CPSC Advises Immediate Stop Use
The CPSC issued a strong warning to consumers to immediately stop using the recalled vacuum cleaners and remove the battery pack to prevent potential fire and burn injuries.
Rowenta Establishes Recall Registration for Free Battery Replacement
Rowenta directed consumers to a dedicated recall registration page (rowentausa.com/recall-campaign-xforce) where they can submit information and a photo of their battery to receive a free replacement.
Recall Remains Active with Disposal Guidance
As of today, the recall is active, with Rowenta continuing to provide free replacement batteries. Consumers are strongly advised to follow specific local and state regulations for disposing of the recalled lithium-ion batteries, avoiding regular trash or recycling.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The CPSC Rowenta Cordless Vacuum Recall, officially announced on July 2, 2026, addresses a significant safety concern involving specific models of Rowenta's X-Force Flex cordless vacuum cleaners. The recall targets approximately 3,660 units sold in the U.S., specifically the X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal (model RH99A2U1) and X-Force Flex 15.60 Animal (model RH99F2U1) models. The core issue lies with the Versatile X-Force lithium-ion battery, model number ZR0097U2, which has date codes beginning with '23' or '24', indicating manufacturing before December 2024.
The hazard stems from a defect in a component of the battery pack, which can cause the lithium-ion battery to overheat and potentially ignite, leading to serious fire and burn risks. Rowenta has received two reports of the battery overheating or failing to charge in the U.S., alongside an additional 65 similar incidents globally. Fortunately, as of the recall date, no injuries have been reported.
These affected vacuums were sold at major retailers such as Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, and online platforms including Rowenta.com, Shopify.com, Amazon.com, and Walmart.com. The sales period for these units spanned from July 2023 through January 2026, with retail prices ranging between $250 and $550.
As a consequence of the recall, consumers are instructed to immediately cease using the affected vacuum cleaners and remove the recalled lithium-ion battery from the handle. Rowenta is providing a remedy in the form of a free replacement lithium-ion battery. To obtain a replacement, consumers must visit Rowenta's dedicated recall registration page, upload a photograph of the battery's model number and date code for verification, and follow specific instructions for proper disposal of the hazardous battery. It is critical that the recalled lithium-ion batteries are not disposed of in regular household trash or standard recycling streams due to the elevated fire risk they pose. Consumers are advised to contact their local municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection centers for appropriate disposal guidance.
As of July 6, 2026, the recall is active, and Rowenta continues to process claims for free replacement batteries, emphasizing consumer safety and adherence to proper disposal protocols. This proactive measure aims to mitigate potential fire and burn hazards associated with the defective battery packs.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if CPSC Rowenta Cordless Vacuum Recall (X-Force Flex 14.60 & 15.60) made different choices?