Are BOB Jogging Strollers Safe?

Between 2012 and 2018 American consumers filed complaints with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) about BOB jogging strollers, saying it was unsafe due to a defect with the three-wheeled stroller’s front wheel. Without warning, according to some 200 consumer complaints, the front wheel flew off, causing injuries to both adults and children.

The dissatisfied owners of these strollers accused the manufacturer, Britax Child Safety, of failing to notify the public about the purported problems.

The CPSC — the federal agency charged with protecting the public from “unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products”– asked Britax to voluntarily recall the stroller from the U.S. market. Britax refused, and the CPSC responded with an administrative complaint to compel the company to do so.

According to the Washington Post, “with no warning, the front wheel on the three-wheeled BOB jogging strollers fell off, causing the carriages to careen and even flip over. Adults shattered bones. They tore ligaments. Children smashed their teeth. They gashed their faces. One child bled from his ear canal.”

What is the Problem with the BOB Jogging Stroller?

According to the CPSC, “the quick release on the front wheel of the strollers can fail to secure the front wheel to the fork, allowing the front wheel to detach suddenly during use.”

How Many BOB Jogging Strollers Are Affected by This Potential Problem?

The CPSC’s complaint says that nearly 500,000 of the strollers were made between December 2011 and September 2015. Additionally, an unknown number of these were made between 1997 and 2011, it continues. The complaint does not cover any of the strollers manufactured after September 2015.

What Did the Suit Seek?

The federal agency wanted Britax to recall the strollers and sought an order to discontinue the company’s practice of distributing impacted models. The CPSC also asked that the manufacturer notify the public and produce a remedy for what appeared to be a design defect.

Have Consumers Filed Complaints?

Myriad consumers reported that the front wheels fell off the strollers, prompting the CPSC to get involved.

Some of those who filed complaints reported major injuries tied to the stroller’s spontaneous wheel failure.

What Was the Outcome of the CPSC Complaint?

In November 2018 Britax and the CPSC reached an agreement that requires Britax, at its expense, to launch an intensive safety campaign that includes video, email and direct notification to consumers. The information campaign must give detailed instructions on how to safely operate the stroller’s Quick Release.

The information campaign must also provide details about getting certain free parts, accessories, discounts and incentives for those who purchased a BOB jogging stroller manufactured between Jan. 1, 2009, and Sept. 30, 2015.

If owners of the strollers are still dealing with issues from a stroller injury, the help of an experienced defective product attorney may be helpful.

Join a Free BOB Jogging Stroller Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you own a BOB jogging stroller affected by the front-wheel defect, you may qualify to join this BOB stroller class action lawsuit investigation.

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