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Additional Incidents Prompt Johnson Health Tech to Reannounce Recall of Matrix Fitness Ascent Trainers and Ellipticals Due to Fire Hazard (Recall Alert)

Reported: July 31, 2018 Initiated: July 31, 2018 #18755 About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.) units

CPSC recall on July 31, 2018. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.) units are affected. The recall was issued because: Moisture from user perspiration or cleaning liquids can build up in the power socket on the unit, causing a short circu…. This recall notice is sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #18755) was formally reported on July 31, 2018. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The recalling firm is not specified in the federal record. Federal records indicate About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.) units are affected, placing this recall in the million-unit bracket that typically triggers nationwide consumer alerts and retailer sweeps.

The documented reason for this recall is: Moisture from user perspiration or cleaning liquids can build up in the power socket on the unit, causing a short circuit, posing a fire hazard. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Exercise facilities should immediately unplug the machines and contact Johnson Health Tech North America to schedule a free repair. Machines can be used in self-powered mode without needing to be plu… — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by CPSC. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 8 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.)

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product Description

This recall involves previously recalled Matrix Fitness Ascent trainers® and Elliptical trainers installed from November 2011 through December 2012. All Ascent trainers and ellipticals have a swing-arm handle design, with pedals that rotate in an elliptical path. Units also have stationary handlebars. The Ascent Trainers® are similar to the elliptical machines, but include an incline function. Users operate the machines in a standing position. The ellipticals are black and silver-colored. The Ascent trainers are also black and silver-colored with an orange accent color on the machine's body and foot pedals. "Matrix" is printed on the machines body and handlebars. When assembled, the machines are about 70" high x 29" wide and 68" long. The machines involved in this recall have a decal at the center/bottom of the units with model numbers beginning with A-3x, A-5x/7x, or E-3x/5x/7x. This recall includes units with serial numbers beginning with EP304, EP306, or EP308, and with date codes of 1208 (YYMM) or prior.

Reason for Recall

Moisture from user perspiration or cleaning liquids can build up in the power socket on the unit, causing a short circuit, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy

Exercise facilities should immediately unplug the machines and contact Johnson Health Tech North America to schedule a free repair. Machines can be used in self-powered mode without needing to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Johnson is contacting purchasers of the recalled ellipticals directly

Details

Units Affected
About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.)

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 18755
Date reported July 31, 2018
Date initiated July 31, 2018
Recalling firm Not disclosed
Units affected About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.)
Distribution Not disclosed

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Scale of Impact

About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.) units affected — million-unit bracket.

Regional (<10K units)
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units) ✓ This recall

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves previously recalled Matrix Fitness Ascent trainers® and Elliptical trainers installed from November 2011 through December 2012. All Ascent trainers and ellipticals have a swing-arm handle design, with pedals that rotate in an elliptical path. Units also have stationary handlebars. The Ascent Trainers® are similar to the elliptical machines, but include an incline function. Users operate the machines in a standing position. The ellipticals are black and silver-colored. The Ascent trainers are also black and silver-colored with an orange accent color on the machine's body and foot pedals. "Matrix" is printed on the machines body and handlebars. When assembled, the machines are about 70" high x 29" wide and 68" long. The machines involved in this recall have a decal at the center/bottom of the units with model numbers beginning with A-3x, A-5x/7x, or E-3x/5x/7x. This recall includes units with serial numbers beginning with EP304, EP306, or EP308, and with date codes of 1208 (YYMM) or prior.. Units affected: About 3,000 (The trainers and ellipticals were previously recalled in January 2014.).
Why was this product recalled?
Moisture from user perspiration or cleaning liquids can build up in the power socket on the unit, causing a short circuit, posing a fire hazard.
What should consumers do?
Exercise facilities should immediately unplug the machines and contact Johnson Health Tech North America to schedule a free repair. Machines can be used in self-powered mode without needing to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Johnson is contacting purchasers of the recalled ellipticals directly
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on July 31, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 18755.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (18755) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

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Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).