PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IIOngoing

FDA Devices recall · Reported April 8, 2026

Brand Name: da Vinci S, Si Monopolar Curved Scissors Instrument Product Name: da Vinci S and Si Monopolar Curved Scissors Instrument Model/Catalog Number: 420179 Software Version: N/A Product Description: EndoWrist Instruments or Da Vinci S/Si Reusable instruments, including blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, scalpels, forceps/pick-ups, needle holders, endoscopic retractors, electrocautery and accessories are intended for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, including grasping, c

Due to increased complaints for broken/frayed grip cables for reusable instruments.

Recall #
Z-1696-2026
Affected scope
86904
Initiated
December 9, 2025
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The recall

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall — Due to increased complaints for broken/frayed grip cables for reusable instruments..

Moderate
severity level
87K units
affected scope
Class II
classification
April 8, 2026
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1696-2026 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-1696-2026) was formally reported on April 8, 2026, with the manufacturer initiating the action on December 9, 2025. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Ongoing. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Sunnyvale, CA. Federal records list the affected scope as 86904.

The documented reason for this recall is: Due to increased complaints for broken/frayed grip cables for reusable instruments. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide - U.S. Nationwide distribution in the states of CA, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA and WI. The countries of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republ…. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from FDA Devices — clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Medical Devices recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category — 40,409 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,0005,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,243

Where this recall sits in the database

Severity2366872097High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 100,165 recalls in the database, 23,668 are high severity, 72,097 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

86904

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

Brand Name: da Vinci S, Si Monopolar Curved Scissors Instrument Product Name: da Vinci S and Si Monopolar Curved Scissors Instrument Model/Catalog Number: 420179 Software Version: N/A Product Description: EndoWrist Instruments or Da Vinci S/Si Reusable instruments, including blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, scalpels, forceps/pick-ups, needle holders, endoscopic retractors, electrocautery and accessories are intended for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, including grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, approximation, ligation, electrocautery, suturing, and delivery and placement of microwave and cryogenic ablation probes and accessories. Please refer to attached User Manual for additional details on intended use. All da Vinci S/Si reusable instruments with jaws use mechanical tungsten cables and pulleys to transmit motion from the input discs to the housing (on the proximal chassis), through the main shaft, and the distal instrument tip (inside the patient). Component: N/A

Reason for recall

Due to increased complaints for broken/frayed grip cables for reusable instruments.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Moderate (Class II)
Status Ongoing
Recall number Z-1696-2026
Date reported April 8, 2026
Date initiated December 9, 2025
Recalling firm Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Firm location Sunnyvale, CA
Affected scope 86904
Distribution Worldwide - U.S. Nationwide distribution in the states of CA, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA and WI. The countries of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France,…

Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Scale of Impact

86904 units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

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

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration filings.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (Z-1696-2026) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status with FDA Devices before acting — recall details can be updated.
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official FDA Devices record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Brand Name: da Vinci S, Si Monopolar Curved Scissors Instrument Product Name: da Vinci S and Si Monopolar Curved Scissors Instrument Model/Catalog Number: 420179 Software Version: N/A Product Description: EndoWrist Instruments or Da Vinci S/Si Reusable instruments, including blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, scalpels, forceps/pick-ups, needle holders, endoscopic retractors, electrocautery and accessories are intended for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, including grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, approximation, ligation, electrocautery, suturing, and delivery and placement of microwave and cryogenic ablation probes and accessories. Please refer to attached User Manual for additional details on intended use. All da Vinci S/Si reusable instruments with jaws use mechanical tungsten cables and pulleys to transmit motion from the input discs to the housing (on the proximal chassis), through the main shaft, and the distal instrument tip (inside the patient). Component: N/A. Recalled by Intuitive Surgical, Inc.. Units affected: 86904.
Why was this product recalled?
Due to increased complaints for broken/frayed grip cables for reusable instruments.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on April 8, 2026. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-1696-2026.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide - U.S. Nationwide distribution in the states of CA, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA and WI. The countries of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-1696-2026) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device?
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.

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Data Sources

Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: FDA Devices, reported April 8, 2026.

  • 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)

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.

Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records — no number is typed in by an editor. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.