Yes, electric bike recalls tied to overheating batteries have named specific models and brands in recent years.
Shopping for an e-bike should feel simple, safe, and clear. You want to know which models faced verified fire issues, what caused them, and how to steer clear. This guide gives you the facts first, with links to official notices and a short plan that protects your home, your ride, and your budget.
Fast Answer: Verified Fire-Linked Recalls At A Glance
The list below pulls from official recall notices and brand pages. It shows the model, the main issue, and the action owners should take. It is not every e-bike ever made, just the cases tied to fire risk or overheating batteries that reached recall status in the U.S.
| Brand/Model | Issue | Owner Action |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Heckler 9 (select units) | Battery can overheat and ignite | Stop use; replace battery (CPSC recall, May 1, 2025) |
| VIVI 36-V batteries sold with VIVI e-bikes | Overheating batteries | Stop use; recall replaces packs (CPSC, Jul 17, 2025) |
| FENGQS F7 Pro | Fire and burn hazard from battery | Stop use; recall program (CPSC, Jul 24, 2025) |
| Pacific Cycle Ascend Cabrillo/Minaret | Charging-related fire hazard | Stop use; refund or remedy (CPSC, Jan 25, 2024) |
| Ancheer AM001907 | Battery pack can spark, explode, or catch fire | Stop use; free battery replacement (CPSC, Oct 13, 2022) |
| Specialized Turbo Levo/Kenevo (1st gen) | Water intrusion can damage batteries | Repair program; safety checks (prior recall) |
| Other city and trail models | Isolated fire reports without recalls | Check serials; follow maker guidance |
Which Electric Bikes Are Catching Fire? Latest Verified Cases
“Which electric bikes are catching fire?” is a fair question, and your answer should lean on proof. The clearest cases are formal recalls where a battery defect or charging fault raised a fire risk. Three names stand out this cycle. First, the Santa Cruz Heckler 9 recall covers certain units with a 720 Wh pack where the battery can overheat; the action is a free replacement. Next, VIVI’s 36-volt packs sold with its commuter e-bikes were pulled after multiple overheating reports; owners receive replacement batteries through a formal program. Third, FENGQS recalled the F7 Pro and issued a stop-use notice after tests and incident reports pointed to a thermal hazard.
A step back helps too. Pacific Cycle pulled Ascend Cabrillo and Minaret bikes after charging-time incidents raised a fire hazard. Ancheer recalled model AM001907 after reports of sparks, fires, and injuries tied to the battery pack. Each case came with a clear owner instruction: stop riding and stop charging until the maker inspects or swaps the parts.
Electric Bikes Catching Fire: Confirmed Models And Fixes
Not every headline names a cause, so look for the corrective action. If the fix is a battery replacement, the risk stemmed from cells, separators, or the battery management system. If the fix is a harness change, the flaw sat in wiring or charge control. If the brand offers a refund, the fault may span multiple parts and the maker chose the cleanest route for owners. Read the recall page, confirm your serial, and follow the steps exactly as written by the brand and the regulator.
Why E-Bike Batteries Catch Fire
Almost every fire case ties back to the lithium-ion battery and its battery management system. Cells store dense energy. When they short, overcharge, or suffer physical damage, heat can run away. In a pack, one cell failing can cascade. That is why certification and matched parts matter. A safe setup pairs a tested battery, a matched charger, and a drive system that talks to the pack’s protection circuit.
Certification That Signals Safer Systems
One label reduces guesswork: UL 2849. It covers the whole e-bike electrical system, not just the battery. A second label, UL 2271, applies to the battery pack itself. When both appear, the bike and pack were tested together for thermal and electrical faults. This is not a promise of zero risk, but it is a strong screen against common failure modes.
Where Charging Habits Go Wrong
Bad habits add fuel. Using a mismatched charger pushes cells past safe limits. Fast-charging in a hot hallway bakes the pack. Storing a bike with a damaged battery in a tight space turns a small failure into a big one. The fix is simple: charge on a non-combustible surface, in a place with clear air space, with the charger that came with the bike. If the pack swells, smells sweet or burnt, hisses, or gets hot in storage, take it outside and call the maker.
How To Check Your Bike For Recall Risk
You can confirm status in minutes. Match the brand, model, and battery details to recall notices, then act. If you’re unsure, your dealer can check serials and date codes.
Step-By-Step Checklist
- Find the model name, year, and serial number on the frame and battery.
- Check the battery label for voltage, Wh, and production date.
- Compare details with official recall pages.
- If your bike or battery appears, stop use and stop charging.
- Contact the brand or dealer for a free repair, replacement, or refund.
Official Pages To Keep Handy
For authoritative recall wording and remedies, read the Pacific Cycle recall notice and UL’s page on the UL 2849 standard. Both links explain scope and action in plain terms.
What The Fire Data Says
City fire departments track these incidents because they impact apartments, shops, and sidewalks. New York City reports hundreds of lithium-ion fires each year with e-bikes and scooters involved in a large share of cases. In 2024, FDNY logged 277 lithium-ion fires and six deaths tied to these devices. Early 2025 reports added the first fatal case of the year. The numbers shift by season, heat, and charging space, yet the message from safety officials stays plain: use certified systems, charge outdoors when you can, and keep damaged gear out of homes.
Fire services urge outdoor charging when possible, metal-lined cabinets for fleet storage, and never charging while sleeping. Landlords, managers, and delivery teams now post rules about parking, charging hours, and power strips. These aren’t scare tactics; they reflect patterns seen in investigations: mixed parts, cheap chargers, and damaged packs cause most events.
Simple Practices That Make A Big Difference
- Buy a system with UL 2849 and a battery with UL 2271.
- Use the original charger; avoid random “fast chargers.”
- Charge away from exits and flammable items.
- Give the pack time to cool after rides before charging.
- Store at partial charge if you won’t ride for weeks.
- Replace swollen, dented, or water-logged packs.
Taking Action If You Own A Listed Model
If your bike appears in the table above, the path is clear: stop riding, stop charging, and start the remedy. Brands offer free parts, free labor, or refunds in these programs. Some recalls focus on the battery only; others replace a harness or add a protective part. Keep your receipt handy, but even without one you can usually prove ownership with serials and photos.
Recall Remedy Options You’ll See
| Scenario | Typical Remedy | Time Window |
|---|---|---|
| Battery recall with stop-use | Free battery replacement and install | As scheduled by brand |
| Wiring fault tied to charging | Dealer repair or full refund | After inspection scheduling |
| Charger mismatch or defect | Swap charger; confirm firmware | Usually immediate |
| Undocumented fire incident | Brand case review; goodwill repair | Case-by-case |
| Older online-only model | Free replacement pack or mount | By mail or partner shop |
Buying Safe: A Quick Filter That Works
New bike on your mind? Run each pick through a short filter. First, certification: system to UL 2849 and battery to UL 2271. Second, parts match: battery, charger, and motor from the same maker or listed as a tested set. Third, support: a real help page, a recall portal, and a dealer network or fast ship-in repairs. Fourth, reviews with photos and long-term notes from verified owners. Fifth, a clear warranty on the battery with a clean path to claim service.
Red Flags When Comparing Models
- Charger sold as “universal” with no brand match.
- Battery with no label, no Wh, or scraped serial.
- Seller cannot state UL 2849/2271 status in writing.
- Imported packs sold as “new old stock” on flea markets.
- Bike overheats on gentle climbs or during light charging.
Clear Answers To Common Concerns
Are All E-Bikes At Risk?
No. Most reputable brands ship safe, certified systems and solid packs. Risk clusters around mismatched chargers, damaged batteries, and off-platform aftermarket parts. When recalls name a model, it does not mean every unit fails. It means the maker and the regulator saw enough incidents or lab results to pull the product and fix it.
Can You Prevent A Fire At Home?
Yes. Use a smart plug with a schedule. Charge on tile or concrete with a smoke alarm nearby. Don’t stack cardboard, coats, or tires around the bike. Unplug the charger once the pack reaches full. Keep a metal tray or sand bucket near your charging spot to contain a small flare-up long enough to get the pack outside. If anything smells off, stop the charge and move the bike to open air.
Bottom Line: Stay With Certified Systems And Known Remedies
One more safeguard for daily riders: keep a short charging log. Note start and stop times, odd heat, and any error lights. Over a month you’ll spot patterns. If the pack needs longer, gets hot, or range drops fast, park it and book service right away.
If you started this search with “which electric bikes are catching fire?,” you now have a working map. The names in the first table are verified recall cases with clear remedies. Use the links, check your serials, and claim the fix. When you shop, use the certification filter. With the right setup and sane charging habits, you can ride daily with confidence and lower risk.