Ortovox Recalls M1 and M2 Avalanche Transceivers Due to Battery Defect
Ortovox USA is recalling M1 and M2 avalanche transceivers because batteries can become dislodged, potentially causing the device to fail during an emergency.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a safety-critical device where failure could result in serious injury or death, but no injuries have been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products without reported injury.
Plain-English summary
Ortovox USA is recalling approximately 15,500 M1 and M2 avalanche transceivers. These devices are worn by skiers and snowboarders to help locate buried avalanche victims. The recall is due to a defect where the batteries can become dislodged if the transceiver is struck sharply.
If the batteries become dislodged, the transceiver may fail to function properly in the aftermath of an avalanche. This failure could result in a buried victim not being found in time to avoid serious injury or death. There have been three consumer reports of batteries becoming dislodged, but no injuries have been reported.
The recalled units were sold at outdoor specialty stores nationwide from January 1997 through July 2005 for about $300. The M1 has a navy blue body with a yellow volume control switch. The M2 is available in glacier white (gray) with a red switch, or orange with a gray switch. Consumers should stop using the recalled transceivers and contact Ortovox USA to receive a new battery door that helps prevent the batteries from becoming dislodged.
The recalled product
- Product
- Ortovox M1 and M2 Avalanche Transceivers - A device worn to help locate a buried avalanche victim
- Manufacturer
- Ortovox USA, of Hopkinton, N.H.
- Affected units
- 15,500
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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