Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on Tom’s Guide.
The electric bike manufacturer VIVI has issued a recall of over 24,000 e-bikes after reports that the battery can overheat and cause a fire.
The urgent notice applies to all the brand’s bikes sold between December 2020 and November 2023 at nationwide retailers like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Sears, Wayfair and AliExpress.
Fortunately, there’s nothing wrong with the bike itself, just the battery, so the recall notice only applies to the battery and charger. If your bike is one of the models affected, you can call VIVI at 800-375-6103 or visit VIVI’s recall page to request your free new battery.
You don’t have to ship back your faulty battery either, but it’s important you don’t throw this lithium-ion battery into the trash (as it may catch fire), so find your nearest battery disposal or recycling site and drop it off there.
Some states or municipalities offer their own battery recycling services, but Walmart also partners with MRM to recycle used electronics, and you can drop the batteries off at the store (but check before you go, as not all stores offer this).
You can also use MRM’s Recycle Now location finder to spot your local drop-off point.
Which models are affected?
These are the VIVI e-bikes with faulty batteries, but you also need to check the specific battery model number (which can be found on the recall notice).
- C26
- MT20
- Z3
- M026SH
- H6
- H7
- MT26H
- 26LGB
- M026TGB
- MT26G
- FM20
- F20
- S3
- Z1
- Z2
Why do e-bikes keep catching fire?
You’ve probably seen variations on reports like this before, with e-bikes or other devices with large batteries catching fire or overheating. Although we’ve tested many of the best electric bikes, we haven’t taken a ride on VIVI’s, so I won’t comment on the quality of the brand’s bikes or what could have led to these urgent battery issues.
But this is commonly more of an issue with cheaper bikes. To keep costs down, the battery and other electronic components may not be tested to the same safety standards, or they may not have an effective Battery Management System (BMS) that prevents the battery from overheating during charging.
But that doesn’t mean you always need to avoid budget-friendly brands. There are cheaper e-bikes out there that are worth your money and are generally more dependable.
If you’re in the market for an e-bike that won’t break the bank (and hopefully won’t start a fire), we’ve tested a load of the best budget electric bikes, which are a good place to start.
Before you dive in and pick a new bike, though, it’s important to keep these e-bike safety tips in mind, like looking at the battery standard and making sure you store the bike securely.
Plus, you’re more likely to get prompt customer support if you choose a U.S. brand or a bike made in the U.S.A. This will also hopefully help keep the cost down, as Trump’s tariffs are going to hit e-bikes hard, especially those on the cheaper end, which are usually manufactured abroad.
About the Author
James Frew is Tom’s Guide’s Buying Guide Editor, overseeing the site’s buying advice. He was previously Fitness Editor, covering strength training workouts, cardio exercise, and accessible ways to improve your health and wellbeing. His first job at as a sales assistant in a department store, and this is where James learned how important it is to help people make purchasing decisions that are right for their needs, whether that’s a fountain pen to give as a gift or a new fridge for their kitchen. James is an advocate for sustainability and reparability, and focuses his reviews and advice through that lens to offer objective insights as to whether a specific product or service will be right for your needs.
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