Power Wheelchair Recalls

With power wheelchairs, there are two major problems:

1. One large power wheelchair company is currently doing the second largest recall in power wheelchair of over 70,000 units because the units' wiring catches fire. The person riding on the unit can be incinerated.
2. A second power wheelchair seller is recalling 123,000 two-piece, Asian made plastic rims. The rim is designed for 30 psi. The tire says inflate to 50 psi. The rims are exploding, putting out eyes, and fracturing hands, fingers, thumbs, breaking legs and tearing tendons and muscles requiring plastic and orthopedic surgery.

Obviously, the worst thing a buyer can do is walk into a dealer and say, "I want the 'red one'."

Today, too many manufacturers are putting their money into style and glitz, and not safety.

As with cars, you need to ask lots of questions.

Are you buying an Asian Yugo?

If it is most important for you to have a short and narrow scooter to go into the bathroom, then you also must accept you can't use it outside safely without putting yourself at significant risk.

Insist on knowing important safety features: incline stability ratings, moisture protection, runaway protection and throttle protection.