FDA Issues Class I Correction for mo-Vis R-net Wheelchair Joysticks Over Dangerous Firmware Error

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class I medical device recall—the agency’s most serious level of recall—for certain mo-Vis BVBA R-net wheelchair joysticks after discovering a firmware error that can cause powered wheelchairs to move unexpectedly. While this recall is officially labeled as a “correction” rather than a product removal, the risk of serious injury or death makes this a critical issue for wheelchair users and caregivers.

What the Recall Involves

Mo-Vis BVBA manufactures alternative wheelchair joysticks that are installed on power wheelchairs to provide users with more accessible drive options. These joysticks connect to a wheelchair’s control box, allowing users who cannot operate standard joysticks to safely maneuver their devices.

The recall affects all mo-Vis R-net joysticks with firmware version 2.3 or lower, including:

• Micro Joystick R-net

• Multi Joystick R-net

• IDM-MICRO-R

• IDM-MULTI-R

• All-round Joystick R-net (Standard, Light, and Heavy Duty)

• IDM-ARLITE-R

Serial numbers within the ranges 1000–1690 (for Micro and Multi Joystick models) and 1000–2647 (for All-round models) are impacted.

The Risk

According to the FDA, a flaw in the software allows the joystick to ignore the neutral setting. This means that even when a user intends to stop or keep their wheelchair stationary, the wheelchair may continue moving on its own.

This malfunction can cause:

• Falls and collisions

• Head injuries and concussions

• Chronic pain and reduced independence

• Infections requiring surgery

• Prolonged hospitalization

• Death in the most severe cases

There has already been one report of injury. Though no deaths are currently linked to the defect.

Why the FDA Classified This Recall as Class I

The FDA assigns a Class I designation when a device poses a risk of causing serious injury or death. Even though mo-Vis BVBA is not removing the joysticks from service, the danger of uncontrolled wheelchair movement is significant enough for the agency to issue its strongest warning.

This is not a minor inconvenience—it is a life-threatening malfunction that impacts patients who already depend on their wheelchairs for daily mobility and independence.

What Users Should Do

On July 10, 2025, mo-Vis BVBA sent an Urgent Medical Recall Notice to all affected customers. The company instructed users to:

1. Perform a software upgrade to version 2.6 during their next scheduled annual maintenance.

2. Follow the provided step-by-step instructions to update any affected device.

3. Verify the correction by confirming that firmware version 2.6 is installed.

4. Contact mo-Vis at contact@mo-vis.com or +32-9-335-28-60 for assistance with the update.

It is critical for wheelchair users and caregivers to act promptly. Until the correction is applied, these joysticks may remain unsafe.

The Role of UDIs in Medical Device Recalls

This recall also highlights the importance of the FDA’s Unique Device Identifier (UDI) system. Each affected joystick has a UDI number that allows healthcare providers, patients, and regulators to identify specific products.

The UDI system improves transparency by making it easier to:

• Track defective devices from manufacturing through patient use.

• Report adverse events.

• Correct problems faster across the healthcare system.

Consumers and medical professionals can check UDIs using the FDA’s AccessGUDID database to confirm whether their device is affected.

Broader Implications for Patient Safety

This incident underscores how even seemingly small firmware errors can have devastating real-world consequences for patients. A wheelchair joystick is not just a convenience—it is a lifeline for independence, safety, and daily functioning.

When a device fails to perform as intended, the result can be catastrophic for vulnerable individuals who already face mobility challenges. Beyond the physical harm, such failures can erode trust in medical device manufacturers and leave patients fearful of the very tools designed to support them.

KBD Attorneys and Medical Device Safety

At KBD Attorneys, we closely monitor recalls like this because they highlight the risks that patients face when manufacturers fail to test, monitor, and correct their products effectively. Our legal team has written extensively about other and similar FDA Class I recalls, including:

• The Abiomed Impella heart pump recall, which involved software and operational malfunctions with life-threatening consequences.

• Widespread Amazon recalls, where defective or unapproved products reached consumers without proper safeguards.

• Permobil Wheelchair Recall – the Max Mobility Permobil SmartDrive Speed Control Dial

Each of these recalls has one thing in common: patients were put at risk because companies failed to ensure safety.

Our firm is committed to advocating for victims of defective (medical) devices. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a recalled or malfunctioning product, you may have the right to pursue legal action. We hold manufacturers accountable and fight for compensation that can cover medical bills, lost independence, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.

Final Takeaway

The mo-Vis R-net joystick recall serves as an urgent reminder that medical device safety is not optional—it is essential. For power wheelchair users, a reliable joystick is the difference between safe mobility and life-altering harm.

If you or someone you care for uses a mo-Vis joystick, confirm the firmware version immediately and take steps to perform the correction. And if harm has already occurred due to a defective medical device, know that legal options exist to seek justice. You can contact KBD for a free consultation.

At KBD Attorneys, we stand by patients and families navigating these difficult situations. Our mission is to hold negligent manufacturers accountable and to ensure that vulnerable people are protected from preventable harm.