Max Mobility / Permobil Issues Nationwide Recall of SmartDrive Speed Control Dial Due to the Motor Being Unresponsive to the User

Max Mobility and Permobil issued a wheelchair related recall. A component failure may render the chair inoperable. This may pose serious risks to wheelchair bound people. The FDA notice about the recall is here:

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/max-mobility-permobil-issues-nationwide-recall-smartdrive-speed-control-dial-due-motor-being

SmartDrive’s Speed Control Dial May Pose Serious Risks to Wheelchair Users

The FDA recently announced a nationwide recall of the SmartDrive Speed Control Dial by Max Mobility and Permobil due to reports of serious injuries linked to its motor system. This recall directly impacts many individuals who rely on this device to enhance their mobility.

At Ketterer, Browne, and Associates, LLC, this issue has caught the attention not just of our product liability lawyers, but also our attorneys who handle brain injury, spinal cord injury, and paralysis cases. We serve clients who have become wheelchair bound due to catastrophic injuries from falls, electric shock incidents, trucking accidents, and other causes. We understand how critical devices like the SmartDrive are to maintaining independence and quality of life.

Why Was the SmartDrive Speed Control Dial Recalled?

The SmartDrive Speed Control Dial recall comes after multiple reports of injuries. The SmartDrive Speed Control Dial injuries range from minor bruises to severe trauma caused by these unexpected motorized surges.

The FDA recall identifies a motor issue that can cause sudden, unintentional movements. This recall is classified by the FDA as a Class I recall, the most serious type, due to the risk of serious injury or death if the device continues to be used.

The design of the SmartDrive Speed Control Dial tries to help manual wheelchair users by adding a motorized boost. This is to help reduce physical strain from manually pushing the chair. However, the SpeedControl Dial component used with the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device has a potential circuit board issue. This issue could cause the motor to become unresponsive and that could potentially increases the risk of injury for those using the recalled wheelchair. This may result in the device continuing to move on its own, losing power, or failing to start driving.

The recall affects the SpeedControl Dial component used with the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device, and specifically impacts units with part numbers MX2-3DCK and MX2-3DC, manufactured between August 17, 2023, and November 21, 2024. The recall includes all serial numbers within this timeframe.

Many wheelchair users have medical conditions that sudden stops, jerking around, or falls would worsen significantly. Some users are independent and being stuck under a wheelchair or imobile could be catastrophic. 

Permobil advises all users to stop using the Speed Control Dial immediately and to contact them for further instructions. More information is available on the official FDA recall page.

The Impact on Wheelchair Users in Nursing Homes

Our firm litigates and tries nursing home cases. Accordingly, we immediately thought of vulnerable residents in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. 

For individuals living in nursing homes, this recall is particularly alarming. Some residents depend on devices like the SmartDrive for daily mobility. Sudden malfunctions not only endanger their safety, but also hinder their independence. 

Our team has worked extensively with nursing home residents and their families in cases involving defective medical devices, ensuring they receive the compensation and care they deserve. We are here for any person or family this wheelchair recall impacts. 

Legal Rights for Users of the Permobil SmartDrive Speed Control Dial Wheelchair

If a defective SmartDrive Speed Control Dial injured you or a loved one, you may have a right to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are safe before releasing them to the public. When they fail to meet this obligation, they can be held accountable.If this Permobil recall affects you, contact KBA today, 855-KBA-LAWS (522-5297). 

Connecting the Dots: Other Medical Device Recalls

This recall is one of many instances or a medical device recall. A recall can involve serious consequences. As medical device lawyers, we cover medical device recalls. Here are some recent medical device recalls we have addressed:

• https://kbaattorneys.com/mass-tort-class-action/biozorb-device-recall/
• https://kbaattorneys.com/philips-recall-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-outpatient-telemetry-monitoring-system-correction/
• https://kbaattorneys.com/heartmate-ii-recall-and-heart-3-recall-heartmate-injury-and-heartmate-death/ 
• https://kbaattorneys.com/electrode-pad-injury/
• https://kbaattorneys.com/impella-heart-pump-recall-perforated-left-ventricular-wall/
• https://kbaattorneys.com/boston-scientific-recall-cryoablation-balloons-polarx-recall-and-polarx-fit-recall/
• https://kbaattorneys.com/accolade-pacemaker-accolade-proponent-essentio-altrua-visionist-and-valitude-pacemaker-recall/ 
• https://kbaattorneys.com/boston-scientific-recall-accolade-pacemaker-recall/ 

Medical device recalls like this Max Mobility SmartDrive Speed Control Dial recall highlight the need for patients to stay abreast of information about products they use. 

Personal Injury Attorney – Our Commitment to Catastrophically Injured Clients

At KBA, we have seen firsthand how life-changing catastrophic injuries can be. Our experience with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis cases informs our deep understanding of the importance of assistive devices like the SmartDrive. From falls to electric shock incidents and trucking accidents, we represent clients whose lives have been altered in an instant. These individuals depend on safe, reliable equipment to regain independence and dignity.

Stay Informed and Protected

To stay updated on recalls and safety alerts, consider subscribing to our blog. If you have questions about the Permobil wheelchair, the SmartDrive recall or other defective medical devices, contact Ketterer, Browne, and Associates, LLC. We are committed to protecting the rights of those unsafe products affect. 

For further details on this recall, visit the ABC27 News coverage here.

New Update: Max Mobility/Permobil Expands Nationwide Recall of SmartDrive Speed Control Dials

Recall Date: April 7, 2025
Manufacturer: Max Mobility / Permobil
Product: Speed Control Dial for SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device
Hazard: Risk of unresponsive or erratic motor behavior that can cause serious injuries

What You Need to Know:
Max Mobility and Permobil have expanded a nationwide recall of the Speed Control Dial used in the SmartDrive MX2+ wheelchair power assist device due to a defective circuit board. This defect can lead to:

• Continued or unintended movement of the wheelchair

• Sudden power loss or failure to engage

• Serious injury, including broken bones and concussions

At least 781 complaints have been filed and 5 serious injuries have been reported, including fractures and head trauma.

Affected Units:
All Speed Control Dials manufactured and distributed between August 17, 2023, and March 10, 2025 are included in the recall.

What to Do:
Users should stop using the Speed Control Dial immediately and switch to an alternate control option (such as a wearable or button-based controller). To request a free replacement unit, visit the recall portal:
🔗 hub.permobil.com/smartdrive-scd-voluntary-field-action

Dealers and end users must complete the online form to receive replacements and instructions for returning or destroying affected units.

Need Help?
Contact Max Mobility / Permobil Technical Support at (615) 257-2930 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM CT).