Thousands of electric bikes sold through major online retailers—including Walmart, Amazon, and eBay—are being recalled due to a dangerous defect that could cause the bikes’ lithium-ion batteries to overheat and catch fire.
The recall involves about 24,000 budget-friendly e-bikes produced by VIVI, with federal safety officials urging customers to stop using them right away. While no injuries have been reported so far, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says at least three fires and 14 overheating incidents have been linked to the issue.
A Popular Budget Brand Faces Fire Hazard Concerns
VIVI is one of the more affordable e-bike brands available online, with prices ranging from $365 to $950. That low-cost appeal made them a top pick for casual riders and first-time buyers. But now, questions about safety are piling up.
These e-bikes, sold between December 2020 and November 2023, are now under scrutiny after the CPSC flagged serious concerns with their batteries. The lithium-ion cells used in multiple VIVI models can overheat—and in some cases, catch fire—posing a serious safety risk.
At least 14 incidents have been reported so far, including three battery fires. Thankfully, no one has been hurt yet.
But customers are being told to take no chances.
Where the E-Bikes Were Sold—and Who Made Them
The affected bikes weren’t just sold on Walmart. They were available on a long list of online marketplaces:
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Amazon
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eBay
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Wish
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Wayfair
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Sears
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AliExpress
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VIVI’s official website
Basically, if you bought a VIVI bike online in the last few years, there’s a real chance you’ve got a recalled model in your garage or hallway.
The bikes were manufactured by Guangzhou Plenty Bicycle Co., Ltd. of China and distributed by Shenzhen Binxin Household Co., Ltd., doing business as VIVI E-bikes. These companies are not household names in the U.S., but they’re major players in the global e-bike supply chain.
How to Identify a Recalled E-Bike or Battery
So, how can you tell if your e-bike is one of the recalled ones? The CPSC says to check two things: the bike model and the battery model.
Model numbers are printed on the bike frame and also listed in your original order documentation. Battery model numbers, on the other hand, are printed directly on the battery itself.
Here’s where it gets tricky—there are several different affected models, and you’ll need to reference the full recall list on the CPSC website to know for sure. That list includes all the model numbers confirmed to contain the faulty batteries.
Customers who find their bike on the list are being instructed to stop riding immediately and contact VIVI for a free replacement battery and charger.
Disposing of the old battery improperly could cause a fire hazard at home or during waste transport.
What to Do with the Old Batteries
This isn’t as simple as tossing the battery in the trash. You absolutely shouldn’t do that.
VIVI and the CPSC stress that affected batteries must be disposed of at household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facilities. Most cities and counties in the U.S. have designated drop-off points for these kinds of dangerous items.
Do not throw them in the curbside recycling bin.
Do not drop them off at retail stores that collect used batteries.
And definitely do not leave them sitting around indoors.
VIVI is providing detailed instructions for safe disposal through their recall support team. Customers can also contact local waste authorities for guidance.
Experts Warn of Broader Risks from Cheap E-Bike Batteries
The VIVI recall has reignited an ongoing conversation about battery safety, especially in cheaper e-bike models that cut corners to keep prices low.
Micah Toll, a reporter at Electrek, didn’t mince words. He wrote: “Cheap batteries are risky batteries. UL certification isn’t legally required in most places (yet), but if a company isn’t willing to invest in the most basic safety testing, it should raise alarm bells.”
The U.S. doesn’t currently require UL certification (a globally recognized safety standard) for e-bike batteries, but experts have long pushed for stricter oversight.
Here’s why this matters:
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Fires from faulty lithium-ion batteries can spread fast, especially indoors
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Many budget e-bikes skip UL testing to cut costs
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Consumer demand for low-priced e-bikes is booming, even as safety concerns grow
That’s a volatile mix, especially as more Americans bring e-bikes into their homes and apartments.
More Recalls Could Be Coming—And Consumers Are Paying Attention
This isn’t the first recall related to e-bike batteries, and it probably won’t be the last.
Over the past year, other brands have also faced recalls or lawsuits tied to battery fires, particularly as demand for e-bikes exploded post-pandemic. Sales surged during COVID lockdowns, and now that same boom is exposing weak links in quality control.
Consumer groups and fire departments alike are sounding the alarm.
VIVI’s recall might be the biggest of its kind this year, but the issue is far from isolated. Cities like New York have already passed stricter local laws requiring UL-certified e-bike batteries in an effort to prevent fires in densely packed apartment buildings.
Now, with national attention turning to Walmart and Amazon’s role in distributing these potentially dangerous products, the pressure is mounting.
