It's been rated "the best electric scooter" by some popular outlets, but a government commission advises users not to use—or even charge—the device.
Nearly 18,000 Popular Scooters Sold at Walmart and Sam’s Club Recalled Nationwide
Published on Feb. 20, 2025
With spring soon to break in the not-too-distant future, modes of getting around in the fresh air start to feel appealingly adventurous…and often present a way to burn a few extra calories. Unfortunately wearing a helmet isn’t the only precaution. A new recall from one of the largest retailers in the country highlights a potentially serious issue with a market favorite scooter used for recreation.
On February 20, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Walmart is recalling nearly 18,000 Swagtron SG-5 Swagger 5 Boost Commuter Electric Scooters due to the scooters’ lithium-ion batteries posing as a major burn or fire risk that could result in either “serious injury and death.” (The official report lists the number of recalled units as “About 17,970.”) The manufacturer’s site says the scooter has been rated “the best electric scooter overall” by Men’s Health, and the “best for modest budgets” by CNET.
The CPSC announcement says the electric scooters were sold Walmart and Sam’s Club stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com and SamsClub.com from May 2018 through October 2024 for between $175 and $450. Consumers may look for the following details to confirm if an electric scooter is part of the recall:
- SG-5 Swagger 5 Boost Commuter Electric Scooters
- Sold in black or silver coloring
- Large lettering that says “SWAGGER 5” on the handlebars’ stem
- Any of the following model numbers, which can be located on the side of the scooter’s deck (where someone puts their feet):
- SWGR5-V2-SLV
- SWGR5-V2-2
- SG5 Boost
- SG-5S
- 96262-2
- 96262-9
- SG-5S
- 96560-2
Currently, seven issues have been reported from consumers in regards to the lithium-ion batteries malfunctioning by overheating, smoking, melting, or igniting. The recall notice also says one of the battery ignitions created a fire, “causing a burn injury and substantial property damage to a residential apartment building.”
Interestingly, CPSC says “The manufacturer, Swagtron, of South Bend, Indiana, has not been responsive to CPSC’s request for information about this product or to CPSC’s request for a recall.” Instead, the retailer, Walmart, agreed to issue the recall for any products that were purchased at either Walmart or Sam’s Club, both in-person or online. At press time, the product appears to be marked as out of stock on Swagtron’s website.
Consumers in possession of the recalled scooters are instructed to stop using or charging the products. In addition, the electric scooter’s throttle cord should be cut (the recall does not provide additional instructions on the throttle cord’s location) and disposed of properly in accordance with any local or state guidelines for hazardous waste disposal. Because the scooters have lithium-ion batteries, “these potentially hazardous batteries must be handled differently than other batteries.” Consumers are cautioned to not throw the recalled lithium-ion batteries into regular trash or used battery recycling boxes.
Customers who originally purchased the recalled scooters from either Walmart or Sam’s Club should receive an email with refund instructions.
By the way, does riding a scooter really burn calories? The U.K.’s Skatehut suggests the balance and muscle coordination the activity engages is said to consume about five calories per minute, which is a similar rate to walking.
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