Sunita Somvanshi
Max Mobility/Permobil has expanded its nationwide recall of the SmartDrive Speed Control Dial, affecting all units manufactured between August 17, 2023, and March 10, 2025. The expansion comes after discovering recalled products may have been mixed with redesigned ones and shipped after the initial December 2024 recall.
The recall targets a specific component used with the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device for wheelchairs. Part numbers MX2-3DCK and MX2-3DC are affected due to a material change in the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) that creates serious safety risks.
Users face four major performance issues: continued drive when the dial is at zero position, involuntary movement during standby mode, unexpected power loss during operation, and failure of the motor to start.
These malfunctions have resulted in 781 complaints and five serious injuries as of March 27, 2025—up from 646 complaints and three injuries reported in January. The documented serious injuries include a fractured hip, fractured tibia, fractured malleolus bone, broken ribs, and a concussion.
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The FDA has classified this as a Class I recall, indicating that “use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” This classification represents the highest level of risk in the FDA recall system.
“Max Mobility/Permobil has identified a material change with the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) in the Speed Control Dial. The material change can cause performance issues such as: continued drive, involuntary movement, loss of power, failure to start driving,” the company stated in the FDA announcement.
Users should immediately stop using the Speed Control Dial and switch to alternative control methods:
- Wired options like Switch Control buttons or Switch Control with mono jack and mechanical switch
- Wearable controllers via compatible Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS app
The company will contact affected users with instructions for obtaining replacements. Technical support is available at (615) 257-2930, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CT.
This recall exemplifies how seemingly minor component changes can have serious safety implications for users who depend on mobility devices for independence. The expanding scope indicates ongoing quality control challenges that directly impact consumer safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SmartDrive Speed Control Dial is a wired control option for the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device, which helps wheelchair users by providing powered assistance. The recall is due to a material change in the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) that can cause the motor to be unresponsive to user commands. This creates safety risks like continued driving when trying to stop, involuntary movement, unexpected power loss, or failure to start.
Your device is affected if you have a SmartDrive Speed Control Dial with part numbers MX2-3DCK or MX2-3DC manufactured between August 17, 2023, and March 10, 2025. Max Mobility/Permobil is contacting affected users directly, but you can also check your device’s part number and manufacturing date or contact the company’s technical support at (615) 257-2930.
If your device is affected, you should immediately stop using the Speed Control Dial. Instead, use an alternative control method such as Switch Control buttons, Switch Control with mono jack and mechanical switch, or a compatible smartwatch app (Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS). Max Mobility/Permobil will contact you with instructions for obtaining a replacement dial.
Yes, as of March 27, 2025, there have been 781 complaints and 5 serious injuries reported. The serious injuries include a fractured hip, fractured tibia, fractured malleolus bone, broken ribs, and a concussion. This is an increase from the 646 complaints and 3 serious injuries reported in January 2025, showing the growing impact of the issue.
The recall is described as voluntary by Max Mobility/Permobil, but it has been classified as a Class I recall by the FDA. A Class I classification is the most serious type of recall and indicates that “use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” The FDA is monitoring the recall process to ensure user safety.
For more information or assistance, you can contact Max Mobility/Permobil’s technical support team at (615) 257-2930. They are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CT. The company has also established an online portal for the recall process: https://hub.permobil.com/smartdrive-scd-voluntary-field-action. Through this portal, you can request replacement units and receive further instructions.
