Max Mobility recalled thousands of SmartDrive Wheelchair Speed Control Dials after 5 people were seriously injured when their wheelchair unexpectedly moved, stopped, or malfunctioned.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Max Mobility SmartDrive Wheelchair injury cases in all 50 states. If you were injured by a Speed Control Dial that malfunctioned on a wheelchair with a SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
SmartDrive Wheelchair Speed Control Dial Recall
In April 2025, Max Mobility recalled all Speed Control Dials for wheelchairs with SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Devices after 5 people were seriously injured and nearly 800 reports of unintended motion, loss of control, sudden stops, and other performance issues.
What Happened?
As of March 27, 2025, the recalled SmartDrive Speed Control Dial was linked to 781 complaints and 5 serious injuries, including:
- Fractured hip
- Fractured tibia (broken shin bone)
- Fractured malleolus bone (broken ankle)
- Broken ribs
- Concussion
What is the SmartDrive Wheelchair Power Assist?
Max Mobility / Permobil manufactures the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist System, a lightweight battery-powered extra wheel that helps people in wheelchairs get around.
It attaches onto the back axle of a manual wheelchair, with a single motorized wheel that is powered by a rechargeable battery. The wheel provides extra power to reduce the number of pushes it takes to tackle difficult terrain like hills, ramps, thick carpet, or grass.
What is the Speed Control Dial?
The Speed Control Dial is an optional accessory that is wired directly into the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist System. It allows wheelchair users to start, stop, and change speed on-the-go by rotating the dial.
Bad Circuit Boards Linked to SmartDrive Problems
Max Mobility recalled thousands of Speed Control Dial accessories for SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Devices due to a circuit board defect that may cause the SmartDrive motor to be unresponsive to the user. Specifically, the SmartDrive motor may continue to run, unexpectedly stop or start moving, or fail to start.
The FDA has classified this as a Class 1 recall — the most serious type — due to the potential risk of severe injury or death.
What Are The Performance Problems?
The performance problems linked to SmartDrive Speed Control Dials include:
- Does not stop: SmartDrive motor does not fully stop when the Speed Control Dial is rotated to zero.
- Involuntary movement: SmartDrive motor unexpectedly starts moving when the Speed Control Dial is at zero.
- Loss of power: This occurs when the Speed Control Dial is used to start SmartDrive motor movement, and then the Speed Control Dial unexpectedly shuts down.
- Fails to start: Speed Control Dial fails to activate the SmartDrive motor when the dial is rotated forward from the zero position.
What Are The Safety Risks?
Depending on the scenario, problems with the SmartDrive Wheelchair Speed Control Dial may lead to minor and/or major injuries to the wheelchair user or bystanders. The recall provides examples, such as:
- Minor injuries such as skin irritation, minor cuts, and bruises
- Serious injuries such as a muscle or ligament strain or tear, bone fracture in an extremity, and/or concussion
- There is also a risk associated with individuals standing or sitting in close proximity to the end user, where unintentional activation and/or inability to turn off power assist could cause serious injury such as a bone fracture in an extremity.
Timeline of SmartDrive Wheelchair Recalls
On April 5, 2025, Max Mobility / Permobil announced an expanded recall for all SmartDrive Speed Control Dials due to safety risks and performance issues.
The expanded recall involves ALL Speed Control Dials (Model Numbers: MX2-3DCK and MX2-3DC) that were manufactured and distributed between August 17, 2023 and March 10, 2025.
The original recall was announced on December 20, 2024, but it was expanded to include all Speed Control Dials because some of the recalled dials may have been accidentally mixed with the redesigned dials and shipped out after the recall on December 20, 2024.
What Should I Do?
Wheelchair users (or bystanders) who were injured by a recalled Speed Control Dial may be able to seek justice and financial compensation from Max Mobility / Permobil. You may qualify to file a lawsuit if you:
- Used a SmartDrive Speed Control Dial between August 17, 2023 and March 10, 2025
- Experienced a performance issue like unexpected starts, stops, failure to start, or loss of control.
- You were injured, hospitalized, or needed medical treatment due to a SmartDrive Speed Control Dial that malfunctioned.
- You have documentation of your use of the SmartDrive Speed Control Dial and your injury, hospitalization, or other losses.
Do I Have a Max Mobility SmartDrive Wheelchair Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Max Mobility SmartDrive Wheelchair injury cases in all 50 states. If you were injured by a Speed Control Dial that malfunctioned on a wheelchair with a SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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