INDIANA — Groupe SEB USA, doing business as Rowenta USA, has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 3,660 Rowenta X-Force Flex cordless vacuum cleaners. The recall comes after the discovery of a defect in the lithium-ion battery housed in the vacuum’s handle, which can overheat and potentially ignite, posing serious fire and burn hazards.
The official safety recall was coordinated and announced in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on July 2, 2026.
The recall specifically impacts two models of the Rowenta X-Force Flex cordless vacuum, which were sold in red, black, and silver color variants:
- X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal — Model number RH99A2U1
- X-Force Flex 15.60 Animal — Model number RH99F2U1
The underlying safety hazard is tied directly to the Versatile X-Force lithium-ion battery (Model number ZR0097U2). Only battery units featuring a date code that begins with 23 or 24 (indicating they were manufactured prior to December 2024) are subject to this recall. Both the model number and the date code are printed on the back of the battery pack.
These batteries were distributed both as an included component with the vacuums and sold separately as individual accessories.
Recalled Units: Approx. 3,660 | Retail Price Range: $250 – $550 | Sales Window: July 2023 – January 2026
The affected products were available nationwide through major home goods retailers, including Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel, as well as online marketplaces such as Rowenta.com, Amazon.com, and Walmart.com.
Overheating Incidents and Battery Risks
According to official reports, the lithium-ion battery packs can experience localized overheating during active use or while charging. When lithium-ion batteries fail in this manner, they run the risk of swelling, rupturing, and exposing users to sudden ignition. Because the battery is located directly within the handle of the stick vacuum, consumers handle the hazardous component directly during normal operation.
To date, Rowenta has received two reports of battery overheating or charging failure within the United States. An additional 65 identical incidents have been documented globally. No injuries or structural property damage have been reported at this time.
Required Consumer Action and Disposal Guidelines
The CPSC advises all consumers to immediately stop using the recalled vacuum cleaners, remove the battery pack from the handle, and avoid plugging the units into any charging docks.
Step-by-Step Remedy Process
1.Check the Battery Specs:Immediate Action.
Safely detach the battery pack from the vacuum handle. Examine the label on the back to verify if the model number reads ZR0097U2 and the date code begins with 23 or 24.
2.Register Your Claim Online:Web Submission.
Visit the official portal at rowentausa.com/recall-campaign-xforce. Fill out the registration form to initiate a claim for a free replacement battery.
3.Upload Photographic Proof:Verification.
Take and upload a clear photograph showing the battery’s model number and date code to confirm your unit is part of the recalled batch. Rowenta will ship a brand-new, redesigned replacement battery free of charge once verified.
⚠️ Critical Disposal Notice: Do not throw the recalled lithium-ion battery into regular household trash, curbside recycling bins, or standard retail battery recycling boxes. Overheating-prime lithium-ion batteries present an elevated fire risk in municipal waste trucks and facilities. Consumers must contact their local municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) center for specific local disposal and drop-off guidance.
For further inquiries, consumers can contact Rowenta toll-free at 800-769-3682 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
