Last month, Amazon had to recall more than 5.5 million products after serious safety risks came to light. This included items that could catch fire, cause suffocation, or make people seriously ill. Some fitness equipment was so unsafe it caused broken bones.
What makes this different from past recalls is that Amazon can no longer dodge the blame. After years of avoiding legal responsibility, the company is now being held accountable. Federal regulators are forcing Amazon to take real action. This shift is just the beginning. To understand how it all started, we need to look at the recalls themselves.
Why So Many Items Were Pulled All at Once
The June 2025 recalls covered a wide range of serious safety issues. Some mattresses didn’t meet fire safety rules. Baby loungers posed suffocation risks. Some food products had undeclared allergens that could cause allergic reactions.
The Crayan mattresses were especially concerning; 100,000 units sold only on Amazon were pulled for fire hazards. Medical devices were also flagged. These included IV catheters that could break off inside the body and blood sets that weren’t properly assembled.
Some ventilators had critical malfunctions. These problems weren’t small defects. They were life-threatening risks that demanded urgent action. And the most dangerous items were still ahead.
Two Products Made Up Most of the Problem
Nearly 4.8 million of the recalled items came from just two products. One was the BowFlex adjustable dumbbell from Johnson Health Tech. More than 3.8 million were recalled after users reported the weight plates were falling off. Some people suffered concussions and broken bones.
The second major recall came from Anker’s portable power banks. Over 1.1 million were pulled due to fire and burn risks. Faulty batteries were overheating and, in some cases, catching fire. Nineteen fires were reported. These weren’t obscure gadgets. They were popular household items found in homes across the country. But they weren’t the only ones.
Baby Walkers, Blankets, and Furniture Also Got Recalled
Some of the most dangerous recalls involved everyday products for kids and families. Baby walkers sold only on Amazon didn’t stop at stair edges and were too wide for doorways, putting infants at risk of falls. Some baby loungers were recalled for causing suffocation and entrapment. Even dressers were dangerous.
The YaFiti model could tip over and trap or injure a child. AstroAI minifridges were pulled after causing fires and more than $360,000 in damages. MaxKare electric blankets posed burn hazards. The list kept growing. Shoppers weren’t just facing product issues; they were dealing with real safety threats inside their homes.
What Amazon Says It’s Doing About It
Amazon says it’s now taking recalls more seriously. After pressure from regulators, the company created a public page for recalls and safety alerts. Customers will get emails about any recalled items they bought.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is also requiring Amazon to keep recall information online for at least five years. But Amazon still insists it isn’t a product distributor.
In fact, in March this year, Amazon sued the CPSC, claiming it has no legal duty to manage recalls like a retailer would. This legal fight isn’t over, but in the meantime, buyers are left figuring out how to stay safe.
What You Can Do if You Bought a Recalled Product
If you bought a recalled product from Amazon, you’re likely eligible for a refund. Amazon must honor refund requests if buyers show proof they’ve destroyed or thrown away the item. A banner may show up on your “Your Orders” page linking you to the recall. But many customers say the process hasn’t been smooth. Some got partial refunds for unrelated items.
Others had their accounts frozen after filing refund claims. Some were told to call the product maker directly, even though Amazon is supposed to handle it. Experts say to take photos and keep records in case problems come up.
How Third-Party Sellers Make Things Worse
A big reason for the recall chaos is Amazon’s heavy reliance on outside sellers. More than 60% of sales come from independent vendors, many of them overseas. That means Amazon often doesn’t control the product’s quality until something goes wrong. Items like Crayan mattresses and some baby loungers came from third-party sellers with little oversight.
The CPSC responded by ordering recalls for 400,000 products sold through Amazon’s own warehouse system. This showed that Amazon had control over shipping and storage. Experts say this could push Amazon to clean up its marketplace and remove sellers who don’t follow safety rules.
Who’s in Charge of Product Safety in the U.S.?
Two main agencies watch over product safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) handles most household goods, from cribs to appliances. The FDA oversees medical devices and food products. The CPSC says injuries, deaths, and property damage from unsafe products cost the U.S. over $1 trillion each year.
Last month alone, the FDA recalled faulty ventilators, IV equipment, and iron supplements with packaging that could poison kids. Medical device recalls are at a 15-year high. These agencies also keep public databases where anyone can look up recalled products. Their work helps catch threats early before more people get hurt.
Why This Isn’t Just a One-Time Mistake
This recall wave shows a much deeper issue with how Amazon runs its marketplace. The company earns billions by letting other sellers list products while avoiding responsibility when things go wrong. Even when Amazon stores and ships the product, it often claims it’s not liable.
In 2023, Amazon made $575 billion, but buyers had little protection from dangerous goods. The CPSC’s ruling now sets a new standard. If a company controls the sale and shipment, it’s responsible for safety. Experts say this could lead to tougher rules for all online platforms. The way online shopping works may soon change.
How to Check if You Bought a Recalled Product
Millions of these unsafe products may still be sitting in homes. You don’t have to wait for an email from Amazon. Log in and go to “Account & Lists” > “Account” > “Recalls and Product Safety Alerts.” Look out for recalled items like BowFlex dumbbells (models 552 and 1090), Anker power banks (models A1257, A1647, A1652, A1681, A1689), and Crayan mattresses. Pay close attention to anything you’ve bought for kids or babies.
Even if you bought it years ago, it could still be recalled. Check regularly. Consumer advocates say that staying informed can help prevent injuries, house fires, or worse.