Product recallOPSS
Zodiac Freerider RF 5200 iQ Wireless Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner recalled over a fire risk
Product Recall for Zodiac Freerider Wireless Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner presenting a risk of fire.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice 
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
4 identifiers listed for this notice.
Zodiac Freerider RF 5200 iQ Wireless Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner
- Batch codePrinted on the pack, often next to the date mark. It may start with L or LOT.
- 4923
- 5123
- 5223
- ModelOn the rating label, base, back or box.
- RF 5200 iQ
What to do now
The risk with Zodiac Freerider RF 5200 iQ Wireless Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner is fire: a fault could cause it to overheat, melt or ignite.
- Stop using and charging it now, and unplug it.
- Keep it somewhere cool and clear of soft furnishings. Never put lithium batteries in the household bin.
- Follow the corrective action in the notice: a refund, repair or replacement from Zodiac.
- Incidents and injuries can be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.
Why it matters. Faulty chargers, batteries and appliances are a common cause of house fires. A fire can start while the product is charging or switched on and nobody is watching.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- make sure you have working smoke alarms
Get help urgently
- if it starts to smoke, smell of burning or catch fire, get everyone out and call 999
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Refunds, repairs and replacements
Contact the retailer or the brand using the details in the official notice. Keep your receipt, order confirmation or bank statement if you have one, but a recall remedy should not depend on it.
If you paid by credit card and the item cost more than £100, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act may let you claim from the card provider. For smaller amounts or debit cards, ask your bank about a chargeback.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2409-0066). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Recall for Zodiac Freerider Wireless Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner presenting a risk of fire.
The risk
The product presents a risk of fire because the injection moulding parameters on the assembly line did not cover the necessary cooling time of the battery block (where the battery is installed), meaning that the block was weakened. When the battery was screwed into the plastic block during assembly, cracks and/or weak points developed in the plastic casing compromising the watertightness of the battery enclosure. This can result in water entering and mixing with the lithium in the battery, leading to a short-circuit, overheating, and/or the battery entering into thermal runaway, resulting in a fire.
The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
Action taken
The product has been recalled from end users.
Advice to consumers
The product has been recalled from end users.
Fluidra requests all consumers to check whether their automatic robotic cleaner is affected by this voluntary safety measure and cease use immediately.
Access further information on the Zodiac website at the following link: https://www.zodiac-poolcare.co.uk/support/recall
Additional information
PSD case number: 2409-0066
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Blue cordless robotic pool cleaner.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Zodiac Freerider RF 5200 iQ Wireless Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner been recalled?
The risk with Zodiac Freerider RF 5200 iQ Wireless Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner is fire: a fault could cause it to overheat, melt or ignite. Faulty chargers, batteries and appliances are a common cause of house fires. A fire can start while the product is charging or switched on and nobody is watching.
How do I know if my product is affected?
Compare the batch code and model on your product with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the notice.
What should I do now?
Stop using and charging it now, and unplug it. Keep it somewhere cool and clear of soft furnishings. Never put lithium batteries in the household bin.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Contact the retailer or the brand using the details in the official notice. Keep your receipt, order confirmation or bank statement if you have one, but a recall remedy should not depend on it. If you paid by credit card and the item cost more than £100, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act may let you claim from the card provider. For smaller amounts or debit cards, ask your bank about a chargeback.
