Santa Cruz Heckler 9 Battery Recall: Fire Risk and Free Replacement
Last Updated on September 30, 2026 by Kristina
Update – September 30, 2026: The current U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission record continues to list the 2025 Santa Cruz Heckler 9 battery recall and its free replacement-battery remedy. The recall applies only to certain affected batteries, not every Heckler 9. Owners of potentially affected bikes should stop riding, disconnect the battery from both the bike and charger, and check the battery serial number through Santa Cruz’s recall tool before riding again.
For more help understanding e-bike battery safety, see Electric Bike Explorer’s e-bike battery guide. You can also review the updated Super73 recall coverage and follow the Electric Bike News archive for additional safety updates.
Current Recall Status
CPSC recall 25-244 was issued on May 1, 2025. The current CPSC record continues to list the original recall scope and remedy: owners of affected batteries should stop using the bike and receive a free replacement battery from Santa Cruz.
The recall covers about 2,850 bikes in the United States, plus about 550 sold in Canada.
Which Heckler 9 Batteries Are Affected?
Not every Santa Cruz Heckler 9 is part of this recall. Santa Cruz says the recall applies to certain 720Wh lithium-ion batteries installed in Heckler 9 bikes manufactured before February 2023.
The original version of this article described the battery as 720W. Santa Cruz’s current recall materials identify the battery capacity as 720Wh, which is the appropriate capacity unit.
Owners should use Santa Cruz’s battery serial-number lookup tool to determine whether a particular battery is affected.
How to Check the Battery Serial Number
Remove the battery from the bike and locate the battery serial number as directed by Santa Cruz. Then enter that information into the company’s recall lookup tool.
If the lookup shows that the battery is not affected, Santa Cruz says the rider can return to using the bike. If it is affected, follow the replacement process below and keep the bike out of service until the recall steps are complete.
What Owners Should Do Immediately
- Stop riding the bike.
- Disconnect the battery from both the bike and the charger.
- Check the battery serial number using Santa Cruz’s official recall lookup tool.
- If the battery is affected, register with Santa Cruz for the free replacement battery.
- Write “Recalled” on the affected battery and upload the required photograph as part of the recall process.
- Remove and keep the downtube cover before disposing of the battery because Santa Cruz says that cover is needed with the replacement battery.
- Only after completing the recall-registration requirements should the affected battery be disposed of according to the recalled lithium-ion battery instructions.
How the Free Replacement Works
Santa Cruz is providing a free replacement battery for confirmed affected batteries.
Owners should complete the company’s recall registration process before disposing of the original battery. That process includes marking the affected battery “Recalled” and uploading a photograph as instructed.
Do not throw away the downtube cover with the old battery. Santa Cruz specifically tells owners to remove and keep it for use with the replacement battery.
How to Dispose of the Recalled Battery Safely
Recalled lithium-ion batteries require special handling. CPSC says they should not be placed in household trash, curbside recycling, general recycling, or ordinary retail battery-recycling collection boxes.
A municipal household hazardous-waste facility may accept a recalled lithium-ion battery, but owners should call first and specifically ask whether the facility accepts recalled lithium-ion batteries. If it does not, contact the local municipality or waste authority for the proper disposal instructions.
Fire Reports and Injury Status
CPSC continues to list three reported fires involving the affected batteries, including some property damage.
No injuries were reported in the 2025 recall notice.
Where and When the Bikes Were Sold
For the U.S. recall, CPSC says the affected bikes were sold through Santa Cruz bicycle dealers nationwide from October 2021 through January 2025 for about $8,750 to $13,900.
Santa Cruz’s broader global recall materials use a slightly different sales window. Because this article focuses on the U.S. CPSC recall, the CPSC dates are used here.
An Important Note About the Separate 2022 Heckler 9 Recall
Santa Cruz has had two different Heckler 9 battery-related recalls, and owners should not confuse them.
The 2022 Heckler 9 recall involved the battery latch mechanism and called for a repair. CPSC said that earlier issue could allow the battery to fall out of the frame, creating fall and fire hazards. Santa Cruz now lists that 2022 recall as closed.
The 2025 recall covered here is different. It concerns battery overheating and fire risk, and the remedy is replacement of the affected battery.
How to Contact Santa Cruz
Owners should use Santa Cruz’s official recall page and battery lookup tool for the most current instructions:
Santa Cruz Heckler 9 lithium-ion battery recall
CPSC also lists Santa Cruz customer support at 833-944-8335, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.
My Take
This is a recall where the order of operations matters. Owners should not simply remove the battery and dispose of it immediately. First confirm whether the battery is affected, register for the replacement, complete the required photo step, and keep the downtube cover before arranging proper disposal.
The other important point is that not every Heckler 9 is included. Using the battery serial-number lookup is more reliable than assuming the bike is recalled based only on model name, color, or appearance.
📰 How This Story Was Verified
This report is based on the current U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall record and Santa Cruz Bicycles’ live recall instructions. Where the two sources use slightly different wording or dates, this article identifies the distinction rather than treating them as identical.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – 2025 Santa Cruz Heckler 9 recall
- Santa Cruz Bicycles – Heckler 9 lithium-ion battery recall
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – 2022 Heckler 9 battery-latch recall
Safety note: Stop using or charging an e-bike battery if you notice unusual heat, swelling, smoke, leaking, sparks, damaged wiring, or a strong chemical odor. Recall instructions can change, so affected owners should confirm the current procedure directly with Santa Cruz and CPSC.
Kristina is not just an enthusiast but a true authority on electric bikes. Nestled in the coastal beauty of Virginia, Kristina has found the perfect backdrop for her passion for electric biking. As a dedicated wife and homeschooling mom, her life revolves around family, faith, and the thrill of adventure.
Originally hailing from Ohio, Kristina's journey with electric bikes began as a curiosity and quickly evolved into a deep expertise. Her blog is a testament to her love for electric biking, combining her fascination for eco-friendly transportation with her coastal lifestyle.
When she's not cruising the beach on her electric bike, you'll find Kristina indulging in her other loves: long walks along the shore, getting lost in a good book, and cherishing moments with her loved ones. With a heart as big as her love for animals, especially cats, Kristina brings a unique perspective to the electric bike world, grounded in her strong faith in God and her dedication to a sustainable lifestyle.
Through her blog, Kristina shares her extensive knowledge of electric bikes, offering valuable insights, tips, and recommendations to fellow enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a newcomer to the electric bike scene, Kristina's blog is your go-to source for all things electric biking, fueled by her passion, expertise, and the scenic beauty of coastal Virginia.
