E-bike battery compatibility depends on the exact model label, not simply the bike name or whether another pack appears to fit. Cost and continued use depend on the remedy: some recalls provide free replacements, while the Rad Power Bikes warning provides no guaranteed refund or replacement. Calling the Rad action a recall is misleading. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a product-safety warning after Rad did not accept a remedy the agency considered adequate.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Cpsc — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official guidance from Cpsc — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
Table of Contents
- Is the Rad action an official recall?
- Which batteries are affected?
- Can owners continue riding or storing the battery?
- Will another battery or charger work?
- What will replacement and disposal cost?
Is the Rad action an official recall?
No. The CPSC's November 24, 2025 notice is a warning to stop using certain Rad batteries, not an agreed recall with a standard consumer remedy.
That distinction matters because owners cannot assume they qualify for a free replacement, refund, or repair. Rad told the CPSC that its financial condition prevented it from providing replacement batteries or refunds to every affected consumer.
Which batteries are affected?
The warning covers only battery models RP-1304, RAD-S1304Y, and HL-RP-S1304. Check the model label on the back or rear of the battery; the bike's model name alone cannot confirm whether the warning applies.
These batteries were sold with several e-bikes: The batteries were also sold separately as replacements. Therefore, an affected pack may be installed on a bike other than the one with which it was originally sold.
- RadWagon 4
- RadCity HS 4
- RadRover High Step 5
- RadCity Step-Thru 3
- RadRover Step-Thru 1
Can owners continue riding or storing the battery?
The CPSC tells owners of the three named battery models to stop using them immediately and remove them from the bike. Owners should not sell or give away an affected pack.
The batteries can ignite or explode, especially following exposure to water or debris. The CPSC reports 31 fires, including 12 property-damage incidents totaling about $734,500. Some fires occurred while batteries were stored or otherwise idle, so simply avoiding rides does not remove the hazard.
Will another battery or charger work?
The CPSC warning does not provide an approved list of substitute batteries. A buyer should not infer compatibility from the bike name, physical dimensions, connector, or advertised voltage alone; those details do not establish that a replacement is approved for the bike.
Charging equipment also requires care. A CPSC commissioner's charger warning says "universal" micromobility chargers can be incompatible and cause fires. Use the charger supplied with the equipment or obtain the appropriate charger from the original manufacturer.
What will replacement and disposal cost?
A replacement Rad battery had sold for about $550, but the warning does not guarantee owners a replacement or reimbursement. That leaves affected riders with a potentially unusable bike unless they can identify a suitable replacement through an appropriate source. Do not place an affected lithium-ion battery in household trash, curbside recycling, or retail battery-collection boxes.
Follow local household-hazardous-waste instructions and contact the facility first to confirm that it accepts hazardous lithium batteries. Remedies differ by safety action. For comparison, the formal VIVI recall announced July 17, 2025 covers about 24,000 specified 36-volt batteries and provides a free replacement battery and charger after proper disposal of the recalled pack.
