SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20200330-6A738-2147373137. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Bissell 2252 (BISSELL Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, Green, 2252: [REDACTED]). Incident: I bought a Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, Green, 2252 on Amazon on 1-4-20 and it was delivered shortly thereafter. I put it together and started using it soon after that. It worked wonderfully well at first, but within 3 or 4 uses the roller brush stopped turning and I noticed a burning smell. Upon investigation, I discovered that a mass of pet hair and other debris had collected around the motor spindle that turns the belt, which was causing the belt to slip and then to start melting from the friction caused by the spindle continuing to turn against the now stationary belt. I took it apart and cleaned it well, and used it a couple more times before it happened again. People have reported in the product's reviews on Amazon that this design flaw- where the debris that is supposed to be channeled into the collection receptacle instead leaks into the belt housing- has caused their machines to malfunction, break, and/or catch fire. I had read some reviews on Amazon before making the purchase, but didn't see the ones warning of this problem, which appear to number in the hundreds as of today (one of which is mine). Many have also reported difficulty trying to obtain help from Bissell and/or Amazon, although Bissell has left replies to many of the complaints that the person should call them and they will be happy to help. This product, which the manufacturer and Amazon appear to have known for at least a year poses a fire hazard under normal operation, is still on the market. Please do something about this.