Permobil M3Recalls & reported problems

Summary

The FDA's MAUDE database contains 59 adverse event reports that list this exact device (DI 17330818345674), received between Jan 17, 2018 and Jun 10, 2025 — classified as 38 injuries, 21 malfunctions.

The most frequently reported specific device problem is “Mechanical Problem” (21 reports).

1 FDA recall record name this device's identifier, 1 still open.

2 other recalls cover devices cleared under the same FDA submission (K123290); they may or may not involve this specific model.

Reports come from manufacturers, hospitals and patients and are not verified by the FDA. A report does not prove the device caused the event, and counts can't be used to compare devices or estimate failure rates. How this data works · Data updated Oct 13, 2026.

Recalls naming this device

1. Feb 29, 2024Open, Classified

   This recall has been reported retroactively. The power wheelchair firmware lacks a speed restriction to maintain stability when the seat lift exceeds 50 mm, which may cause the user to fall from the wheelchair or the wheelchair to tip over,

   Z-2795-2026 · Root cause: Process control · FDA record ↗

Most reported problems

Recent adverse event reports

The 25 most recent of 59 reports, in the reporter's own words as published by the FDA.

• InjuryJun 10, 2025Mechanical Problem; Unintended System Motion; Unintended Movement; Mechanical Problem; Unintended System Motion; Unintended Movement

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE THE END-USER WAS IN PROCESS OF PERFORMING A TRANSFER INTO THE POWER WHEELCHAIR, THE DEVICE REPORTEDLY INITIATED A DRIVE COMMAND WHICH PINNED THE END-USER AGAINST THE BED EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE USER TO FALL TO THE GROUND WHERE THEY SUSTAINED INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Brain Injury; Fall

  MAUDE report 22178419 ↗
• InjuryJun 4, 2025Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Jam; Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Jam

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE DRIVING THE M3 CORPUS DEVICE DOWN A SIDEWALK, CLAIMS WERE MADE THAT THE FRONT CASTER WHEELS ROTATED SIDEWAYS AND BECAME STUCK IN A CRACK ON THE PAVEMENT. THIS REPORTEDLY CAUSED THE DEVICE TO LOSE FORWARD MOMENTUM WHICH REPORTEDLY FORCED THE END-USER TO LOSE POSITIONING AND FALL OUT OF THE SEATING TO GROUND. THE FALL WAS REPORTED TO HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Fall; Laceration(s); Tooth Fracture

  MAUDE report 22145664 ↗
• InjuryJan 13, 2025Mechanical Problem; Unintended Collision; Unintended System Motion; Unintended Movement; Mechanical Problem; Unintended Collision; Unintended System Motion; Unintended Movement

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE THE END-USER WAS DRIVING THEIR DEVICE THROUGH THE HOUSE, WHEN THEY REMOVED THEIR HAND FROM THE JOYSTICK, ALLEGES THE DEVICE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE END-USER TO DRIVE INTO A COUNTER WHERE THEY SUSTAINED INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

  Patient problems: Bruise/Contusion; Laceration(s)

  MAUDE report 21144744 ↗
• InjurySep 18, 2024Mechanical Problem; Device Tipped Over; Unintended Movement; Mechanical Problem; Device Tipped Over; Unintended Movement

  REPORTS WHILE TRAVERSING DOWN A STEEP GRADE PATHWAY, THE DEVICE REPORTEDLY TIPPED OVER FORWARD, LANDING ATOP THE END-USER WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Limb Fracture

  MAUDE report 20244827 ↗
• InjuryAug 8, 2024Material Integrity Problem; Material Split, Cut or Torn; Material Integrity Problem; Material Split, Cut or Torn

  WHILE THE END-USER WAS IN THEIR KITCHEN AND REACHING FORWARD TO GATHER SOMETHING OFF THE COUNTER, THE FOOTPLATE ASSEMBLY REPORTEDLY DROPPED DOWN WHICH CAUSED THE END-USER TO LOSE POSITIONING AND FALL OUT OF THE SEATING. THE FALL RESULTED IN AN INJURY REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Multiple Fractures

  MAUDE report 19939334 ↗
• InjuryJul 23, 2024Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  REPORTS WHILE THE END-USER WAS IN PROCESS OF ENTERING THEIR TRANSPORT VEHICLE VIA A RAMP, THE END-USERS FOOT REPORTEDLY CAME OFF OF THE FOOTPLATE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME LODGED INTO AN IMMOVABLE OBJECT RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE END-USER REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Multiple Fractures

  MAUDE report 19812749 ↗
• InjuryJul 23, 2024Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  REPORTS WHILE THE END-USER WAS IN PROCESS OF ENTERING THEIR TRANSPORT VEHICLE VIA A RAMP, THE END-USERS FOOT REPORTEDLY CAME OFF OF THE FOOTPLATE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME LODGED INTO AN IMMOVABLE OBJECT RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE END-USER REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Multiple Fractures

  MAUDE report 19812640 ↗
• InjuryJun 17, 2024Mechanical Problem; Unintended System Motion; Unintended Movement; Mechanical Problem; Unintended System Motion; Unintended Movement

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE THE END-USER WAS EXITING VAN VIA A RAMP, THE DEVICE REPORTEDLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE END-USER TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE RAMP, FALLING TO THE GROUND. THIS RESULTED IN INJURIES TO THE END-USER REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Multiple Fractures

  MAUDE report 19550242 ↗
• InjuryApr 9, 2024Use of Device Problem; Use of Device Problem

  RECEIVED REPORT STATING WHILE THE END-USER WAS MANEUVERING THEIR DEVICE THROUGH A DOORWAY, THEY INADVERTENTLY IMPACTED THE DOORFRAME WITH THE DEVICE, RESULTING IN AN INJURY REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Limb Fracture

  MAUDE report 19070182 ↗
• InjuryMar 26, 2024Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Jam; Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Jam

  REPORTS LEG REST ASSEMBLY WAS UNABLE TO RETRACT FULLY AND THIS CAUSED THE END-USER TO RUN THEIR LEG INTO THE VAN DOOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER VEHICLE. REPORT INDICATES THE END-USER SUSTAINED INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Limb Fracture

  MAUDE report 18983470 ↗
• InjuryMar 26, 2024Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  REPORT RECEIVED CLAIMING AS THE END-USER WAS TURNING THEIR M3 POWER WHEELCHAIR AROUND IN HALL, NEXT TO SOME STAIRS, ONE OF THE BACK WHEELS DROPPED OFF THE EDGE AND THE END-USER AND DEVICE FELL DOWN THE STAIRS RESULTING IN AN INJURY REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

  Patient problems: Abrasion; Laceration(s)

  MAUDE report 18982322 ↗
• InjuryJul 20, 2023Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  RECEIVED REPORT AS THE END-USER WAS DRIVING THEIR DEVICE OUT OF DOORS, THEY MANEUVERED THE DEVICE CLOSE TO A CURB EDGE AND ONE OF THE CASTER WHEELS DROPPED OFF THE CURB WHICH ALLOWED THE DEVICE TO LOSE UPRIGHT STABILITY AND FALL OVER ON TO ITS SIDE. THIS RESULTED IN THE END-USER SUSTAINING AN INJURY REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s)

  MAUDE report 17362543 ↗
• InjuryJun 9, 2023Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  RECEIVED REPORT FROM END-USER STATING THAT THEY EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT AFTER TRANSFERRING INTO THE WHEELCHAIR SEATING AND SECURING THE POSITIONING BELT. AFTER CLIPPING THE BELT BUT BEFORE TIGHTENING IT UP FULLY, THE END-USER REPORTEDLY SLIPPED OFF THE CUSHION TO THE SIDE OF THE SEATING. BECAUSE THE END-USER DID NOT HAVE THE PHYSICAL ABILITY TO GET BACK INTO THE CHAIR OR UNCLIP THE POSITIONING BELT, THEY WAS REPORTEDLY SUSPENDED BY THE POSITIONING BELT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. THIS ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

  Patient problems: Abrasion; Physical Entrapment; Skin Tears

  MAUDE report 17100828 ↗
• InjuryMar 28, 2023Mechanical Problem; Device Tipped Over; Detachment of Device or Device Component; Unintended Movement; Mechanical Problem; Device Tipped Over; Detachment of Device or Device Component; Unintended Movement

  RECEIVED REPORT FROM END-USER STATING WHILE DRIVING THEIR POWER WHEELCHAIR ALONG A STREET, REPORTS THE LEFT REAR CASTER FORK DETACHED. THIS REPORTEDLY CAUSED THE POWERED WHEELCHAIR TO FALL OVER ON TO ITS RIGHT SIDE, RESULTING IN AN INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s)

  MAUDE report 16627180 ↗
• InjuryDec 9, 2022Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  REPORT RECEIVED CLAIMING THE END-USER WAS USING THEIR POWER WHEELCHAIR INSIDE A ROLL IN SHOWER. REPORT CLAIMS DURING THE SHOWERING ACTIVITIES, AT SOME POINT THE END-USER LOST THEIR POSITIONING AND FELL OUT OF THE SEATING TO THE SHOWER FLOOR WHERE THEY REPORTEDLY SUSTAINED INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Limb Fracture

  MAUDE report 15948935 ↗
• InjuryAug 24, 2022Mechanical Problem; Unintended Movement; Device Fell; Mechanical Problem; Unintended Movement; Device Fell

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING AS THE END-USER WAS IN PROCESS OF EXITING THEIR TRANSPORT VEHICLE VIA INSTALLED RAMP, THE END-USER REPORTED HAVING LET GO OF THE JOYSTICK CONTROL AND THE DEVICE CONTINUED TO ROLL, AT AN ANGLE, FORCING THE DEVICE TO ROLL OFF THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. THE ENSUING FALL RESULTED IN AN INJURY REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Limb Fracture

  MAUDE report 15281709 ↗
• MalfunctionMar 11, 2022Mechanical Problem; Detachment of Device or Device Component; Mechanical Problem; Detachment of Device or Device Component

  PERMOBIL RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE END-USER WAS OPERATING THEIR WHEELCHAIR TO REPOSITION, THE BACKREST REPORTEDLY DETACHED WHICH CAUSED THE END-USER TO LOSE POSITIONING AND FALL BACKWARDS OUT OF THE DEVICE SEATING TO THE GROUND. REPORT INDICATES THE END-USER WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION WHERE THEY WERE DIAGNOSED AS HAVING SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION.

  Patient problems: Concussion

  MAUDE report 13733347 ↗
• InjuryFeb 23, 2022Mechanical Problem; Unintended Movement; Device Fell; Mechanical Problem; Unintended Movement; Device Fell

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING AS END-USER WAS DRIVING THEIR POWER WHEELCHAIR UP A PORTABLE RAMP, WHEN REACHING THE MIDDLE OF THE RAMP THE WHEELCHAIR REPORTEDLY VEERED TO THE SIDE FORCING THE WHEELCHAIR, WITH THE END-USER, TO FALL ON TO ITS SIDE.

  Patient problems: Laceration(s); Sepsis

  MAUDE report 13583502 ↗
• MalfunctionJan 24, 2022Electrical /Electronic Property Problem; Electrical /Electronic Property Problem

  PERMOBIL RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE END-USER WAS OPERATING THEIR WHEELCHAIR DOWN A RAMP, THE WHEELCHAIR REPORTEDLY STOPPED WHICH CAUSED THE END-USER TO LOSE POSITIONING AND FALL OUT OF THE DEVICE SEATING TO THE GROUND. REPORT INDICATES THE END-USER WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION WHERE THEY WERE DIAGNOSED AS HAVING SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.

  Patient problems: Easy Bruising; Fall

  MAUDE report 13336928 ↗
• InjuryDec 2, 2021Insufficient Device Problem Information; Insufficient Device Problem Information

  PERMOBIL RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE END-USER WAS OPERATING THEIR DEVICE, AN UNDESCRIPTIVE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHICH REPORTEDLY CAUSED THE END-USER TO BE THROWN FORWARD, OUT OF THE SEATING, WHERE THEY SUSTAINED INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Insufficient Information

  MAUDE report 12916763 ↗
• InjuryNov 19, 2021Mechanical Problem; Unintended Collision; Unintended Movement; Mechanical Problem; Unintended Collision; Unintended Movement

  REPORTS HAVING BROKEN ONE OF HIS FINGERS AFTER HAVING DRIVEN HIS DEVICE INTO A DOOR FRAME WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER HIS APARTMENT. REPORT INDICATES THE END-USER HAVING SUSTAINED A BROKEN FINGER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s)

  MAUDE report 12842872 ↗
• InjuryNov 8, 2021Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING WHILE THE END-USER WAS OCCUPYING THEIR POWER WHEELCHAIR INSIDE THEIR HOME, THEY REPORTEDLY LOST POSITIONING AND SLID OUT OF THE SEATING TO THE FLOOR. REPORTS INDICATE THE FALL RESULTED IN INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Hip Fracture

  MAUDE report 12770577 ↗
• InjuryOct 8, 2021Use of Device Problem; Use of Device Problem

  RECEIVED REPORT CLAIMING AS THE END-USER WAS TRAVERSING DOWN A RAMP WITH THEIR POWER WHEELCHAIR, THEY REPORTEDLY LOST CONTROL OF THE DEVICE CAUSING THEM TO DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. THIS CAUSED THE END-USER TO LOSE POSITIONING AND FALL FORWARD, OUT OF THE SEATING TO THE GROUND WHERE THEY REPORTEDLY SUSTAINED INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Multiple Fractures

  MAUDE report 12598939 ↗
• InjurySep 13, 2021Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem; Adverse Event Without Identified Device or Use Problem

  END-USER REPORTS AS THEY WERE DRIVING OUT OF A STORE FRONT, THEY DO NOT RECALL EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED, BUT NEXT THING THEY KNEW THEY WERE ON THE GROUND AND THE WHEELCHAIR WAS ON TOP OF THEM. REPORTS INDICATE THEY SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL INTERVENTION AS A RESULT OF THE FALL.

  Patient problems: Bone Fracture(s); Hip Fracture

  MAUDE report 12464731 ↗
• InjuryAug 10, 2021Circuit Failure; Electrical /Electronic Property Problem; Circuit Failure; Electrical /Electronic Property Problem

  RECEIVED REPORT STATING AS THE END-USER WAS DRIVING THE WHEELCHAIR OUT-OF-DOORS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE WHEELCHAIR STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHICH CAUSED THE END-USER TO LOSE VISION OF THE TERRAIN WHERE THEY INADVERTENTLY MANEUVERED THE DEVICE INTO A POTHOLE CAUSING THE DEVICE TO LOSE STABILITY AND FALL OVER ONTO ITS SIDE. REPORT CLAIMS THE END-USER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT FOR UNDESCRIPTIVE INJURIES.

  Patient problems: Insufficient Information

  MAUDE report 12299854 ↗

Recalls under the same FDA submission

These recalls involve devices cleared under K123290. One submission often covers many models, so check the product and lot details in each record.

• Z-2805-2026 · Jun 19, 2025 · Open, Classified
  M5 Corpus Power Wheelchair REF,120032
• Z-3178-2018 · Aug 15, 2018 · Terminated
  Permobil powered wheelchairs, Model Numbers: (a) M300 PS, (b) C300 PS, (c) C350 PS, (d) C500 PS, (e) C400 PS Product Usage: The devices identified are intended to provide outdoor