Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Recall Lawsuit

Our law firm represents individuals across the United States who have suffered serious burn injuries caused by defective pressure cookers, including the widely sold Ninja Foodi. These are not isolated incidents—these are preventable product failures that have left families scarred, physically and emotionally. For years, we have been filing lawsuits for victims injured by these dangerously flawed kitchen appliances.

These already strong pressure cooker lawsuits have grown even stronger: a recall has been issued for specific Ninja Foodi pressure cooker models. This recall confirms what many injured consumers and our lawyers have been saying all along. The product is defective, unreasonably dangerous. It should never have been sold in its current form.

Ninja Foodi: A Popular, Well-Liked Appliance—But Dangerously Defective

The Ninja Foodi had earned a strong reputation in American kitchens. It is a versatile, feature-rich appliance that combines pressure cooking, air frying, slow cooking, steaming, and baking into one sleek countertop device. Many home cooks appreciate its ability to streamline meal preparation and reduce the need for multiple bulky appliances. With models retailing for as much as $400, it is marketed as a premium product, an upscale alternative to more basic pressure cookers.

But these serious safety concerns quickly emerged. Consumers reported devastating injuries (and near misses) from unexpected explosions and malfunctions. Many victims were severely burned when the Ninja Foodi lid was opened. This is a recipe for disaster. The contents inside are dangerously pressurized and waiting to explode.

Even worse, some of the most serious injuries have occurred during the first few uses of the product, when customers were trying to follow the instruction manual. These are not cases of user error. These are product failures, catastrophic malfunctions of a pressure cooker explicitly marketed as safe, secure, and user-friendly.

In multiple cases, the safety lock mechanism that is supposed to prevent the lid from being removed during pressurization either failed entirely or gave consumers the false impression that the appliance was safe to open. When this occurs, the consequences are immediate and brutal: scalding-hot food or liquid erupts from the unit, resulting in severe burns, emergency medical care, and—in many cases—long-term physical and emotional trauma.

The truth is, no matter how effective a product might be under normal conditions, a single critical design flaw can turn a helpful appliance into a life-altering hazard. That is exactly what many Ninja Foodi customers have discovered—after it was too late.

How and Why the Ninja Foodi Design Fails

One of the most serious issues with the Ninja Foodi pressure cooker is that the danger comes from the design itself, not from improper use. Consumers follow the instructions, rely on the built-in safety features, and still suffer severe burn injuries. The problem lies in how the device is engineered and how it was presented to the public.

The flaws are not hypothetical. They are showing up in real homes, under normal conditions, with devastating consequences.

The Lid Can Open While the Cooker Is Still Pressurized

A basic principle of pressure cooker safety is that the lid must remain locked until all pressure has been released. This is a non-negotiable safety rule. The Ninja Foodi claims to follow this rule, but its design allows the lid to be rotated and opened while the contents inside are still under pressure. That pressure can instantly eject superheated food and liquid, causing deep burns and other serious injuries.

The Locking Mechanism Is Not Reliable

The product relies on a mechanical and sensor-based system to detect pressure and keep the lid sealed. In practice, this system does not work as intended. Some users report being able to open the lid with no warning while pressure was still present. Others describe inconsistent feedback from the device, making it unclear when it was actually safe to proceed. When a safety mechanism works only part of the time, it becomes a hazard rather than a safeguard.

The Marketing Created a False Sense of Security

SharkNinja marketed the Ninja Foodi as a modern, high-end pressure cooker with advanced safety technology. That message was repeated across packaging, instruction manuals, videos, and retail websites. Consumers were led to believe that the product had multiple layers of protection. Many people purchased it specifically because they thought it was safer than older models. When those safety features failed, the injuries were not just physical. There was also a deep sense of betrayal.

There Was No Timely Warning

Even after reports of serious injuries began to surface, the manufacturer did not take immediate public action. No broad warnings were issued. No stop-sale alerts were sent. Customers kept using the product without knowing that it could fail. From a legal perspective, that delay can be just as damaging as the defect itself. When a company learns that people are being hurt, it has a duty to act. Waiting until a federal recall becomes necessary is not an acceptable response.

Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Recall

On May 1, 2025, the dam finally broke. After years of injuries, lawsuits, and mounting consumer complaints, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a sweeping recall of more than 2 million Ninja Foodi pressure cookers. This is a long-overdue acknowledgment that these widely sold appliances are not just defective, they are dangerous. This recall confirms what burn victims and attorneys have been saying for years: the Ninja Foodi poses a serious, ongoing threat to consumers’ safety.

According to the CPSC, the recall was issued after 106 reported injuries, including at least 50 cases of second- and third-degree burns. These injuries occurred when the lid of the pressure cooker was able to open while still under pressure, allowing scalding hot contents to eject onto users. This is the exact type of product failure that has been alleged in numerous lawsuits against the manufacturer, SharkNinja.

While modern electronic pressure cookers like the Ninja Foodi are marketed as safer alternatives to traditional stovetop models, the recall confirms what injured consumers and plaintiffs’ attorneys have long argued: the built-in safety mechanisms are dangerously unreliable.

Scope of the Recall

SharkNinja is recalling 1,846,400 units sold in the United States and another 184,240 units in Canada. The recall specifically affects Ninja Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function 6.5 Quart Pressure Cookers, which feature both pressure cooking and air frying functions.

Affected Model Numbers:

• OP300

• OP301

• OP301A

• OP302

• OP302BRN

• OP302HCN

• OP302HAQ

• OP302HW

• OP302HB

• OP305

• OP305CO

• OP350CO

(Some units may have a numerical suffix (e.g., OP301 107), but they are still part of the recall.)

These pressure cookers were sold across the United States between January 2019 and March 2025, typically priced around $200. They were available at major retailers including Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and Amazon, as well as directly through the manufacturer’s website.

Manufacturer Response

SharkNinja is not running away from the recall now. It advises consumers to immediately stop using the pressure cooking function on the recalled devices. While they claim that air frying and other functions can still be used safely, we strongly recommend halting all use of any recalled unit until a full remedy has been implemented.

Legal Implications of the Recall

A recall is one of the most potent developments in a product liability lawsuit. It is not just a routine safety measure. It is a public acknowledgment that the product is dangerous and that the company failed to protect consumers before people got hurt.

Remember, lawyers loved these cases even before there was a recall. The product was already injuring people. The injuries were severe. The safety features were failing. Now that the manufacturer has pulled more than two million units off the market, those cases have gone from strong to nearly bulletproof, at least in some cases.

Four Reasons Why a Recall Strengthens Your Case

1. It Confirms the Product Was Defective

SharkNinja may not admit fault outright, but when a product is pulled from shelves due to a design defect, it speaks volumes. The recall tells the world that the product is not safe to use as intended. In court, that goes a long way in proving that the pressure cooker was defective and unreasonably dangerous.

2. It Shows the Company Knew About the Risk

To win a lawsuit, you often have to prove the manufacturer either knew about the danger or should have known. A recall usually means the company had enough evidence to conclude the product could hurt people. That kind of notice is a key piece of the legal puzzle and makes it harder for the company to claim ignorance.

3. It Carries Weight with Juries

Jurors are not expected to be engineers. They do not need to understand every technical detail about pressure regulation systems, valve construction, or lid-locking mechanisms. What jurors do understand is common sense. When a federal agency such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission steps in and announces a recall, it sends a strong message. It tells jurors that this is not just a theoretical problem. It is a serious and confirmed hazard.

That kind of validation matters. It reinforces the credibility of the plaintiff’s testimony and the seriousness of the injuries involved. Jurors begin to view the incident not as an isolated accident, but as part of a larger pattern. They start asking the right question. Why did this product stay on the market when the manufacturer knew people were getting hurt?

In that setting, the burden shifts in a meaningful way. The manufacturer is no longer in a position to point fingers at the consumer. Instead, the company is forced to explain why it failed to act earlier. The recall gives jurors a reason to believe the company placed profits ahead of safety.

Now that this is a simplified explanation. The legal process surrounding recall evidence is more complicated. Courts do not automatically allow plaintiffs to present recall notices or safety communications to the jury. These materials must first meet evidentiary requirements. Plaintiffs typically need to establish relevance, prove that the recall relates directly to the incident in question, and avoid triggering arguments of unfair prejudice under the rules of evidence.

Still, under the right circumstances, recall evidence is often admitted, especially when it relates to product defect, causation, and the manufacturer’s knowledge of the risk. When a jury hears that the same product has hurt dozens of others and that a federal agency confirmed the danger, the context changes. The case becomes easier to understand and harder to ignore.

That is why lawyers view recalls as significant leverage. They help translate complex product safety failures into something jurors can connect with. They confirm that the harm was preventable and that the company could have taken action sooner. In a courtroom, that can be a turning point.

4. It Unlocks Access to More Evidence

Recalls often lead to more documentation becoming available. Technical reports, safety testing, internal emails, and risk assessments may come to light during discovery. That evidence can help show the company knew about the hazard and failed to fix it until it was too late for many families.If you or a loved one were burned by a Ninja Foodi pressure cooker, your case may now be even more valuable. The recall adds weight and credibility to your claim. It confirms that this was not an isolated incident. It was not your fault. It was a product failure, and it is part of a larger pattern that the company can no longer deny.

This recall makes it easier for victims to prove liability, defeat common defense arguments, and demand full compensation. If you were hurt before the recall was issued, that does not weaken your claim. It strengthens it. The product was just as dangerous then as it is now. The only difference is that the company can no longer pretend it did not know.

Injuries Caused by Exploding Pressure Cookers

Victims injured by defective Ninja Foodi pressure cookers often suffer devastating and life-altering harm. These are not minor kitchen accidents. These catastrophic product failures send people to the hospital, cause lifelong damage, and create ripple effects for entire families.

Our clients have endured the following types of injuries and complications:

• First-, second-, and third-degree burns: We have spoken with victims who suffered everything from minor blistering to some of the most serious third-degree burns imaginable. These deep burns can destroy skin, nerves, and underlying tissue, often requiring multiple surgeries and extended hospital stays. Many clients tell us they spent days or even weeks in burn units, undergoing painful wound care and procedures just to begin the healing process.
• Hospitalization and multiple medical procedures: Many victims must be transported by ambulance and admitted to emergency rooms or specialized burn centers. Their recovery often involves IV fluids, antibiotics, wound cleaning, and surgeries to remove dead tissue. For the most serious injuries, follow-up procedures may continue for months or even years.
• Infections and complications requiring skin grafts: One of the most difficult parts of treating burn injuries is how vulnerable the body becomes to infection. Even with proper care, infections can develop quickly and unpredictably, sometimes leading to serious complications like sepsis or deep tissue damage. We have seen cases where patients were healing well one day and in critical condition the next. To manage these complications, many victims require skin graft surgeries to replace damaged tissue and support recovery. These procedures are often painful and expensive, and in many cases, only partially restore the appearance or function of the affected area.
• Pain and emotional trauma: Burns are among the most painful injuries a person can experience. The emotional toll often matches the physical agony. Panic, helplessness, depression, and anxiety are all common. Victims may suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, or long-term post-traumatic stress, especially if the incident occurred suddenly and violently in front of loved ones.
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement: Visible scarring, especially on the face, arms, chest, or hands, can profoundly affect a person’s confidence, relationships, and day-to-day life. Victims may seek cosmetic surgery to reduce scarring, but in many cases, the damage is permanent and alters how they see themselves forever.
• Social isolation and self-consciousness: Injuries that affect appearance or physical ability often lead to social withdrawal. People who were once active and outgoing may avoid public settings due to embarrassment or fear of being stared at. This emotional isolation compounds the trauma and makes recovery even harder.
• Long-term disability or loss of function: When burns affect joints or nerves, they can permanently limit motion, strength, and fine motor control. In severe cases, victims lose the ability to perform routine tasks like lifting, typing, or even feeding themselves. Some never return to their previous level of independence.
• Lost wages and missed work: Many of our clients are forced to take extended leave from work while recovering. Some lose their jobs entirely because they can no longer perform their duties or because the recovery process is too unpredictable. The financial stress adds another layer of suffering and uncertainty.
• Impact on caregivers and family members: Severe injuries do not affect just the victim. Spouses, children, and other family members often take on caregiving responsibilities, miss work, and carry the emotional weight of the trauma. The burden of a serious burn injury is shared by the entire household.
• Ongoing medical care and future costs: Even after the initial recovery, many victims face long-term challenges. These may include physical therapy, counseling, reconstructive surgery, laser treatment for scars, or assistive devices. These expenses should never fall on the victim. We work with medical experts and financial analysts to project future costs and demand full compensation.

Ninja Food Class Action Lawsuit Not the Path

There is no class action lawsuit for Ninja Foodi pressure cooker injuries, and for good reason. Our law firm does not believe a class action—or any pooled litigation that strips away individual control—is the right path for victims with serious, life-changing burn injuries.

Class actions are usually designed for financial disputes. They are used when a company overcharges customers or sells a defective product that does not perform as advertised. These lawsuits seek broad, uniform resolutions that divide a lump sum settlement among a large group of people. That approach may work when the harm is strictly economic. It does not work when someone is left with permanent scars, mounting medical bills, or a year of lost wages.

Every burn injury is different. Some clients need weeks of care. Others need multiple surgeries, skin grafts, or permanent disability accommodations. A one-size-fits-all payout ignores those differences. It treats the person with third-degree burns the same as someone who had a minor incident. That is not justice.

In class actions, critical decisions are made by one representative who speaks for the entire group. If that person settles early or accepts a low offer, the rest of the group has little control over the outcome. Your voice gets lost, and your future is left in someone else’s hands.

There is currently no multidistrict litigation, or MDL, for Ninja Foodi pressure cooker lawsuits. While MDLs can be useful in some mass tort cases, especially where thousands of nearly identical claims need to be handled efficiently, they are not always the best option. For pressure cooker injury cases like these, the injuries vary significantly, the facts are highly specific to each user, and the volume of claims does not require centralization in a single court. In this situation, an MDL would offer little benefit to injured consumers.

So even if an MDL were to be created in the future, and we hope there is not, our attorneys’ approach would remain the same. Every case must be filed as an individual claim because your injuries, your medical care, and your losses are personal. They should be evaluated based on their own facts. No one should receive less compensation just because their case was grouped with others. Our law firm is committed to giving each client focused, one-on-one representation to make sure the outcome reflects the full impact of the harm they have suffered.

Talk to a Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one suffered burns or other serious injuries from a Ninja Foodi or any other defective pressure cooker, you do not have to go through this alone. Our experienced product liability attorneys represent victims nationwide, and we are currently accepting new pressure cooker injury cases.

Your consultation is 100% free, and there is never a fee unless we win compensation for you.

Call us now at 800-553-8082 to speak directly with a lawyer, or fill out our short contact form online. We respond to every inquiry quickly and confidentially. Let us help you get answers, hold the manufacturer accountable, and fight for the justice and financial recovery you deserve.

Do not wait. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin investigating your case and protecting your rights.