BISSELL Steam Cleaner Defective Recall Class Action Lawsuit, Nearly 5 Million Units Recalled and Hundreds Already Burned

BISSELL is facing class action lawsuits in Illinois federal court after the company recalled approximately 3.2 million Steam Shot handheld steam cleaners in 2024 — and then recalled another 1.7 million more in April 2026 — following hundreds of reports of the devices spraying scalding hot water onto users. If you bought a BISSELL Steam Shot steam cleaner at Target, Walmart, Amazon, or HSN at any point since 2008, here is what is happening and what your options are right now.

Quick Facts: BISSELL Steam Cleaner Lawsuit & Recall

Field	Detail
Lawsuit Filed	April 16, 2026 and April 23–24, 2026 (two separate class actions)
Defendant	BISSELL Homecare Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Alleged Violation	Product defect — defective attachment design; concealment of known safety risk; inadequate recall remedy
Who Is Affected	Purchasers of recalled Steam Shot models sold August 2008–March 2026
Current Court Stage	Early litigation — proposed class actions, not yet certified
Court & Jurisdiction	U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Lead Plaintiffs	Mohammad Khalil (Illinois); Michigan plaintiff (separate suit)
Next Hearing Date	TBD — no hearing date confirmed as of May 12, 2026
Official Recall Website	www.steamshot2026.com (2026 recall) / www.bissell.com/steamshotrecall (2024 recall)
Last Updated	May 12, 2026

What Is the BISSELL Lawsuit About?

The short version: BISSELL sold you a steam cleaner that sprays boiling water on people. Then they recalled it. Then they sold a newer version with the same problem. Then they recalled that one too.

In 2024, BISSELL and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of the Steam Shot handheld steam cleaner affecting about 3.2 million units. The recall came after consumers reported 183 incidents of the devices spraying scalding hot water or steam, resulting in at least 157 burn injuries.

The OmniReach and Omni replacement models went on sale in October 2024 — just months after that prior recall was announced. Together, the two recalls now cover nearly 5 million BISSELL steam cleaners sold to U.S. households.

Illinois plaintiff Mohammad Khalil filed a class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on April 23, 2026, naming BISSELL Homecare Inc. as the defendant and alleging the company continued selling the handheld steam cleaners despite knowing the devices could unexpectedly expel hot water and steam during use.

A second class action followed just days later. A Michigan resident filed a separate proposed class action on April 28, 2026, accusing BISSELL of selling approximately 1.7 million defective steam cleaners without informing customers that the attachment tools could unexpectedly detach and create a serious burn risk.

Related article: Mitsubishi Recalls 108,000 Outlander SUVs Over Falling Liftgate Hazard

Both lawsuits allege violations of consumer protection laws and product liability principles — specifically that BISSELL knew about the design defect, failed to fix it, and sold consumers a product that posed a documented burn hazard. For more on how defective product lawsuits work and what consumers can recover, see our breakdown of the Toyota Sienna seat rail class action, which follows a similar pattern of recall followed by litigation.

Which BISSELL Steam Cleaners Are Recalled?

2024 Recall — 3.2 Million Units

The 2024 recall covers Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaners sold between August 2008 and May 2024 at Target, Walmart, and other stores nationwide, as well as online at BISSELL.com, Amazon.com, and HSN.com, for between $35 and $40 (or $70 for a two-pack).

The recalled model series are 39N7 and 2994. The full list of model numbers includes: 39N7, 39N71, 39N72, 39N73, 39N75–39N7X, 29946–2994W, and others in those series. The model number is on the product rating label on the bottom of the unit.

2026 Recall — 1.7 Million Units

The 2026 recall covers BISSELL Steam Shot OmniReach and Omni handheld steam cleaners with model numbers 4155, 4155L, 4155W, 4155G, 4155D, 4155J, 4155Y, 4155P, 4171, 4171L, 4171W, and 4171F.

These steam cleaners were sold at Target, Walmart, and online at Amazon.com from October 2024 through March 2026, in green, gray, white, blue, and dark blue, for between $9 and $55.

Flip your unit over right now and check the label. If your model number matches either list, your device is recalled.

Are You Part of the BISSELL Class Action Lawsuit?

The class action targets anyone who purchased one of these recalled devices. Here is how to know if the lawsuit includes you.

You may be part of this class if you:

• Purchased any BISSELL Steam Shot handheld steam cleaner covered by either the 2024 or 2026 recall
• Bought it at Target, Walmart, Amazon, HSN, or BISSELL.com anywhere in the United States
• Were offered a recall remedy (replacement attachments, $40 refund, or $60 credit) that you believe did not fairly compensate you for your loss or injury
• Were burned or injured by the device before or after the recall was announced
• Purchased a newer Steam Shot model (OmniReach or Omni) after the 2024 recall, believing BISSELL had fixed the problem

You are likely NOT included if:

• You purchased a BISSELL vacuum, carpet cleaner, or other product not part of the Steam Shot line
• You purchased your Steam Shot outside of the United States

Most people who match the class description will be automatically included once the court certifies the class. You do not need to sign up right now.

Why the Lawsuit Says the Recall Remedy Was Not Enough

This is the part that makes this case different from a standard recall. The lawsuit does not just argue the product was defective — it argues BISSELL’s proposed fix did not actually address the problem.

Following the first recall, Khalil claims BISSELL refused to recall the entire steam cleaner line and instead offered limited remedies — free replacement attachments, a $40 refund, a $60 credit, or a replacement unit. The lawsuit argues those options failed to address the underlying design defect, since the attachments themselves were central to the burn risk.

BISSELL’s remedy for the 2026 recall is a set of free replacement attachments. That offer does not compensate consumers for any physical injury, any medical treatment required, any missed work, any pain and suffering, or any lasting scarring or disfigurement caused by a burn.

If you were burned and accepted the recall remedy, you may want to speak with a product liability attorney before assuming your legal rights are gone. Accepting a recall remedy and releasing legal claims against a manufacturer are two different things — and no one should sign away their rights without understanding what they are giving up. Similar questions about inadequate remedies arose in the Jeep 4xe battery defect class actions covered on AllAboutLawyer.com.

What Are BISSELL Plaintiffs Seeking?

No money is available yet and no claim form exists. Here is what the lawsuits are actually asking for.

Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for damages including: the purchase price of the recalled product, any costs related to burn injuries (medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering), and the difference in value between the product as sold versus what it was actually worth given the known defect.

Khalil also alleges BISSELL delayed the initial recall, offered an inadequate remedy, and concealed the scope of the problem for years. On top of monetary damages, plaintiffs are asking the court to require BISSELL to change how it designs and tests these products going forward.

No specific settlement figures have been confirmed in court filings available as of May 12, 2026.

What Should You Do Right Now If You Own a Recalled BISSELL Steam Cleaner?

Step 1 — Stop using it immediately. The CPSC says consumers should stop using the recalled steam cleaner attachments immediately and contact BISSELL to receive free new attachments. Do not wait.

Step 2 — Check your model number. Flip the unit over and look at the bottom label. If your model number appears in either recalled list above, register your device.

Step 3 — Register for the recall remedy. Visit www.steamshot2026.com to register for the 2026 recall. For the 2024 recall, visit BISSELL.com and click “Product Recalls.” You can also contact BISSELL toll-free at 855-417-7001, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, or email [email protected].

Step 4 — Save everything if you were injured. If the device burned you, photograph the injury, keep all medical bills, and do not throw away the product or attachments. That physical evidence matters in any consumer fraud lawsuit or individual personal injury claim.

Step 5 — Consider a free legal consultation if you were burned. The class action will seek broad relief for all purchasers, but if you suffered a serious burn, your individual injuries may warrant a separate personal injury or product liability claim that goes well beyond what a class action settlement typically delivers. A free legal consultation with a consumer rights lawyer costs you nothing and could tell you whether you have a stronger path forward on your own.

Step 6 — Wait for class action updates. You will receive formal written notice when the class is certified and if a settlement is reached. You can also monitor the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois public docket for case filings.

BISSELL Steam Cleaner Lawsuit Timeline

Milestone	Date
First Steam Shot models sold	August 2008
2024 recall announced — 3.2 million units	July 2024
Newer OmniReach and Omni models go on sale	October 2024
2026 expanded recall announced — 1.7 million more units	April 9, 2026
First class action filed (N.D. Illinois)	April 16, 2026
Second class action filed — Khalil v. BISSELL (N.D. Illinois)	April 23, 2026
Third class action filed — Michigan plaintiff (W.D. Michigan)	April 28, 2026
Class Certification Motion	TBD — not yet filed
Expected Settlement Timeline	TBD — typically 2–3 years from filing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a class action lawsuit against BISSELL over their steam cleaners?

 Yes. Multiple proposed class actions were filed in Illinois federal court in April 2026, alleging BISSELL sold defective Steam Shot steam cleaners with attachments that unexpectedly detach and spray users with hot water and steam. None have been certified yet.

Do I need to do anything right now to be part of the lawsuit?

 No. If you purchased a recalled BISSELL steam cleaner and fit the class definition, you will likely be automatically included once the court certifies the class. You will receive a formal notice at that point explaining your options.

How many people were injured by BISSELL steam cleaners?

 The 2024 recall was triggered by 183 reported incidents and at least 157 burn injuries. The 2026 expanded recall followed more than 200 additional reports, including at least 161 more burn injuries. That is over 300 confirmed burn injuries across both product generations.

When will the BISSELL lawsuit settle?

 There is no way to predict this. Class actions against product manufacturers typically take two to three years from filing before reaching a settlement, assuming the case does not go to trial. The cases were filed in April 2026 — any resolution is likely years away.

Can I still claim the recall remedy if I already threw out my steam cleaner? 

For the 2024 recall, BISSELL requires you to cut the cord and upload a photo showing the model number and the cut cord. Contact BISSELL at the recall website or toll-free number to ask about your specific situation.

If I was burned and accepted the recall remedy, did I waive my legal rights? 

This depends entirely on what you signed. Accepting a replacement product or refund is not the same as signing a legal release. Speak with a consumer rights lawyer before assuming you have no remaining claims — especially if you suffered a serious burn injury.

What specific law did BISSELL allegedly violate?

 The lawsuits allege violations of state consumer protection laws and common law product liability principles — specifically the duty to design a reasonably safe product, the duty to warn consumers of known defects, and the duty to provide an adequate remedy once a defect is confirmed.

Sources & References

• CPSC — BISSELL Recalls Over One Million Steam Shot OmniReach Steam Cleaners (April 9, 2026): https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/BISSELL-Recalls-Over-One-Million-Steam-Shot-OmniReach-Steam-Cleaners-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Burn-Hazard-from-Attachments
• CPSC — BISSELL Recalls More Than 3 Million Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaners (2024): https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/BISSELL-Recalls-More-Than-3-Million-Steam-Shot-Handheld-Steam-Cleaners-Due-to-Burn-Hazard

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against official CPSC recall notices and Law360 court reporting dated April 2026. Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. Consult a qualified attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.