Pressure cookers sold as Ninja Foodi, Crock-Pot, Instant Pot, Bella, Insignia, Ambiano and Gourmia have burned users. Their lids opened, unlocked or detached while the pot was still pressurized. Court filings and recall notices describe the pattern.
No nationwide class action or multidistrict litigation covers pressure cookers. Instead, injured consumers have filed individual product-liability lawsuits against each manufacturer separately. At least one of those cases reached a jury verdict in December 2024.
This page covers verified recalls and lawsuits across major pressure cooker brands since 2020. It explains the injuries alleged and what evidence to preserve. It also covers how filing deadlines and potential compensation work for a burn claim.
- Case or litigation name: No single case, class action or MDL exists; each manufacturer is sued separately
- Defendants: SharkNinja, Sunbeam/Newell Brands, Instant Brands, Sensio, Best Buy, Tempo USA and Gourmia’s importer, sued individually
- Court and docket number, when available: Varies by suit; examples include Jaimes v. Instant Brands (W.D. Tex.) and Perez v. Sunbeam (D. Colo.)
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL – the JPML’s September 2026 report names no pressure-cooker docket
- Filing date: Individual product-liability suits against each manufacturer; earliest verified federal filing: June 3, 2020 (Jaimes v. Instant Brands, W.D. Tex.)
- Main allegations: Design defect and failure to warn – lids that open or detach before pressure fully vents
- Products or people involved: Multi-cookers across brands – Ninja Foodi, Crock-Pot, Bella, Insignia, Ambiano and Gourmia
Latest Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Updates
February 24, 2026: CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Gourmia Pressure Cookers
The CPSC warned consumers to stop using about 43,500 Gourmia six-quart pressure cookers [1]. The warning followed five reports of hot contents escaping under pressure.
Four of the incidents caused severe burns, and two lawsuits had already been filed. The importer and Best Buy refused to agree to an acceptable recall. The agency told consumers to stop using the units immediately and dispose of them.
October 9, 2025: Tempo USA Recalls Ambiano Pressure Cookers Sold at ALDI
Tempo USA recalled about 46,660 Ambiano electric pressure cookers sold exclusively at ALDI stores nationwide [2]. The recalled units were sold from January 2016 to December 2019. The recall followed 11 incident reports, including 8 severe burn injuries.
The recalled models' lids could open before steam pressure fully released, letting hot contents escape. ALDI is offering a refund for the intact cooker or a replacement after photo verification.
May 1, 2025: SharkNinja Recalls 1.8 Million Ninja Foodi Pressure Cookers
SharkNinja recalled about 1,846,400 Ninja Foodi OP300-series pressure cookers after 106 burn injury reports [3]. More than 50 of those injuries were second- or third-degree burns to the face or body.
Twenty-six lawsuits had already been filed over the defect, ABC News reported [4]. Consumers should stop using the pressure-cooking function but can keep using the air-fry and other modes. SharkNinja is sending affected owners a free replacement lid.
December 13, 2024: Colorado Jury Awards $55.5 Million in a Sunbeam Pressure Cooker Case
A federal jury in Colorado awarded Georgina Perez $55.5 million. Her Sunbeam Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker exploded during use, and Law360 reported the verdict [5]. The jury also found Perez 10% responsible for her own injuries.
The case, Perez v. Sunbeam Products, Inc., was filed in 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. The suit named Sunbeam and its parent company, Newell Brands, as defendants.
October 26, 2023: CPSC and Best Buy Recall 930,000 Insignia Pressure Cookers
The CPSC and Best Buy recalled about 930,000 Insignia pressure cookers sold from October 2017 through June 2023 [6]. The recall followed 31 incidents in which hot contents were expelled under pressure, including 17 documented burn injuries.
The recall blamed incorrect volume markings on the inner pot, which let users overfill the cooker. Best Buy is providing a free replacement pot and locking valve.
September 29, 2023: Colorado Judge Lets Newell-as-Manufacturer Question Go to Trial
A federal judge in Perez v. Sunbeam Products denied summary judgment on the "manufacturer" question [7]. At issue: whether Newell Brands, Sunbeam's parent, itself qualifies under Colorado's product-liability statute. The judge let a jury decide that question.
The court's order cited Newell-branded internal design-authorization and test-data documents for the multi-cooker's lid. It found a genuine dispute of fact and let the manufacturer question proceed to trial alongside Perez's other claims.
August 10, 2023: Sensio Recalls 860,000 Bella and Crux Pressure Cookers
Sensio recalled about 860,000 Bella, Bella Pro Series, Crux and Cooks-brand pressure cookers, sold 2015-2020 [8]. The recall followed 63 incidents and 61 burn injuries. Some were second- and third-degree, to the face, torso, arms and hands.
The lid could unlock and be removed during use, letting hot contents splash out unexpectedly. Sensio is offering a full refund to owners of the recalled models.
November 24, 2020: Sunbeam Recalls 914,430 Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cookers
Sunbeam Products recalled about 914,430 Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers [9]. The recall followed 119 reports of the lid suddenly detaching. The detachments caused 99 burn injuries ranging from first- to third-degree.
The unit could pressurize even when the lid was not fully locked. Sunbeam is mailing a free replacement lid and telling owners to stop using the pressure-cook setting until it arrives.
June 3, 2020: Jaimes Sues Instant Brands over Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Jaimes v. Instant Brands, Inc. (formerly Double Insight, Inc.) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (docket details above). The suit alleged product liability over an Instant Pot pressure cooker.
It is the earliest precisely dated federal filing verified for this page. The case, No. 1:20-cv-00590, was terminated June 21, 2021. The docket does not state the disposition.
Who May Be Affected?
A pressure cooker injury can support a claim regardless of brand. It qualifies as long as hot food or liquid escaped under pressure. That happens when the lid fails to stay locked.
This covers formally recalled models - Ninja Foodi, Crock-Pot, Insignia, Sensio and Ambiano among them. It also covers units like Gourmia's that so far only carry a CPSC warning.
Saving the cooker, your receipt, injury photos and medical records strengthens a claim. Qualifying for a lawsuit and any recovery depends on an individual legal review of your specific situation.
Reported Injuries or Damages
Complaints and CPSC reports describe burns ranging from first-degree scalds to third-degree burns needing skin grafts. These burns land most often on the head, neck, chest, arms and hands.
A burn-center study of 2016-2024 admissions found pressure-cooker burns were mostly second-degree (92.7%) [10]. Most were concentrated on the head, neck and chest, and nearly a third of patients needed escharotomy surgery.
Individual lawsuits allege the same defect pattern. Each suit is filed separately against its own manufacturer, rather than combined into one class action lawsuit.
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has not consolidated these cases into an MDL, so filings such as the Jaimes v. Instant Brands case above proceed on their own.
Recall and Regulatory Background
At least five CPSC recalls or warnings have covered pressure cookers since 2020. They include Sunbeam's Crock-Pot and Sensio's Bella and Crux lines. They also include Best Buy's Insignia models and SharkNinja's Ninja Foodi.
See the Ambiano pressure cooker recall and Sunbeam pressure cooker recall pages for each notice's remedy and identifiers. None of the CPSC's pressure-cooker recalls or the Gourmia warning by itself proves a manufacturer is liable.
Evidence to Preserve
Preserve the following after a pressure cooker burns you or someone in your family:
- The pressure cooker itself, unwashed and in its post-incident condition, including the lid and valve
- The box, manual and any recall or registration paperwork for your model
- Your purchase receipt or order confirmation
- Photographs of the product, its model and serial number, and your injuries
- Medical records and bills documenting treatment
- Any correspondence with the manufacturer, retailer or the CPSC about the incident
A products-liability expert may later need to examine the cooker itself. Store it safely in a closed container. Do not discard, clean, repair or replace its parts before an attorney reviews the claim.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines for a pressure cooker injury claim are set by state law. They vary by where you live and when the burn - or, in some states, your discovery of its cause - happened.
Missing a deadline can end a valid claim no matter how strong the evidence is. That can happen even years after a well-documented injury. A lawyer should review the timing promptly rather than waiting.
Potential Compensation
Pressure cooker injury suits can seek several categories of damages. These include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and scarring or disfigurement. Which categories apply depends on the case's facts.
The December 2024 Sunbeam Crock-Pot verdict above shows a jury can award substantial damages. Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
A free case review can explain what potential compensation options may realistically fit your specific injury, timeline and situation. This review comes at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You File a Lawsuit for a Pressure Cooker Explosion?
Yes, a pressure cooker explosion that burns you or a family member can support a lawsuit for potential compensation. These suits generally allege a design defect or a failure to warn. An attorney reviews which theory fits your model and injury before confirming whether a case qualifies.
How Much Is a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Worth?
How much a pressure cooker lawsuit is worth depends on several factors. These include your injury, medical costs, lost wages and the evidence in your case. No fixed amount applies, though at least one jury has awarded a burned plaintiff tens of millions of dollars.
How Do I Know If My Pressure Cooker Has Been Recalled?
You can check whether your pressure cooker has been recalled by searching your brand and model number. Use CPSC.gov's recall list or SaferProducts.gov. A claim may still exist even if your model was never formally recalled.
What Did Insignia Pressure Cookers Cost Before They Were Recalled?
Insignia pressure cookers sold for $50 to $120 before their 2023 recall. Best Buy stores nationwide, bestbuy.com and amazon.com carried them. The price and retail channels come from the CPSC's own recall notice for the affected models.
What Does the Research Say About Pressure Cooker Injuries?
Research on pressure cooker injuries shows delay matters. A burn-center study found that patients who waited longer to seek care were significantly more likely to need surgery. Escharotomy, a procedure that relieves pressure on burned tissue, was often the surgery needed.
Why Do Pressure Cooker Lids Open While Still Pressurized?
Pressure cooker lids can open while still pressurized because of defects. Locking mechanisms can fail, or float valves can stick. Seals can also let the lid twist free before internal pressure has fully vented, CPSC notices say.
References
- https://cpsc.gov/Warnings/2026/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-Immediately-Stop-Using-Gourmia-Pressure-Cookers-Due-to-Serious-Burn-Hazard-Multiple-Burn-Injuries-Reported-Majority-Sold-at-Best-Buy
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Tempo-USA-Recalls-Ambiano-Electric-Pressure-Cookers-Due-to-Serious-Burn-Hazard-Multiple-Burn-Injuries-Reported-Sold-at-ALDI
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/SharkNinja-Recalls-1-8-Million-Foodi-Multi-Function-Pressure-Cookers-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-Serious-Burn-Injuries-Reported
- https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/18-million-ninja-foodi-pressure-cookers-voluntarily-recalled/story?id=121357300
- https://www.law360.com/productliability/articles/2274579
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Best-Buy-Recalls-Insignia-Pressure-Cookers-Due-to-Burn-Hazard
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-cod-1_21-cv-01915/pdf/USCOURTS-cod-1_21-cv-01915-0.pdf
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Sensio-Recalls-Bella-Bella-Pro-Series-Cooks-and-Crux-Electric-and-Stovetop-Pressure-Cookers-Due-to-Burn-Hazard
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Crock-Pot-6-Quart-Express-Crock-Multi-Cookers-Recalled-by-Sunbeam-Products-Due-to-Burn-Hazard
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13254451/
