FDA PRODUCT CODE · CLASS II
ITI — Wheelchair, Powered
A powered wheelchair is a battery-operated device with wheels that is intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position. FDA interprets mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position to mean the device type is intended to provide mobility to individuals who have mobility impairments and require an assistive device for mobility. NOTE: This type of device is not intended to climb stairs (see product code: IMK).
What these counts are not
Clearance and recall counts are SPEQ’s aggregation of FDA’s own published records for the code. A recall count is a measure of history, not of a device’s safety, neither number is an FDA rating, and SPEQ is not affiliated with the FDA.
What this classification requires
Every statement below is FDA’s own classification record for this product code, quoted from the device classification field reference. The SPEQ reading beneath each one is SPEQ’s interpretation of what it means for the work, and is not FDA text.
510(K)
SPEQ READINGA premarket notification under 21 CFR Part 807 Subpart E is the route for this code. The submission argues substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate, so the engineering question is which predicate the design can actually be compared against, and the evidence question is what testing supports that comparison.
Class II (moderate to high risk): general controls and special controls
SPEQ READINGSpecial controls are the distinguishing feature: performance standards, guidance documents, patient registries or postmarket surveillance named for the device type. Find the special controls before designing the test plan — they usually name the tests.
Device is eligible for The Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting Program
SPEQ READINGMalfunctions for this code may be reported in periodic summary form rather than as individual MDRs under 21 CFR Part 803. Eligibility is a property of the product code; using it is a decision the manufacturer makes and must be able to justify.
Not exempt due to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)/Quality System
SPEQ READINGThe full Quality Management System Regulation (21 CFR 820, incorporating ISO 13485:2016) applies, and is what an FDA inspection of this device will be conducted against.
Device is not implantable
SPEQ READINGNo implant-specific expectations attach from the classification itself.
Device is not used for life sustaining purposes
SPEQ READINGNo life-sustaining designation attaches to this code.
Device is a candidate for a third party review program
SPEQ READINGAn Accredited Person may conduct the 510(k) review instead of FDA. FDA still makes the clearance decision — third-party review changes who reviews, never who decides.
21 CFR 890.3860 — Powered wheelchair
The classification regulation for this product code, as published by the Office of the Federal Register. This is the regulation text itself — no SPEQ interpretation appears in it.
(a) Identification. A powered wheelchair is a battery-operated device with wheels that is intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position.
(b) Classification. Class II (performance standards).
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21. 21 CFR is a work of the United States Government and is in the public domain. SPEQ read this section on October 22, 2026. CFR is amended continuously, so verify against the source before acting on it: read 21 CFR 890.3860 on eCFR →
Recent clearances
Recent recalls
There is a potential failure of the top plate assembly, which is the component that connects the seating system of the wheelchair to the base.
There is a potential failure of the top plate assembly, which is the component that connects the seating system of the wheelchair to the base.
The interface between the TB3 back and tilt base can separate when tilted beyond the specified angle.
For some Invacare chairs, the stability lock feature may not be engaging properly or consistently. If the stability lock feature does not engage properly, the wheelchair may do one or more of the following: (1) veer to one side; (2) rock forward onto its front riggings; (3) drive in an unintended c
Invacare has become aware that on some chairs, the stability lock feature may not be engaging properly or consistently. If the stability lock feature does not engage properly, the wheelchair may veer to one side or it may rock forward onto its front riggings.
Software error may permit the chair to recline too far.
The wheel hub bolts may loosen resulting in the wheels coming off.
The wheel hub bolts may loosen resulting in the wheels coming off.
Source: FDA device classification, 510(k)/PMA, and recall datasets. Recall entries count distinct FDA recall numbers, so one recall event affecting several products appears as several entries. Browse every product code SPEQ tracks →