DANGEROUS TIPPING HAZARD: Defective Center of Gravity (Model: Hadley)
We purchased two CHITA Hadley Modern Zero Wall-Hugger Power Recliners. While they are visually appealing and comfortable, they possess a severe, systemic engineering flaw regarding their center of gravity when the footrest is extended.If a user sits with the leg rest up and performs standard, everyday movements—such as leaning slightly forward to pick up a slipped blanket or reaching for an item on a coffee table—the entire heavy metal base frame lifts completely off the floor. The chair violently nose-dives forward. This happened to my 83-year-old mother while she was using it daily. She nearly crashed to the floor, and I luckily was right there to catch her before a severe injury occurred. We have a 1.5-year-old toddler frequently in the home who climbs on furniture, making this a catastrophic crushing or pinning hazard. We replicated this exact tipping failure easily across BOTH identical units we purchased. It is not an isolated defect; it is a structural design failure. When we contacted CHITA Living customer service with video proof, they completely deflected responsibility. They refused a return or refund outside the standard window, stating in writing that this dangerous tipping behavior is "functioning as designed" and that users must remain entirely rigid and immobilized while the footrest is out to avoid destabilizing the chair. Expecting an elderly user or a toddler to follow these unrealistic constraints to avoid a crash is entirely unacceptable. We have officially filed an unsafe product report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC Case Report Number: 20260926-E3A11-2147308979). If you have seniors, children, or value basic living room safety, please avoid this model entirely.
By Jen M.
Response from Chita Living· Oct 19, 2026
Hi Jen, We’re sorry to hear how frightening this experience was for your mother and your family. Thank you for sharing the video and explaining your concerns. The video you shared with us shows your mother reaching toward the floor while the footrest is extended. We will ask our product team to assess the movement shown, the chair’s stability, and the relevant operating instructions before drawing conclusions. We would appreciate the opportunity to continue this conversation through your existing customer service email thread, review any outstanding concerns, and discuss next steps. CHITA Living Customer Support Team