GoPro Recalls First-Ever Drone 16 Days After Launch, Citing Power Problems

GoPro announced the Karma — its first-ever, hotly-anticipated drone — last month. But a little more than two weeks after the device arrived in consumers’ hands, GoPro has recalled the Karma, the action camera company wrote on its official website yesterday.

“We have recalled Karma until we resolve a performance issue related to a loss of power during operation,” GoPro explained, noting that it would offer consumers a full refund. “We plan to resume shipment of Karma once the issue is addressed.” While GoPro said that the issue only appeared to affect a small number of devices, the company is urging all consumers to stop using their Karma drones and participate in the recall.

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More than 2,500 Karma units have been sold since the device’s launch, the company said in a press release — though no injuries or property damage have been reported thus far. Founder and CEO Nick Woodman said the company was “working in close coordination with both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Federal Aviation Administration” to resolve the issue.

Analysts had initially predicted that the Karma — which is priced at $800 and can fold up to fit inside of a backpack — could sell 100,000 drones this year, representing roughly $50 million in sales. The sobering recall arrives as GoPro reported dismal third quarter earnings last week of $240 million in revenue — a steeper-than-expected 40% decline over the $400 million that the company took in over the same period last year.