Exploding Bottle Recall Hits Walmart’s Across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin

Have you ever left one of those seal-tight coffee cups or water bottles in your car on a hot summer day? We all know heat expands things — in fact, we're beginning to learn how modern engineering can take a water bottle and turn it into a rocket.

Walmart has issued an urgent recall on nearly 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz stainless steel water bottles after reports surfaced that the screw-on lid can forcefully explode off. It can even carry enough power to cause serious injuries. And yes, that includes permanent vision loss.

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The bottles have been sold since 2017. They're priced around $15 and now have been pulled from shelves in stores across the Tri-States and the nation as a whole. If you’ve got one sitting at home or tucked into your car’s cup holder, here’s what you need to know: stop using it immediately.

The issue arises when the bottle has been used to store perishable liquids like juice, milk, or even carbonated beverages. Over time, pressure builds inside, and when you go to open it... Ka-boom. The cap can launch like a missile, posing a real risk to your face and eyes. So far, two unlucky customer had it hit their face so hard, they lost sight permanently.

The bottles in question are silver with a black one-piece screwcap, marked as model number 83-662 (though that number only appears on the original packaging). They’re about 11.5 inches tall and sport the Ozark Trail logo on the side.

Walmart is urging all customers to return the bottle to any store for a full refund, no questions asked. You can also contact Walmart’s customer service if you prefer to handle it online.

In a statement, Walmart emphasized its commitment to safety and quick response to recalls. Still, it’s a scary reminder: even everyday gear can become dangerous under the right (or wrong) conditions.

So if you’ve got one of these bottles lying around, don’t take any chances. Get it out of your house and back to the store for that refund. Come to think of it, I may have one or two of these I need to return.