Latest Updates
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation of Vista, California recalled approximately 32,900 hydromassage rotary jets in Highlife Collection spas on February 12, 2026. [1] The recall (CPSC 26-268) involves defective jets that can create dangerous suction forces causing hair entanglement and drowning hazards.
Product Details
The recall involves hydromassage rotary jets with 6 fins in Highlife Collection spas and also sold as replacement parts. Eight spa models are included: Grandee, Envoy, Vanguard, Aria, Prodigy, Sovereign, Jetsetter, and Jetsetter LX.
The recalled jets are found in model year 2023, 2024, and 2025 Highlife Collection spas. The spas were sold at independent pool and spa dealers nationwide from October 2022 through September 2025 for between $16,000 and $24,000.
Replacement parts containing the defective jets were sold for between $18 and $35. The jets were manufactured in China and imported by Watkins Manufacturing Corporation of Vista, California.
Hazard and Incidents
The hydromassage rotary jets can create a powerful suction force that allows users’ hair to become entangled in the jet mechanism. Once hair is caught, the suction can pull the user’s head underwater, posing life-threatening entanglement and drowning hazards.
Watkins Manufacturing has received one report of a consumer whose hair became entangled in the defective jets. No injuries have been reported to date, but the potential for drowning remains extremely serious.
Recall Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled jets and visit www.hotspring.com/recalls to determine if their spa contains the defective parts. The serial number located on the front of the spa is required to make this determination.
If the spa has recalled jets, consumers should contact Watkins Wellness to obtain instructions and a video demonstrating how to turn off the recalled jets and install free replacement jet inserts. For assistance, contact Watkins Wellness toll-free at 888-450-5748 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or email jetrecall@watkinsmfg.com.
Luxury Product Safety Failure
Consumers who invested between $16,000 and $24,000 in premium Hot Spring spas expected safe, reliable products designed with proper safety features. Instead, they received spas with defective jets that pose life-threatening drowning hazards to users.
The high price point of these luxury spas makes the safety failure even more egregious. Watkins Manufacturing marketed these as premium products while equipping them with dangerously defective components that can trap and drown users.
Legal Claims
Individuals who suffered hair entanglement, near-drowning incidents, or injuries from the defective Hot Spring spa jets may be entitled to compensation. Claims may include strict product liability for defective design and manufacturing, failure to warn about known hazards, negligence, breach of warranty, and fraud in the inducement for selling premium spas with life-threatening defects.
Injured parties can pursue damages for medical expenses, emergency rescue costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress and trauma from near-drowning experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder, lost wages, and diminished value of the expensive spa. Families of drowning victims may pursue wrongful death claims against Watkins Manufacturing Corporation.
Contact an Attorney
If you or a loved one experienced hair entanglement, a near-drowning incident, or any injury involving Hot Spring Highlife Collection spa jets, contact an experienced product liability attorney immediately. You may be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries and the emotional trauma of a life-threatening experience.
Even if you were not injured but own one of these recalled spas, you may have claims for the diminished value of your expensive investment and the cost of repairs. An attorney can evaluate your case, help you navigate the recall process, pursue full compensation from Watkins Manufacturing, and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable for selling dangerous products.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Watkins-Manufacturing-Recalls-Hydromassage-Rotary-Jets-in-Highlife-Collection-Spas-Due-to-Entanglement-and-Drowning-Hazards