Permobil in 2026: power chairs, TiLite, SmartDrive and ROHO, with US list prices, warranty, Medicare and FDA recalls

The short answer

What does Permobil make, and what does it cost in the United States? Mobility Atlas read Permobil's own US pages, price sheets, warranty documents and funding guides, the Medicare rules and the FDA recall file, most of them on 27 October 2026. Permobil, whose about page says it has been "Innovating for individuals since 1967", makes power wheelchairs such as the M1, M3 Corpus, F3 Corpus and M5 Corpus, TiLite manual wheelchairs such as the TiLite Z, the SmartDrive MX2+ power assist and ROHO air cushions. Its US price sheets, linked as 2026 but carrying 2023 and 2025 file titles, list base prices from 8,622 dollars (M1) to 18,559 dollars (F5 Corpus VS) for adult power chairs, 2,725 dollars for a TiLite Z, 7,529 dollars for a SmartDrive MX2+ system and 534 dollars for most ROHO cushions. These are base list prices, not what insurance pays or what a configured chair costs. You get one through a dealer, usually after a prescription and a seating evaluation.

Warranty, as Permobil words it: one year on the M1, M3 Corpus and F3 Corpus, two years on the M5 Corpus and F5 Corpus, five years on TiLite frames listed in the TiLite warranty and one year on their other TiLite-made parts, two years on the SmartDrive MX2+, and 6 to 60 months on ROHO products, depending on the item. The power chair clock starts seven days after Permobil ships the chair to the dealer, not on the day you receive it.

Medicare treats the base and each power seat function as separate items with separate rules. Permobil prints suggested billing codes on its guides and order forms. Its TiLite order forms say those codes are "for reference purposes only"; its funding guides say they do not "guarantee funding from any source." The FDA recall file holds 14 records for Permobil and its brands, 9 of them still open on the day we read it, 7 of those about SmartDrive controls.

Mobility Atlas earns a fee or margin when you order through us; the comparison below uses only Permobil's published pages and documents, two US retailers' published listings, our own catalog, and the CMS, Medicare.gov and FDA records named in each section. If you want us to find a Permobil, TiLite, SmartDrive or ROHO product, send an enquiry with the model, your prescription or your therapist's notes, and the state where you live, and ask us to find it. Our catalog also has Permobil, TiLite and ROHO brand pages that list the rows named under this guide.

How we compared

We read 14 files saved for this guide on 27 October 2026: Permobil's US about, owner, brands, management, careers, contact and financial report pages and its M4 Nexa press release; its MAP pricing page and the four price sheets behind it; the US legal page and the warranty documents it links for power chairs, TiLite and ROHO; the US product pages for the M1, M3 Corpus, F3 Corpus, M5 Corpus, TiLite Z, TiLite Aero T and SmartDrive MX2+, with the funding guides, order forms, brochure, user manual and comparison matrices linked from them; Permobil's Power Wheelchair Digital Guide, its US support and providers pages, its +Connect letter to users and its UK Protection Plan page; two US retailers' TiLite and SmartDrive listings; and every FDA recall record openFDA returned for Permobil, TiLite, Max Mobility and ROHO.

Reused from earlier guides: the Explorer Mini page, order form and manual and the F5 Corpus VS page, manual and funding guide (read 23 October 2026); an M1 user manual (read 25 October 2026); the FDA's saved recall pages for five Permobil and Max Mobility recalls, the FDA posting of Permobil's April 2025 recall notice and Permobil's August 2025 press release (read 10 October 2026); Sportaid's cushion listings, a ROHO setup leaflet and a Permobil blog post on ROHO inflation (read 11 October 2026); 1800wheelchair's lightweight wheelchair page (read 10 October 2026); and the CMS and Medicare.gov coverage files named in the Medicare sections (read 10 to 23 October 2026).

Limits: we did not try, test or ride any product. Permobil's order forms are written for dealers, and several manuals, the TiLite CR1 warranty and the Explorer Mini warranty were not opened; we say where. Prices are what the sheets and listings printed on the day we read them. This guide is written for the United States; Permobil sells in other countries under different prices, warranties and funding rules.

Permobil in brief, as its own pages describe it

Permobil's US about page says Dr. Per Uddén, whom its brands page calls the founder, "believed every person has the right to have his or her disability compensated as far as possible by aids with the same technical standard as those we all use in our everyday lives." Its brands page says he was "a doctor working in Sweden" who met polio patients and "created some of the first power wheelchairs." The careers page says Permobil has "a direct sales presence in more than 15 countries, and production facilities in seven, spread over three continents," and speaks of "our Swedish roots." None of the permobil.com pages we read names a group headquarters city; Permobil's recall press release and its +Connect letter to US users give 300 Duke Drive, Lebanon, TN 37090.

Ownership: the about page says Permobil is a "wholly owned subsidiary of Investor AB," founded by the Wallenberg family in 1916. The owner page says Patricia Industries, set up in 2015, "is responsible for the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Investor AB." Permobil's management page lists Chuck Witkowski as CEO and President, who joined in November 2019 and was President of Permobil Americas from 2019 to 2025, Claes Ruth as Chief Financial Officer as of May 4, 2026, and Todd Walling as President of Permobil Americas.

Size: Permobil's financial reports page says that in its Year-End Report 2025, revenue "decreased by -5%" to SEK 6 161m, with organic growth of 1 percent, and operating profit was SEK 1 007m. These are group figures in Swedish kronor, as Permobil prints them; they say nothing about any one product.

The brands page lists six product brands: Permobil power wheelchairs; TiLite manual wheelchairs in aluminium or titanium; PDG Mobility chairs, which it says are "built in Canada"; ROHO air-cell cushions; Comfort cushions and postural supports; and SmartDrive power assist. The legal page also lists warranties for BodiTrak and Tru-Shape. This guide covers four of them: Permobil power chairs, TiLite, SmartDrive and ROHO.

The power chair lineup on one page

The table puts Permobil's adult power chairs side by side, using the US product pages, Permobil's power wheelchair comparison matrix (document DOC0137-02) and the Permobil Power MAP sheet. MSRP is the maker's suggested retail price and MAP the minimum advertised price, both for the base chair only.

Heavy-duty versions of the M3 and F3 Corpus are listed at 10,455 and 10,343 dollars MSRP, 1,575 dollars more than the standard base in both cases, by our sum. The F5 Corpus VS also has a Group 3 version listed at 10,915 dollars MSRP, the same as the M Corpus VS. The F5 Corpus VS warranty depends on the version: the one-year document names "F5 Corpus VS (Group 3)" and the two-year document "F5 Corpus VS (Group 4)".

On every line of the power sheet, the MAP is 88 percent of the MSRP, by our arithmetic. Neither figure includes power seat functions, seating, electronics options, delivery or set-up, and the matrix says "All specifications may vary based upon configuration." For what a power chair is and how the drive types differ, see the electric wheelchair guide.

M3 Corpus and M5 Corpus: the mid-wheel Corpus chairs

The M3 Corpus page calls it "a mid wheel drive power wheelchair engineered to provide stable positioning and reduced driving fatigue." Its specification table lists a 330 lb maximum user weight, a 6 mph top speed, a range of 16 miles with Group 34 batteries or 20 miles with Group 24 batteries, a base 24 in wide and 35.5 in long, a 20.5 in turning radius, R-Net 120A electronics, an optional 12 in seat elevator, power tilt from 0 to 50 degrees backward with 5, 10 and 20 degrees forward, power recline from 85 to 180 degrees, and a weight with batteries of 385 lb. Its funding guide prints 405 lb with Group 24 batteries.

One paragraph on the same page speaks of "up to 45° of ActiveReach forward tilt capability and up to 14” of ActiveHeight seat elevation." Those are the Corpus family maxima, also printed on the matrix; the M3's own table says 12 in and 20 degrees. Ask the dealer to confirm the figures for the exact chair being quoted. Our own catalog row for the M3 Corpus gives other figures (14 in and 45 degrees); this guide uses the M3 page's table.

The M5 Corpus page says it "delivers high-performance motors with a 7.5 mph top speed" and that its FlexLink Pro suspension "remains active even with 14” seat elevation." Its table lists 330 lb, a 20 mile range on Group 24 batteries, a base 25 in wide and 37.5 in long, a 21.5 in turning radius, an optional 14 in seat elevator, 8 in casters and 423 lb with batteries. The M5 is listed at 14,504 dollars MSRP, 5,624 dollars more than the M3 Corpus base, by our sum.

The bigger difference for funding is the code. Permobil's M3 funding guide places the M3 under "Group 3 Multiple Power Wheelchair Base – K0861/K0862", while the M5 guide places the M5 under "Group 4 Multiple Power Wheelchair Base – K0884". The M5 guide suggests Group 4 where the person "requires improved suspension to minimize pain and/or triggers of spasticity" or needs seat function ranges "not available on a Group 3 base." What Medicare says about Group 4 is in the Medicare section below. Each has an open FDA recall record about firmware: for the M3, only the model version 3 chair with the heavy-duty shock (REF 120031) running firmware 1.26.2; for the M5, firmware versions 1.27 through 1.57. Both are covered in the recall sections.

F3 Corpus and F5 Corpus: the front-wheel Corpus chairs

The F3 Corpus page calls it "a compact, front-wheel-drive power wheelchair designed for tight spaces." Its table lists 330 lb, "6 mph, 5 mph without anti-tips", 16 or 20 miles of range depending on the battery group, a base 24 in wide and 36 or 40 in long, a 26.5 in turning radius, an optional 12 in seat elevator, forward tilt of 5, 10, 20 and 30 degrees, and 386 lb with batteries. The funding guide prints 407 lb with Group 24 batteries and the same Group 3 codes as the M3.

The F5 Corpus has no page in our file set, but the matrix lists it at 330 lb, "7.5 mph / 6 mph without support wheels", 20 miles, a base 25.5 in wide, a 30 in turning radius, 412 lb with Group 24 batteries, an optional 14 in seat elevator and forward tilt up to 45 degrees. It carries the same 14,504 dollar MSRP as the M5 Corpus and the two-year warranty.

The F5 Corpus VS adds a power standing function. Its page lists a 300 lb maximum user, "5.8 mph for Group 3; 7.5 mph for Group 4", and 432 lb with batteries; the model version 3 user manual gives 454 lb with batteries and a theoretical range of 18.0 or 18.5 miles; the matrix gives 5 mph for Group 3 and 7 mph for Group 4. The manual lists reduced bone density and poor circulation among "the most common reasons not to use the standing function." Whether standing is right for a person is a decision for their physician and therapist. The standing wheelchair guide covers standing chairs, their risks and their funding in detail.

The M1 and the M300 Corpus HD

The M1 page describes "a mid-wheel drive power wheelchair designed for users who need a reliable, rehab-style seating system with minimal or no power seat functions." Its table lists a 300 lb maximum user, seat widths of 14 to 22 in, a 16 mile range on Group 34 batteries, a base 24 in wide and 35.5 in long, a 20.5 in turning radius, power tilt from 0 to 50 degrees backward, a manual recline of 85 to 110 degrees and 319 lb with batteries. The matrix prints a recline range of 85 to 140 degrees for the M1; the page and the matrix differ, so ask.

The M1 page prints no top speed and no billing code, and unlike the Corpus pages it links no funding guide. The speed comes from Permobil's comparison matrix, which lists the M1 at 5 mph. The M1 is listed at 8,622 dollars MSRP and 7,588 dollars MAP, and the one-year warranty document names it. An M1 user manual we read for an earlier guide, an Australian edition hosted by a dealer, says "The expected service life of this product is five years." Buying an M1 or any other chair second-hand is covered in the used wheelchair guide.

The M300 Corpus HD is the heavy-duty chair in the matrix: 450 lb maximum user, 5 mph, 13 or 20 miles of range, a base 26 in wide and 38 in long, an optional 8 in seat elevator, tilt to 45 degrees, seat widths of 19 to 25 in, and 425 or 447 lb with batteries. It is listed at 11,444 dollars MSRP and 10,071 dollars MAP, with the one-year warranty.

Power chairs for children

Permobil's matrix has a pediatric series. The Explorer Mini is for children aged "12 months – 3 years", up to 35 lb and 39 in tall, with a top speed of 1.5 mph; Permobil's dealer order form, dated August 2025, prints a price of 2,944 dollars. It is not on the 2026 power MAP sheet, and the legal page lists a separate "Explorer Mini 6 Month Limited Product Warranty", which we did not open. Its manual says "Do not let a child use the Explorer Mini alone." Our catalog, checked October 2026, lists it at around GBP 2,600 before VAT at a UK dealer.

The Explorer Mini page gives a driving range of 3 mi, the matrix 3.5 mi. The Koala price line on the MAP sheet reads "Koala Mini Flex R net", and the two-year warranty names "Koala Miniflex". TiLite also makes two youth manual chairs, the Twist (adjustable) and the Pilot (growable), listed below. The pediatric wheelchair guide explains growth, funding and school use for children's chairs; this guide does not repeat it.

M4 Nexa: the new chair Permobil announced in September 2026

A Permobil press release posted on 9/23/2026 announced the M4 Nexa, "an all-new compact mid-wheel power wheelchair." It lists a base 21.5 in wide and 33.5 in long, a "Tight 21.1 inch" turning radius, a seat-to-floor height "as low as 15 inches", seat widths from 12 to 22 in, and "20+ miles" of range. It was not on the 2026 MAP sheet or in the matrix we read, so we have no Permobil price for it.

On availability, the release says the M4 Nexa "is expected to become available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) following anticipated FDA 510(k) clearance in early October 2026," and that "Full commercial availability in the United States and Canada is planned for January 2027, subject to regulatory and market access requirements." We found no record of that clearance in our files, and we do not guess at it. If you are offered an M4 Nexa, ask the dealer for the clearance and the warranty document that applies.

TiLite manual wheelchairs: the lineup

TiLite's chairs are made to order. Permobil's brands page says TiLite has been "making manual wheelchairs made of aluminium or titanium" for over 20 years, built to "match the shape and needs of each end user," a process it calls TiFit. The table uses Permobil's TiLite comparison matrix (MS0008_RevQ) and the Permobil Manual MAP sheet. The matrix measures transport weight on a 16 in by 16 in chair (12 by 12 in for the youth chairs) without rear wheels; for the TiLite X and Z it also leaves out anything removable without tools. The Z's heavy-duty limit comes from its product page.

The sheet adds one line: "All Options and accessories" at 20 percent off for MAP. On the TiLite sheet the MAP is 70 percent of the MSRP for the TR, TRA, ZR, ZRA and 2GX, by our arithmetic, and between 69 and 85 percent for the others. The Aero T is not on the sheet; its order form, dated March 2026, prints 3,191 dollars for the aluminium frame.

The TiLite Aero Z does not appear in the US manual wheelchair listing we read on 27 October 2026 or in the comparison matrix, but the TiLite warranty document still names "TiLite Aero Z" in its list of covered chairs. For choosing between rigid and folding chairs, frame materials and weights in general, see the lightweight wheelchair guide.

The TiLite Z in detail

The TiLite Z page calls it "a lightweight, high-performance aluminum rigid wheelchair." It lists seat widths and depths of 12 to 20 in, a transport weight of 11.3 lb, camber of 0, 2, 4 or 6 degrees, front frame angles of 75 to 90 degrees, 5 in of centre of gravity adjustment, and a weight limit of "Standard: 275 lb. and HD: 350 lb." The page also claims "Over 1 billion possible configurations"; that is Permobil's claim, not a number we can check.

The dealer order form, dated July 2026, adds detail. It prices the "Aluminum Rigid Frame" at 2,750 dollars and the frame with transit tie-downs at 2,995 dollars, lists a "250lb Weight Limit Standard" and a 275 lb limit at no charge, and prices the heavy-duty 350 lb frame at 575 dollars more, available only with 18 to 20 in seat widths and 16 to 20 in depths and not with the transit tie-down. A Z ordered with the heavy-duty frame would start at 3,325 dollars on that form, by our sum, before any other option.

Two price figures exist for the same chair: the MAP sheet prints an MSRP of 2,725 dollars, the order form 2,750 dollars. The sheet behind the "Permobil Manual MAP 2026" link is titled "Permobil-Manual-MAP-2023-01"; the order form is dated July 2026. Ask the dealer which list they are quoting from. Sportaid listed the TiLite Z at 1,925 dollars on 27 October 2026, the same as the MAP.

The order form prints the codes "K0005, E1235" next to the frame, and ends with Permobil's own warning: "HCPCS Codes are for reference purposes only. Actual coding and coverage varies by payer. Proper HCPCS coding is not a guarantee of payment." It also says "These wheelchairs must be fitted by a qualified healthcare professional." The TiLite Z page links no warranty document, and the TiLite warranty's list of models does not name the TiLite Z; ask the dealer which warranty applies to a Z before you order.

SmartDrive MX2+ power assist

The SmartDrive MX2+ is a power assist drive unit with a single wheel, the OmniWheel, that attaches to a manual wheelchair. Permobil's page prints the code "E0986: Manual wheelchair accessory" and says the device gives "up to 80% fewer pushes"; its brochure says it has "been proven to reduce up to 81%* of your pushes", with the asterisk pointing to "data collected from SmartDrive's SmartEvaluation App". Both are Permobil's claims.

The brochure lists a drive unit of 13.2 lb, a user weight of 30 to 331 lb, a range of "Up to 12.3 mi", a 250 W motor, chair widths of 8 to 22 in, drive wheels of 22 to 26 in, and a "2-Year Limited Warranty." The user manual gives a default top speed of 4 mph, with 5.5 mph optional and "May be restricted in certain regions", and an expected service life of 5 years. The May 2026 order form prices the MX2-162 system at 7,529 dollars, with SwitchControl buttons or a SwitchControl with a mono jack included; the SmartDrive MAP sheet lists the same MSRP and a MAP of 6,626 dollars. Sportaid listed it at 6,626 dollars on 27 October 2026.

Controls matter here, because most of the open recall records are about them. The page says SwitchControl, "formerly known as the thumb throttle", comes with every MX2+. The SpeedControl Dial was withdrawn: Permobil's August 2025 press release says it "is no longer an available control option." The PushTracker E2 and E3 watches had a software recall in 2023. All of this is in the recall sections below.

The manual's warranty text says the warranty may be voided if "modification or alteration of any nature is made in the electrical circuitry or physical construction," and that "Permobil is not responsible for any damage to one's wheelchair caused by the attachment or operation of the SmartDrive". Ask your therapist whether power assist suits your shoulders, your chair and your routes before you order.

ROHO cushions and backs

ROHO makes air-cell cushions that Permobil's brands page describes as using "a patented design called DRY FLOATATION® technology." The ROHO MAP sheet, titled "ROHO-MAP-2025-01" behind the 2026 link, lists most ROHO air cushions at 534 dollars MSRP and 417 dollars MAP, cushions wider than 20 in at 594 and 464 dollars, dual compartment cushions at 559 and 437 dollars, the Hybrid Elite at 552 and 431 dollars, and the MOSAIC at 155 and 121 dollars. AGILITY back systems run from 738 to 1,202 dollars MSRP. On the ROHO sheet the MAP is about 78 percent of the MSRP, by our arithmetic.

Sportaid's cushion pages, read on 11 October 2026, listed the ROHO Quadtro Select High Profile at 417 dollars and the ROHO High Profile Single Compartment at 417 to 464 dollars, the same as the MAP figures. Our catalog, checked October 2026, lists the ROHO DRY FLOATATION mattress overlay at around 1,755 to 1,975 dollars at a US retailer.

Setting up an air cushion matters as much as choosing it. A Permobil blog post by a physical therapist says the cushion "is most effective when there is 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) to 1 inch (2.5 cm) of air between the user's bottom and the seating surface," and that under-inflation and over-inflation "reduce or eliminate the cushion's benefits." A ROHO leaflet says: "confirm that there is NO CONTACT between the individual and the base of the cushioning device. If there is contact, add air." Which cushion a person needs, and how firm, is for their seating therapist; the wheelchair cushion guide compares cushion types without repeating them here.

What Permobil's prices mean, and what you will pay

Permobil's MAP pricing page says "2026 MAP pricing is effective January 1, 2026." The four sheets behind it carry older file titles: "Permobil-Manual-MAP-2023-01", "Permobil Power-MAP-2025-01", "SmartDrive-MAP-2025-01" and "ROHO-MAP-2025-01". We report both, and cannot tell from the files whether the figures changed when the titles did not.

MSRP is the price Permobil suggests a dealer charges; MAP is the lowest price a dealer may advertise. Both are for the base product. A power chair's seat functions, controls, seating, batteries and options are priced separately on the dealer order forms, and the price on the order form is not the price you pay if Medicare, Medicaid, the VA or a private insurer is involved: then the payer's own approved amount and your share decide it. Prices also differ by state, dealer and funding source; confirm the quote in writing before you sign.

• Power chairs: MAP 88 percent of MSRP on every line, so an M3 Corpus base lists at 8,880 dollars and may be advertised from 7,815 dollars, a gap of 1,065 dollars, by our sum.
• TiLite: the gap is wider as a share of the price. A TiLite Z lists at 2,725 dollars and may be advertised from 1,925 dollars, 800 dollars or about 29 percent less, by our arithmetic.
• SmartDrive MX2+: 7,529 dollars MSRP, 6,626 dollars MAP, a gap of 903 dollars.
• ROHO: 534 dollars MSRP, 417 dollars MAP for most single compartment and Select cushions, a gap of 117 dollars.

Retail listings we read on 27 October 2026 mostly sat at MAP. Sportaid listed the TiLite Z, CR1, 2GX, TRA, Twist, TR, ZRA and ZR at the MAP figures, the TiLite X one dollar under it at 1,907 dollars, the TiLite Pilot at 3,640 dollars against a MAP of 2,330 dollars, and the TiLite Aero T at 2,234 dollars. 1800wheelchair listed a TiLite 2GX at 4,353 dollars and a "TiLite Aero X" (its SKU reads TiliteX) at 2,671 dollars, each for its default build. No Aero X is on the MAP sheet or in the US listing we read; the TiLite warranty names it.

Warranty, as Permobil words it

Permobil's US legal page, last updated 10/27/2026, links ten warranty documents. The one-year power chair warranty names the F3 Corpus, "F5 Corpus VS (Group 3)", K300 PS Jr, M300 Corpus HD, M300 PS Jr, M3 Corpus, M Corpus VS and M1. The two-year document names the F5 Corpus, "F5 Corpus VS (Group 4)", K450 MX, Koala Miniflex and M5 Corpus. Apart from that summary, the two documents carry the same text, by our comparison of the saved copies.

• Start: the document says "The Warranty shall begin seven (7) days after the date Permobil ships the wheelchair to its dealer." A chair that waits at the dealer uses up part of its warranty before it reaches you.
• Who: the warranty "is effective only if the product is purchased from an authorized Permobil dealer" and "is available only to the initial purchaser". A used chair does not carry it.
• Parts: spare and replacement parts have 90 days; Permobil batteries sold as spares have one year; non-Permobil batteries carry their maker's warranty; ROHO and Comfort items carry their own.
• Not covered: labour, insurance and shipping unless Permobil authorises them, and "normal wear and tear" items including cushions, upholstery, tires, brake pads and grips, except for defects.
• Voids: the warranty "may be void" if the serial tag is removed, if the chair is used against the owner's manual (the document names exceeding the weight limit and "using the product with tie downs or locking, clamping, or other restraint systems"), or if non-Permobil equipment adversely affects how it works. Ask the dealer how this applies if you ride in a vehicle in your chair. Damage from water, fire, accidents, dropping or crushing is excluded.

Repairs by others: the document says repair by anyone other than an authorized Permobil dealer "may not void the Warranty, if the intended functionality of the product is not adversely affected," but Permobil will not pay for that repair if the warranty could have covered it. The warranty also says "you may have other legal rights that vary from state to state."

TiLite: the TiLite warranty covers frames, cross-braces and side guards for "five years from the commencement of the Warranty Period," and other TiLite-made parts for one year, both "provided that the original purchaser uses the wheelchair." It excludes tires, tubes, upholstery and grips. Its list of models names the ZR, ZRA, TR, TRA, Aero Z, Aero T, Aero X, 2GX, Pilot and Twist; it does not name the current TiLite Z or TiLite X, and the CR1 has its own document, which we did not open.

ROHO: the ROHO policy gives examples rather than one period: cushion covers 6 months; MOSAIC and LTV cushions 12 months; single compartment, Hybrid Elite and AirLITE cushions 24 months; CONTOUR SELECT, Hybrid Select and QUADTRO SELECT cushions 36 months; AGILITY backs and hardware 60 months. It says "Wear from regular use is not considered a manufacturing defect" and that "Repeated unsubstantiated warranty claims may void the warranty of the product." SmartDrive: two years against manufacturing defects.

Outside the US: Permobil UK offers a Protection Plan for F- and M-series chairs that "covers the costs of spare parts" from years 3 to 5 for a one-time fee of £1500, and says it "is not an extended warranty." We found no US equivalent on the pages we read.

Service, support and +Connect

Permobil's power chair and TiLite warranties send you back to the dealer first: "For warranty service, customers should contact the dealer from whom the product was purchased." The dealer gets a return authorisation from Permobil. If you cannot find the dealer or are not satisfied, the warranty gives Permobil's Technical Service Supervisor at (800) 736-0925. Permobil's US contact page uses that same number for power wheelchairs, for ROHO and Comfort seating, and for TiLite and SmartDrive, with techsupport@permobil.com and parts@permobil.com for power chairs.

+Connect: Permobil's Corpus pages say these chairs are "Connected from the factory", with a footnote "From April 28, 2026 for chairs delivered in the US." The M3 Corpus page adds: "Beginning September 2, 2026, built-in connectivity will be enabled across existing Power Platform wheelchairs in the field." Permobil's letter to users, dated July 2, 2026, says US Power Platform chairs would begin transmitting technical data on September 2, 2026, and Canadian chairs on October 1, 2026.

The letter says technical data "includes information such as seating positions, mileage, battery status, system messages, maintenance information, diagnostic data, and service data." It says Permobil's goal is to "increase functionality, service efficiency, and user experience". It also says how to stop it: "To request that technical data be turned off, Contact Permobil Customer Experience by phone at 800-736-0925." Those are Permobil's words; we have no other source on what the data is used for, and we do not guess.

One recall record shows the connection at work: the M5 Corpus firmware recall told dealers that "Cellular connection is required to receive and install the firmware update." For general repair advice, error codes and how to find a technician, see the power wheelchair repair guide; for batteries and chargers, the power wheelchair batteries guide.

How you buy a Permobil in the United States

Permobil's power chair pages we read show no price. The F5 Corpus VS page has a "Configure now" link to a Permobil Store, and the US support form lists "Permobil Store" among its products; we did not examine the store, so ask Permobil what it sells and to whom. The order forms we read are addressed to the dealer ("Dealer Name*: Account #*:"), the TiLite Z form has an ATP line, and Permobil's warranty applies only to chairs bought from an authorized Permobil dealer. We found no public dealer locator on Permobil's US site on 27 October 2026; its US "Providers" page is a portal for existing dealers. The UK and global sites have dealer and distributor locators. Call Permobil on 800-736-0925 and ask for dealers near you, or ask your seating clinic which dealers it works with.

Permobil's own Power Wheelchair Digital Guide says "CRT equipment requires a physician face-to-face appointment, an OT/PT evaluation, and an ATP directly involved in the equipment choice." In practice the order is:

1. A face-to-face visit with your doctor or other treating provider, who writes the order.
2. A specialty seating evaluation by a physical or occupational therapist, who decides the base, the seat functions, the cushion and the controls with you.
3. A dealer that employs a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), who measures you, configures the chair and sends the paperwork, including any prior authorisation.
4. Funding decisions by Medicare, Medicaid, the VA or a private insurer, then the build and delivery.
5. A fitting and hand-over, where the dealer sets up the chair and shows you the controls.

TiLite chairs follow a similar path. The TiLite order form says "The final selection of a particular model, its options and accessories, and its measurements rests solely with the wheelchair user and the advising healthcare professional." ROHO cushions and the SmartDrive appear at some retailers, as listed above, but a therapist should still choose the size, type and set-up. The power wheelchair guide says it "is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional," and neither is this one.

Medicare and a Permobil power chair

How does Medicare treat a Permobil power chair? Mobility Atlas read the CMS power mobility rules, Medicare.gov's page and Permobil's funding guides in October 2026. Medicare Part B covers a power wheelchair only when medically necessary, after a face-to-face examination and a written prescription. Permobil codes the M3 and F3 Corpus as Group 3 multiple power option bases (K0861/K0862); the M1 page prints no code. For those codes, LCD L33789 requires the basic power chair criteria (a) to (e) and the Group 3 criteria, including a mobility limitation due to "a neurological condition, myopathy, or congenital skeletal deformity," a therapist's specialty evaluation and an ATP dealer, plus meeting the criteria for a combined power tilt and recline system used on the chair, or a ventilator mounted on the chair. Permobil codes the M5 Corpus Group 4; L33789 says Group 4 bases will be denied. Medicare.gov says: "After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (if your supplier accepts assignment)."

Permobil's guides print codes such as K0861 for an M3 or F3 Corpus base and K0862 for the heavy-duty version, with E1007 for power tilt and recline. Permobil's guides add their own warning, which says "the information provided does not guarantee funding from any source." The codes are Permobil's suggestion. Coverage comes from the CMS rules, and the supplier decides how to bill. No code on a Permobil page guarantees coverage. Medicare.gov adds that certain types of power wheelchair need prior authorisation, which the supplier usually requests.

On Group 4, Permobil's Power Wheelchair Digital Guide says "a Group 4 power mobility base is considered a non-covered item under Medicare" and that "some state Medicaid and private insurances will cover a Group 4 base with the appropriate justification." The CMS rule itself, LCD L33789, puts it this way: "Group 4 PWCs (K0868,K0869, K0870, K0871, K0877, K0878, K0879, K0880, K0884, K0885, K0886) have added capabilities that are not needed for use in the home. Therefore, if these wheelchairs are provided they will be denied as not reasonable and necessary." K0884 is the code Permobil prints for the M5 Corpus and for the Group 4 F5 Corpus VS.

Power tilt and recline have their own rule, LCD L33792: the seat functions are covered only if the base is covered, a therapist has evaluated the person, an ATP dealer supplies the chair, and the person is at high risk of a pressure ulcer and cannot do a functional weight shift, uses intermittent catheterisation and cannot transfer independently, or needs the system to manage tone or spasticity. The tilt-in-space wheelchair guide covers tilt and recline in detail.

Ask the supplier, before anything is ordered, whether they accept assignment, which codes they will bill, whether prior authorisation is needed and what you will owe. Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, the VA and private insurers set their own rules; confirm with yours.

The seat elevator: Permobil's guide and what CMS says now

Permobil's Power Wheelchair Digital Guide, read on 27 October 2026, still says: "under Medicare, a seat elevator is considered a luxury item and not deemed medically necessary even though this power seat function could mean the difference between independence or the need for assistance with a transfer." That is no longer what the national rule says.

CMS's National Coverage Determination 280.16, "Seat Elevation Equipment (Power Operated) on Power Wheelchairs", took effect on 05/16/2023, with an implementation date of 09/04/2023. It says that "power seat elevation equipment is reasonable and necessary for individuals using complex rehabilitative power-driven wheelchairs, when the following conditions are met." The first condition is a specialty evaluation "that confirms the individual's ability to safely operate the seat elevation equipment in the home," done by a PT, OT or other practitioner with training in rehabilitation wheelchair evaluations. The second is that at least one of three applies:

• The NCD says the person "performs weight bearing transfers to/from the power wheelchair while in the home", by a non-level sitting transfer or a sit to stand transfer, with or without help or equipment such as a sliding board.
• The NCD says the person "requires a non-weight bearing transfer (e.g. a dependent transfer) to/from the power wheelchair while in the home", with or without a lift.
• The NCD says the person "performs reaching from the power wheelchair to complete one or more mobility related activities of daily living (MRADLs) such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming and bathing in customary locations within the home."

The CMS decision memo, quoting 42 CFR 414.202, defines a complex rehabilitative power-driven wheelchair as a Group 2 power chair "with power options that can accommodate rehabilitative features (for example, tilt in space)" or a Group 3 power chair. Group 4 bases are not in that definition, and LCD L33789 denies them. For other Medicare-covered power chairs, the NCD leaves seat elevation to the Medicare contractor's "discretion." The memo also says that in 2006, looking at the iBOT, CMS concluded that its seat elevation function "was not primarily medical in nature." In our reading, Permobil's guide sentence matches that older position, and appears to predate May 2023.

Two more details from the CMS files. The Wheelchair Options/Accessories rule, LCD L33792, now names code E2298 for a power seat elevation system; its revision history shows E2300 removed from that language and E2298 added from 04/01/2024. Permobil's M3, F3 and M5 funding guides still list "E2300 | Power Adjustable Seat Height (ActiveHeight™)". Ask the supplier which code they will use. And none of this makes a seat elevator automatic: the person has to meet the conditions, the paperwork has to show it, and a claim can still be denied. Permobil's guide also says power seat elevation "is covered by some state Medicaid programs and private insurances"; check your own plan.

Standing chairs and Medicare

The F5 Corpus VS and M Corpus VS can bring the user to a standing position. Permobil's F5 Corpus VS funding guide lists code E2301, "Power Standing System", with a list of reasons a therapist might give. The CMS policy article A52504 says: "A power standing feature (E2301) is non-covered because it is not primarily medical in nature." It also says that if an electrical connection described by E2310 or E2311 is there only for a power standing feature, "it will be denied as non-covered."

The 2023 seat elevation decision memo says CMS accepted a request to look at standing equipment too, but that it is "outside the scope of this analysis" and that "CMS will consider these items in a separate future National Coverage Analysis." We found no newer CMS decision on standing in our files. Some state Medicaid programs, private insurers or the VA may treat standing differently; ask them in writing. The standing wheelchair guide covers the funding routes for standing chairs.

Permobil's FDA recall records

What do the FDA recall records show for Permobil? Mobility Atlas read every recall record that openFDA returned on 27 October 2026 for recalling firms named Permobil, TiLite, Max Mobility or ROHO; the database was last updated on 2026-10-24. There are 14 records, initiated between February 2012 and August 2025. Nine are listed as "Open, Classified" and five as "Terminated". Seven of the open records concern SmartDrive MX2+ controls: two cover the PushTracker E2 and E3 watches in 2023, when the motor could keep running if the app failed, and five cover the SpeedControl Dial in 2024 and 2025, which Permobil has since withdrawn. The other two open records, both posted in July 2026, concern firmware on the M3 Corpus with a heavy-duty shock and on the M5 Corpus. No record names TiLite as the recalling firm. Recall records count corrective actions, not how often products fail, and they do not rank brands. Check your model and serial number with your dealer or with Permobil.

Dates and quantities are as stored. "Open" means, in the FDA database's own footnote, that "not all products have been corrected or removed". Twelve of the records are filed under the FDA product code for powered wheelchairs, ITI, including the SmartDrive accessories; one under KNN (the docking system) and one under KIC (the cushions).

The SpeedControl Dial recalls

The SpeedControl Dial was a wired control for the SmartDrive MX2+. The FDA's database pages for Z-1116-2025 and Z-2538-2025, saved on 10 October 2026, are headed "Class 1 Device Recall Smart Drive MX2 SpeedControl Dial". The first recall began on December 20, 2024. The FDA posted Permobil's notice of April 2025, which describes a material change in the dial's circuit board that could cause "Continued drive", "Involuntary movement", "Loss of power" or "Failure to start driving." That notice says: "As of March 27, 2025, Max Mobility/Permobil has received 781 complaints associated with the Speed Control Dial" and "five (5) serious injuries have been reported for this issue," naming a fractured hip, a fractured tibia, a fractured malleolus bone, broken ribs and a concussion.

On August 12, 2025, Permobil expanded the recall to "all SpeedControl Dials manufactured and distributed between the dates of April 25, 2022 to July 08, 2025," including replacements sent under the earlier recall. Its press release says a design issue with "an intermittent electrical connection" could cause continued drive or involuntary movement, and that it "identified 54 complaints that may be associated with this issue," two involving serious injuries related to bone fractures. The three August 2025 records list 49,636 units between them, by our sum; the records do not say whether any of those units also sit in the earlier records. The FDA page for Z-2538-2025 says this expansion "supersedes the Class I recall" of December 2024, whose records list the quantity as unknown.

What Permobil told users to do: "Immediately discontinue use of the SpeedControl dial," and use a wired SwitchControl or the SmartDrive MX2+ app on a compatible Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch instead. The release says the dial "is no longer an available control option" but that "the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device is not impacted by this recall and can still be used with alternative control options." If you still have a dial, or are buying a used SmartDrive that comes with one, call the technical support line given in Permobil's recall release, 615-257-2930, or Permobil's main number, 800-736-0925.

The PushTracker watch recalls

The PushTracker E2 and E3 are watches that start and stop the SmartDrive by tap gestures. Both records, initiated on 2023-05-10, give the same reason, and each record says: "When multiple processes are running on the watch's Central Processing Unit (CPU), the application may fail unexpectedly. If this happens, the motor on the power assist device continues to run and the user may not be able to stop the device using tap gestures." The records list 18,905 E2 units and 6,196 E3 units, 25,101 by our sum.

The FDA's page for the E2 record says the affected units were "All units with software versions 1.0.00 to 1.0.04" and that customers were told to "update their software to SmartDrive MX2+ Version 1.1.00" and to stop using the device while waiting for the correction. Both records were still "Open, Classified" on 27 October 2026. If you use a PushTracker, check the software version with your dealer.

The M3 Corpus and M5 Corpus firmware recalls

Two power chair records were posted on 2026-07-24, both "reported retroactively." Z-2795-2026 covers the "Permobil M3 Corpus Power Wheelchair with Heavy Duty Shock", REF 120031, model version 3, 140 units. The record says "The power wheelchair firmware lacks a speed restriction to maintain stability when the seat lift exceeds 50 mm, which may cause the user to fall from the wheelchair or the wheelchair to tip over." The FDA page says it applied to "All Units operating with firmware version 1.26.2", that Permobil notified consignees by email on March 5, 2024, and that the update "will be proactively sent to the impacted wheelchairs within 1 week."

Z-2805-2026 covers the "M5 Corpus Power Wheelchair REF,120032", 715 wheelchairs. The record says "Power Platform firmware is missing specific drive inhibit logic. This issue may allow the chair to drive under restricted conditions, and may create an unstable condition in certain circumstances." The FDA page names "Power Platform firmware versions 1.27 through 1.57" and a technical bulletin sent by email on June 10, 2025. It says "It is important to not use the wheelchair when the firmware update is in process."

If you have an M3 Corpus or M5 Corpus, ask your dealer which firmware version your chair runs and whether the update has been confirmed. The FDA pages for both records give Permobil Customer Experience at (800) 736-0925 for questions.

The older recalls, all terminated

• Z-1278-2012, Permolock C3 docking system for power wheelchairs in vehicles, 147 units: fasteners used between June 3, 2011 and January 31, 2012, the record says, "do not contain the required nylon ring." Terminated 2013-08-13.
• Z-1921-2017, ROHO High Profile and Mid Profile Single Compartment cushions with Sensor Ready Technology, 5,646 units: the record says using the Smart Check tool for a Smart Setup "may adversely affect the setup process resulting in an improper cushion setup." Terminated 2019-05-10.
• Z-0005-2018 and Z-0006-2018, C300 to C500 Corpus II chairs and bases, 5,539 and 146 units: each record says 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." Both terminated 2021-05-04.
• Z-3178-2018, M300 PS and C300 to C500 PS chairs, 3,134 units: the record says "If one or both back support telescoping bars fail the user could fall back leading to a potential injury." Terminated 2021-05-03.

These records concern older models. They matter mainly to someone buying a used chair; the used wheelchair guide explains how to search the FDA database by model before you pay.

How to check a Permobil product for recalls

1. Find the model name, the REF or part number and the serial number on the chair's label, and the firmware version on the joystick display if your dealer shows you where.
2. Search the FDA's medical device recall database by product name, or ask your dealer to check it against the serial number.
3. For SmartDrive controls and watches, check the part numbers in the table above: MX2-3DC, MX2-3DCK and MX2-3DCMC are SpeedControl Dials.
4. Call Permobil on 800-736-0925 if your dealer has closed or does not answer.
5. Report a problem with any medical device to the FDA through MedWatch; Permobil's recall notices give the online form and 800-332-1088 for a paper form.

Only a check of your own serial number and firmware shows whether your unit was in a recall and whether it was corrected. Ask the dealer for written confirmation.

Three traps when you buy Permobil

Trap one: reading the MSRP as your price. The sheets print base prices for a base chair. A Corpus chair's seat functions, seating and electronics are priced separately, and if a payer is involved, the payer's approved amount and your share decide what you pay. Ask for an itemised written quote and the funding route before you sign.

Trap two: reading a code as coverage, or an old sentence as the rule. Permobil prints codes such as K0861, K0884, K0005, E0986 and E2300 on its documents, and its TiLite order forms say HCPCS codes "are for reference purposes only." A Group 4 code such as K0884 is denied by Medicare under LCD L33789, and a power standing feature is non-covered under A52504. In the other direction, Permobil's guide still calls the seat elevator a Medicare "luxury item", while NCD 280.16 now treats it as reasonable and necessary for people using complex rehab power chairs who meet its conditions; a claim can still be denied. Read the CMS files, or ask the supplier to show you the rule they rely on.

Trap three: assuming the warranty starts the day the chair arrives and follows the chair. Permobil's warranties start "seven (7) days after the date Permobil ships the wheelchair to its dealer," cover only the initial purchaser from an authorized Permobil dealer, and give replacement parts 90 days. The TiLite warranty's model list does not name the TiLite Z or the TiLite X. Ask for the warranty document that applies to your exact model, and the date it started.

Three composite scenarios

These are composite scenarios, not individual customers. Each one combines facts and ranges already given in this guide to show how the decision plays out.

Scenario one: a full-time power chair user on Medicare who transfers with a sliding board is assessed for an M3 Corpus with a seat elevator. The base lists at 8,880 dollars MSRP. The therapist writes up the in-home evaluation and the transfer that NCD 280.16 asks for. Before ordering, the user asks the dealer whether they accept assignment, which code they will bill for the seat elevator, and whether any firmware recall applies to the chair being supplied.

Scenario two: a manual chair user with sore shoulders is offered a SmartDrive MX2+ at 7,529 dollars MSRP; a retailer lists it at 6,626 dollars. Their therapist checks that their chair and routes suit power assist. They choose the wired SwitchControl that comes with the system, confirm that no SpeedControl Dial is included, and keep the two-year warranty paperwork.

Scenario three: a family replacing a teenager's worn air cushion finds the same ROHO model at 417 dollars, the MAP figure, at a US retailer. The seating therapist confirms the model and size. At home they set it up by Permobil's own steps, check for 1/2 inch to 1 inch of air under the lowest bony point, and note the cushion's warranty period from the ROHO policy.

Questions to ask the dealer, the clinic and Permobil

• Which MSRP list is this quote based on, and what does each option cost?
• Which codes will you bill, and do you accept Medicare assignment for the whole order?
• Do you employ a RESNA-certified ATP, and will they be at the evaluation and the delivery?
• Which warranty document covers this exact model, and on what date does it start?
• Who services the chair locally, and how long do parts usually take?
• What firmware will the chair ship with, and is any recall update outstanding for it?
• Is +Connect active on this chair, and how do I ask for technical data to be turned off if I want that?
• For a TiLite: which weight limit and frame is on the order, and which warranty applies?
• For a SmartDrive: which controller is included, and is my chair compatible?

Seating, seat functions, cushion choice, standing and power assist are decisions for your physician, your physical or occupational therapist and your seating clinic. Ask your physician for a referral to a seating clinic if nobody has assessed you yet.

Your plan: 10 minutes, today, this week

In 10 minutes: write down your chair's model, REF number, serial number and, for a SmartDrive, the controller you use. Check them against the recall table above.

Today: find your warranty start date. If you are buying, ask the dealer for an itemised quote, the codes they will bill and the warranty document for the exact model.

This week: if a seat elevator, tilt or standing function is part of the plan, ask your therapist and supplier which CMS rule they will rely on, and whether they accept assignment. If your chair is a Power Platform chair, decide whether you want +Connect left on, and call Permobil if not.

Sources and documents

Permobil: the US about, owner, brands, management, careers, contact and financial report pages; the M4 Nexa press release; the MAP pricing page and its four sheets; the legal page and the power chair, TiLite and ROHO warranty documents; the M1, M3 Corpus, F3 Corpus, M5 Corpus, F5 Corpus VS, Explorer Mini, TiLite Z, TiLite Aero T and SmartDrive MX2+ pages with their funding guides, order forms, matrices, manuals and brochure; the Power Wheelchair Digital Guide; the +Connect letter; the providers and support pages; the UK Protection Plan page; and Permobil's ROHO set-up blog post and leaflet. Recalls: openFDA recall records for Permobil, TiLite, Max Mobility and ROHO, and the FDA's saved pages and notices for five of them. Coverage: NCD 280.16 and its decision memo, LCDs L33789 and L33792, articles A52498 and A52504, and Medicare.gov's wheelchair page. Prices: Permobil's sheets and order forms, Sportaid and 1800wheelchair, and our own catalog. Every source is linked in the list at the end of this page.

Related guides on Mobility Atlas: Electric wheelchairs; Standing wheelchairs; Tilt-in-space wheelchairs; Lightweight wheelchairs; Wheelchair cushions; Pediatric wheelchairs; Used wheelchairs.

Method in brief: this is how we compared. We read each Permobil document and each CMS, Medicare.gov and FDA record in the saved text, quoted only from those texts, and took every number from them, from the retailer listings named, or from our catalog. Where two Permobil documents disagree, we give both with their sources. Sums and percentages are our own, computed by script from the saved price sheets and recall records. Recall records are given exactly as stored, as recalls, not as rates or a ranking of brands. We did not test any product.

Prices checked October 2026 on Permobil's price sheets and order forms, Sportaid and 1800wheelchair; prices change, so confirm them with your dealer. Documents checked October 2026: Permobil's pages, warranties and guides, the CMS and Medicare.gov coverage files, and the FDA recall records (openFDA last updated 2026-10-24).

Own a Permobil, TiLite, SmartDrive or ROHO product and want to tell us how the warranty or service went? Send us a note through the enquiry form with the model and what happened.