The meters are made by J & J's LifeScan unit, which will issue a free replacement meter to all patients.
The company says the meters shut down when a patient's blood sugar hits 1,024 milligrams per deciliter. That's an extremely high level requiring immediate medical attention.
Johnson & Johnson, based in New Brunswick, N.J., said patients with one of the meters should contact LifeScan's customer service at 800-717-0276 to arrange for a replacement meter or ask questions.
The recall is J & J's latest in a string of about three dozen since 2009.
