AC adapters used with notebook personal computers
CPSC Recall #05-004 — October 7, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-004 |
| Recall Date | October 7, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 990,000 |
| Manufacturer | Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan |
| Importer | Dell Inc., of Round Rock, Texas |
| Manufactured In | China and Thailand |
Where It Was Sold
| Dell's website and customer service center sold the computers with adapters from September 1998 through February 2002 for about $1 |
| 500 to about $3 |
| 200. The adapters also were sold separately for between $30 and $70. The advanced port replicators and docking stations sold for between $300 and $600. |
Product
AC adapters used with notebook personal computers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dell Inc., of Round Rock, Texas is voluntarily recalling about 990,000 AC adapters used with notebook personal computers. The adapters can overheat, posing a risk of fire and electrical shock hazards to consumers.Name of product: AC adapters used with notebook personal computersUnits: About 990,000Manufacturer: Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, TaiwanImporter/Distributor: Dell Inc., of Round Rock, TexasHazard: The adapters can overheat, posing a risk of fire and electrical shock hazards to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Dell has received seven reports of incidents of adapters overheating, though no injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled AC adapters were used with Dell Latitude™, Precision™, and Inspiron™ notebook-style personal computers. The notebook computers have the following model numbers, which can be found either screened onto the surface of the computer or printed on a label on the bottom of the computer:- Latitude: CP, CPi, CPiA, CPtC, CPiR, CPxH, CPtV, CS, CSx, CPxJ, CPtS, C500, C510, C600, C610, C800, C810, V700, C-Dock, C-Port.- Inspiron: 2500, 2600, 3700, 3800, 4000, 4100, 4150, 5000, 5000e, 7500, 7550, 8000, 8100, Advanced Port Replicator, Docking Station.- Precision: M40The recalled adapters have the words "DELL" and "P/N 9364U," P/N 7832D" or "P/N 4983D" printed on the back of the unit.Sold through: Dell's website and customer service center sold the computers with adapters from September 1998 through February 2002 for about $1,500 to about $3,200. The adapters also were sold separately for between $30 and $70. The advanced port replicators and docking stations sold for between $300 and $600.Manufactured in: China and ThailandRemedy: Consumers with these adapters should immediately contact Dell to determine if they are included in this recall. Not all adapters listed above are being recalled. Dell will send consumers with recalled adapters a free replacement adapter.Consumer Contact: Consumer should call Dell at (877)-293-1197 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, log on to Dell's website at www.delladapterprogram.com.
Hazard
The adapters can overheat, posing a risk of fire and electrical shock hazards to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Dell has received seven reports of incidents of adapters overheating, though no injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with these adapters should immediately contact Dell to determine if they are included in this recall. Not all adapters listed above are being recalled. Dell will send consumers with recalled adapters a free replacement adapter.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.