Targus Universal Wall Power Adapters for Laptops
CPSC Recall #10-214 — April 29, 2010
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 10-214 |
| Recall Date | April 29, 2010 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 507,000 |
| Manufacturer | Comarco Inc. of, Lake Forest, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| WalMart |
| Best Buy |
| Office Depot |
| Staples |
| Amazon.com and other retailers nationwide from June 2009 through March 2010 for between $89 and 109 for adapters for wall outlets only and for between $129 and $149 for adapters for both wall outlets and car/airplane use. |
Product
Targus Universal Wall Power Adapters for Laptops
Description
This recall involves the Targus Universal Wall Power Adapters for Laptops. Only models with the following SKU numbers are affected by this recall: APA23US-02, APA23US-03, APA23US-04, APA63US-03, APA63US-04, APM62US-03 and APM62US-04. The SKU number can be found on the underside of the adapter unit.
Hazard
Faulty wiring can cause the connector tips to heat and melt the plastic encasing the connector tips, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received 518 incidents of the connector tips heating, 53 of which resulted in the melting of the plastic casings. Eight consumers have reported a finger tip or hand burn. No reports of medical attention were received.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled adapter and contact Comarco to receive instructions on returning the unit for a free refurbished replacement.
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.