Washington, D.C. — The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a sweeping recall affecting more than 1.1 million Anker power banks due to serious safety concerns. This action follows reports of 19 incidents involving fires and explosions linked to the devices, raising alarms about their lithium-ion batteries.
The recall specifically targets the Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank, model A1263. Retailers including Anker’s website, Amazon, Newegg, and eBay sold the units between June 2016 and December 2022, generally priced at around $27. The defective batteries pose a risk of overheating, which has already resulted in two minor burn injuries and over $60,000 in property damages, according to the CPSC.
Consumers are urged to check the bottom of their power banks for the model number, A1263, and the serial number prefix “SN” to confirm whether their device is affected. The agency emphasizes that this specific model is the only one included in the recall.
Owners of the recalled devices are advised against disposing of them in regular trash. Instead, they should take the batteries to local household hazardous waste centers, where they can be safely handled. This precaution is critical, as lithium batteries require specialized disposal methods.
Anker has made provisions for affected customers to receive a free replacement power bank. To initiate this process, consumers must submit a photograph showcasing their recalled unit, which should clearly display the model number and serial number, along with their name, the date of the photo, and the word “recalled” written on the device in permanent marker. While a purchase receipt is not mandatory, customers must confirm they have disposed of the defective power banks according to safety regulations.
For assistance, Anker provides a toll-free hotline at 1-800-988-7973, available from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday. Additionally, customers may reach out via email or visit Anker’s support website for further instructions and information about the recall process.
As safety remains a top priority for consumers, this recall serves as a critical reminder of the importance of vigilance about electronic device safety, particularly in products that utilize lithium-based batteries.