Anker Battery Bank Recall: Difference between revisions
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was a stub with placeholder sections and typos. rewrote to cover all four recalls (2023-2025), root cause from chinese regulatory filing, both lawsuits with correct counts, and tos assumption of risk clause. fixed wrong hall complaint claims (no breach of warranty), updated aggregate incident counts to 90/9, sourced multiprotect claim to complaint, removed two unsourced consumer response claims |
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|description=Anker recalled over 1.68 million power banks across four CPSC recalls for fire and explosion hazards, causing 90+ incidents and 9+ burn injuries. | |||
== | }} | ||
{{ | {{IncidentCargo | ||
|Company=Anker | |||
|StartDate=2023-03-09 | |||
|EndDate= | |||
|Status=Active | |||
|ProductLine= | |||
|Product= | |||
|ArticleType=Product | |||
|Type=Defective, Poor Quality, Safety | |||
|Description=Over 1.68M Anker power banks recalled for fire/explosion risk; 90+ incidents, 9+ burn injuries across four recalls, no cash refund on largest recall | |||
}} | |||
'''Anker Battery Bank Recall''' covers four U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls of [[Anker]] portable power banks between March 2023 and September 2025, totaling over 1,683,000 units pulled from the market for fire and explosion hazards.<ref name="cpsc-25-338">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/More-than-One-Million-Anker-Power-Banks-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-Anker-Innovations|title=More than One Million Anker Power Banks Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Manufactured by Anker Innovations|date=2025-06-12|website=CPSC.gov|access-date=2026-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729123925/https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/More-than-One-Million-Anker-Power-Banks-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-Anker-Innovations|archive-date=2025-07-29|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cpsc-25-466">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Anker-Power-Banks-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-Anker-Innovations-1|title=Anker Power Banks Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Manufactured by Anker Innovations|date=2025-09-18|website=CPSC.gov|access-date=2026-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918175224/https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Anker-Power-Banks-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-Anker-Innovations-1|archive-date=2025-09-18|url-status=live}}</ref> The CPSC documented 90 incidents of batteries overheating, catching fire, or exploding across the four recalls, resulting in at least 9 burn injuries and over $60,700 in documented property damage.<ref name="cpsc-25-338" /><ref name="cpsc-23-147" /><ref name="cpsc-25-011" /><ref name="cpsc-25-466" /> Two class-action lawsuits filed in June and July 2025 allege that Anker's recall remedies are inadequate and that the company's safety marketing was false.<ref name="tca-two-lawsuits">{{Cite web|url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/two-class-actions-allege-anker-power-bank-recall-is-inadequate/|title=Two class actions allege Anker power bank recall is inadequate|website=Top Class Actions|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> | |||
== | == Background == | ||
Anker Innovations Limited, a Chinese electronics company, sells portable electronics in the U.S. through subsidiaries Fantasia Trading LLC (Ontario, California) and Power Mobile Life LLC (Bellevue, Washington).<ref name="hall-complaint">{{Cite web|url=https://www.classaction.org/media/hall-v-fantasia-trading-llc-et-al-complaint.pdf|title=Hall v. Fantasia Trading LLC et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-05505, Complaint|date=2025-07-02|website=classaction.org|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> The company markets its power banks with a proprietary "MultiProtect" safety system, which it describes as providing multiple layers of protection including short-circuit protection, overcharge protection, and temperature control.<ref name="hall-complaint" /> Anker power banks sold at a premium over generic alternatives; the Hall complaint notes consumers paid $25.99 for Anker products compared to $14.99 for unbranded equivalents, based on Anker's safety claims.<ref name="hall-complaint" /> | |||
=== | == Recall history == | ||
=== 2023: Anker 535 PowerCore 20K (A1366) === | |||
== | The first recall (CPSC 23-147) was announced on March 9, 2023. The CPSC and Fantasia Trading recalled approximately 42,000 units of the Anker 535 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K), model A1366, a $70 device marketed for laptop charging.<ref name="cpsc-23-147">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Fantasia-Trading-Recalls-Anker-Power-Banks-Due-to-Fire-Hazard|title=Fantasia Trading Recalls Anker Power Banks Due to Fire Hazard|date=2023-03-09|website=CPSC.gov|access-date=2026-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310015318/https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Fantasia-Trading-Recalls-Anker-Power-Banks-Due-to-Fire-Hazard|archive-date=2023-03-10|url-status=live}}</ref> Anker had received 10 reports of the power banks overheating, including 1 minor injury. Consumers received full refunds.<ref name="cpsc-23-147" /> | ||
=== | === 2024: A1642, A1647, A1652 === | ||
=== | On October 17, 2024, the CPSC announced recall 25-011 covering approximately 2,100 units of three models manufactured between January 3, 2024, and September 17, 2024:<ref name="cpsc-25-011">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Anker-Power-Banks-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-Anker-Innovations|title=Anker Power Banks Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Manufactured by Anker Innovations|date=2024-10-17|website=CPSC.gov|access-date=2026-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241103064736/https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Anker-Power-Banks-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-Anker-Innovations|archive-date=2024-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
* Anker 334 MagGo Battery (PowerCore 10K), Model A1642 | |||
* Anker Power Bank (20,000mAh, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable), Model A1647 | |||
* Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000mAh, 7.5W, Stand), Model A1652 | |||
The CPSC documented 28 incidents of batteries overheating, exploding, or catching fire. Two consumers suffered first- and second-degree burns to their hands.<ref name="cpsc-25-011" /> The remedy was a free replacement unit.<ref name="anker-2024-recall">{{Cite web|url=https://www.anker.com/a1642-a1647-a1652-recall|title=Anker Innovations Recalls A1642/A1647/A1652|website=anker.com|access-date=2025-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250722184037/https://www.anker.com/a1642-a1647-a1652-recall|archive-date=2025-07-22|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== | === June 2025: PowerCore 10000 (A1263) === | ||
The largest single recall (CPSC 25-338), announced June 12, 2025, covered approximately 1,158,000 units of the Anker PowerCore 10000, model A1263.<ref name="cpsc-25-338" /> These units were manufactured between January 2016 and October 2019 and sold from June 2016 through December 2022 at approximately $27 per unit.<ref name="cnet">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/anker-recalls-powercore-10000-power-banks-for-burning-or-exploding-learn-how-to-get-a-free-replacement/|title=Anker Recalls PowerCore 10000 Power Banks for Fires and Explosions. Get a Free Replacement|first=Omar|last=Gallaga|date=2025-06-13|work=CNET|access-date=2025-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614124735/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/anker-recalls-powercore-10000-power-banks-for-burning-or-exploding-learn-how-to-get-a-free-replacement/|archive-date=2025-06-14|url-status=live}}</ref> The CPSC received 19 reports of overheating, fire, or explosion. Two consumers reported minor burn injuries, and 11 incidents caused property damage totaling over $60,700.<ref name="cpsc-25-338" /> | |||
Anker did not offer cash refunds for this recall. Consumers could choose between a free replacement power bank or a $30 gift card valid only at Anker's online store.<ref name="classaction-org" /> The gap between the A1263's manufacture date (as early as January 2016) and the June 2025 recall means some units were in consumers' hands for over 9 years before the hazard was formally addressed.<ref name="cbsnews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anker-powercore-power-bank-recall-lithium-ion-batteries/|title=Anker recalls more than 1.1 million power banks after some users report fires|website=CBS News|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> | |||
=== September 2025: expanded recall === | |||
On September 18, 2025, the CPSC announced recall 25-466 as a Fast Track Recall covering approximately 481,000 units across five models: A1647, A1652, A1257, A1681, and A1689.<ref name="cpsc-25-466" /> These units sold between August 2023 and June 2025 at prices ranging from $30 to $50 through Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and other retailers.<ref name="schiffman">{{Cite web|url=https://schiffmanfirm.com/product-recalls/anker-power-banks-a1647-a1652-a1257-a1681-a1689/|title=Anker A1647, A1652, A1257, A1681 and A1689 Power Banks Recalled|website=Schiffman Firm|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> The CPSC documented 33 incidents of fire or explosion, 4 burn injuries, and at least one instance of "substantial property damage."<ref name="cpsc-25-466" /> | |||
Unlike the A1263 recall, this recall offered consumers a full cash refund or an Anker gift card.<ref name="cpsc-25-466" /> | |||
== Root cause == | |||
A translated Anker recall notice dated June 20, 2025, approved by China's Hunan Provincial Market Supervision and Administration Department, identified the defect: "Some batches of industry-standard batteries supplied to Anker contained unapproved raw-material changes. This could lead to insulation failure of the diaphragm in a small number of products after long-term cyclic use, posing overheating or combustion hazards."<ref name="hall-complaint" /> Anker stated it terminated cooperation with the supplier and switched to other battery-cell vendors.<ref name="anker-rc2506">{{Cite web|url=https://www.anker.com/rc2506|title=Anker Innovations Initiates Global Voluntary Recall for Selected Power Banks|website=anker.com|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> | |||
The defect traces to a single third-party vendor that supplied lithium-ion cells across multiple Anker product lines. Anker claims its battery testing investments in 2024 exceeded $2 million, including unannounced factory inspections and X-ray scans of incoming cells.<ref name="anker-battery-safety">{{Cite web|url=https://www.anker.com/blogs/chargers/anker-battery-safety|title=Anker Battery Safety: Latest Initiatives and Key Advantages|website=anker.com|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> | |||
== Anker's response == | |||
=== Recall remedies === | |||
The four recalls offered different remedies. The 2023 A1366 recall provided full cash refunds.<ref name="cpsc-23-147" /> The 2024 recall offered free replacement units.<ref name="anker-2024-recall" /> The June 2025 A1263 recall, covering the largest number of units (1,158,000), offered only a replacement power bank or a $30 Anker gift card; no cash refund option was available.<ref name="classaction-org" /> The September 2025 recall restored the cash refund option alongside a gift card alternative.<ref name="cpsc-25-466" /> | |||
The class-action lawsuits allege the A1263 remedy is inadequate because it forces consumers to accept either a replacement product from a company whose products have caught fire, or a store credit that can only be spent on more Anker products.<ref name="classaction-org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.classaction.org/news/anker-innovations-facing-class-action-lawsuit-after-2025-power-bank-recall|title=Anker Innovations Facing Class Action Lawsuit After 2025 Power Bank Recall|date=2025-07-14|website=classaction.org|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> | |||
=== Terms of service === | |||
Anker's Terms of Service include an "Assumption of Risk" clause in Section 7:<blockquote>You knowingly and freely assume all risk when using Anker's Services. '''You, on behalf of yourself, your personal representatives, and your heirs, voluntarily agree to release,''' waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend, and indemnify Anker and its owners, officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, consultants, representatives, sublicensees, successors, assigns, parents, subsidiaries, and related entities, including but not limited to Anker Innovations Limited, Fantasia Trading LLC, Shenzhen Oceanwing Smart Innovations Technology Co., Ltd and Anker Technology (UK) Ltd. (collectively, the "Anker Companies") '''from any and all claims, actions, or losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, emotional distress, loss of privacy, or other damages or harm, whether to you or third parties, that may result from your use of Anker's Services.'''<ref name="anker-tos">{{Cite web|url=https://www.anker.com/policies/terms-of-service|title=Anker-EN terms of service|date=2025-06-30|website=anker.com|access-date=2025-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250722194230/https://www.anker.com/policies/terms-of-service|archive-date=2025-07-22|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
Such clauses are generally unenforceable against [[strict product liability]] claims involving manufacturing defects in the United States. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, limiting liability for personal injury in consumer goods is prima facie unconscionable. The "assumption of risk" defense requires that the plaintiff knew of the specific danger before exposure; a consumer purchasing a power bank does not assume the risk of a hidden manufacturing defect that causes the device to catch fire.<ref name="hall-complaint" /> | |||
== Lawsuit == | |||
=== Claims === | |||
Two class-action lawsuits were filed against Fantasia Trading LLC and affiliated Anker entities: | |||
* '''''Light v. Fantasia Trading LLC''''', Case No. 5:25-cv-01520 (C.D. Cal., filed June 19, 2025), brought by plaintiff Jerry Light, alleging breach of contract, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and negligent misrepresentation.<ref name="tca-two-lawsuits" /> | |||
* '''''Hall v. Fantasia Trading LLC''''', Case No. 1:25-cv-05505 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 2, 2025), brought by plaintiff Christopher Hall, alleging violations of New York General Business Law Sections 349 and 350 (deceptive acts and false advertising) and unjust enrichment. The aggregate amount in controversy exceeds $5 million.<ref name="hall-complaint" /> | |||
Both lawsuits allege that Anker marketed its power banks as safer than competitors through its "MultiProtect" safety branding, that consumers paid a premium based on those safety claims, and that Anker knew or should have known about the defects given three prior recalls in two years.<ref name="classaction-org" /> | |||
=== Outcome === | |||
Both lawsuits remain pending as of March 2026. No settlements or rulings have been issued.<ref name="tca-two-lawsuits" /> | |||
== Consumer response == | |||
Consumers reported multiple problems with the recall process. The CPSC required consumers to write "RECALLED" and the date on the device in permanent marker and photograph it as proof of possession.<ref name="anker-a1263-recall">{{Cite web|url=https://www.anker.com/a1263-recall|title=Anker Innovations Recalls Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank (Model: A1263)|website=anker.com|access-date=2026-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213125926/https://www.anker.com/a1263-recall|archive-date=2026-02-13|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Because A1263 units date back to 2016, many consumers found the serial numbers on the bottom of the device had worn off from years of use, making recall verification difficult.<ref name="cnet" /> | |||
Disposal adds a further burden. Defective [[lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]] cannot be placed in household trash or standard retail recycling bins. Consumers must locate municipal Household Hazardous Waste collection centers to dispose of the recalled units, transferring the logistical cost of a manufacturing defect to the end user.<ref name="cnet" /><ref name="pcworld">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2915073/ankers-power-bank-recall-is-now-supported-by-the-government.html|title=Anker's power bank recall is now backed by the government|website=PCWorld|access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref> | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Anker]] | |||
[[Category:Product Safety]] | |||