Finland’s Nokia has launched a recall for millions of phone chargers manufactured for its phones by China’s BYD Electronic Company. According to the company, the chargers’ plastic covers can work loose, exposing internal components of the charger and potentially creating a risk of electric shock or fire. The phone chargers were manufactured between April and October if 2009; Nokia is offering free replacements.
There are currently no known incidents were customers have been injured.
The charger models affected are the AC-3E and AC-3U chargers (manufactured between June 15 and August 9, 2009) and the AC-4U adapter manufactured between April 13 and October 25, 2009. The adapters were sold with Nokia devices and as separate accessories, and were sold in North America as well as other markets. Users can input their charger’s ID number on Nokia’s charger exchange Web site; is a charger is part of the recall, Nokia recommends customers stop using the devices immediately until a free replacement charger arrives. Fulfillment for affected chargers will be handled on a country-by-country basis.
Nokia hasn’t said how many chargers are impacted by the recall; however, London’s Times has reported as many as 14 million chargers might be part of the recall.
The recall is Nokia’s second in recent years related to products manufactured for the company by third parties; in 2007, the company recalled 46 million cell phone batteries that could overheat and pose a risk of injury or fire.
