Sony Recalls About 3.6 Million PS2 Adapters
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) disclosed Tues. it voluntarily began a voluntary worldwide recall of 3.6 million PS2 AC adapters. The recall came after Sony realized the units -- shipped with the slim-line version of its console since Oct. 2004 -- might overheat, a potential safety risk. Free replacement adapters are being offered.
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SCE America (SCEA) said some 960,000 adapters were covered by the replacement program in Canada and the U.S., where “to date, there have been 38 reports of overheating AC adapters, including 4 reports of minor property damage, 2 reports of minor burns and one report of a minor static shock.” There were 19 reports of melting among 843,000 adopters shipped in the U.S., the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said, adding that the adapters are made in China. SCEA said all affected adapters came with PS2 consoles bearing model numbers SCPH 70011 and SCPH 70012. The adapters’ serial numbers start with “F3” and include date codes 2004.08, 2004.09, 2004:10, 2004:11 and 2004.12.
It wasn’t clear at deadline what the recall would cost Sony; “I do not have information on the estimated cost of the program,” an SCEA spokesman said. “The safety of our customers is our top priority and we are conducting this voluntary recall as part of our commitment to product safety,” he said. “Our responsibility to notify our consumers when we believe that one of our products may pose a possible safety risk.” Also murky: the recall’s potential impact on Sony’s ability to ship PS2 consoles as planned during the rest of this year. CPSC said PS2 consoles including the adapters in question were sold from Oct. 2004 through last month.
N. American consumers who opt to replace adapters can call SCEA customer service (888-780-7690) or access customer support online (www.us.playstation.com). SCEA said consumers should “carefully unplug the recalled adapters from the wall outlet and allow to cool before handling.”
SCE Europe (SCEE) said adapters made Aug. 2004-Dec. 2004 and included with slim-line PS2 consoles model numbers SCPH 7002, 7003 and 7004 were affected in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. A published report said some 2.3 million adapters are being recalled in Europe and 60,000 more in Japan.
Rival Microsoft faced a similar problem in Feb., when it recalled 14.1 million Xbox power cords due to a risk of fire (CED Feb 18 p4). That recall affected 70% of the platform’s installed base of more than 20 million at that point although Microsoft said fewer than one in 10,000 console owners had experienced the “rare electrical component failures” that prompted the action.