Additional Anker Models Recalled (Photo courtesy of Anker website)
Anker Innovations expanded its recall of power bank models this week by adding five new models.
The Chinese electronics maker announced the voluntary global recall of additional models after already having issued a voluntary recall in June of models sold on Amazon and other online retailers.
The initial recall stemmed from consumers across the United States reporting some fires and explosions.
On its website, Anker said it had notified the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a regulatory authority, of potential manufacturing issues involving lithium-ion battery cells supplied by a single vendor that were inside five PowerCore models and sold in multiple markets.
“Even if the device appears to function normally, any unit confirmed to be part of this recall should be stopped from use immediately due to the risk of overheating, melting, smoke, or fire,” Anker said.
The additional models under recall are Anker Power Bank (10K, 22.5W)—Model A1257, Anker Power Bank (20,000mAh, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable)—Model A1647, Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000mAh, 7.5W)—Model A1652, Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C and Lightning Cable)—Model A1681, and Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C Cable)—Model A1689.
Consumers who qualify their unit under the recall will receive either a replacement or gift card. Anker urged customers to dispose of the affected unit at a certified facility that accepts recalled lithium-ion batteries because recalled lithium-ion batteries pose a higher risk of fire.
Additional Anker Models Recalled Photo courtesy of Anker website
"Do not discard this recalled lithium-ion battery in the trash, general recycling streams (e.g., street-level or curbside recycling bins), or in used battery drop-off boxes commonly found at retail or home improvement stores," the company said. "These collection points are not equipped to handle recalled lithium-ion products such as power banks."
Company leaders added that it had issued the voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution, even though the likelihood of malfunction is considered minimal.
“This issue was detected through enhanced quality assurance protocols that Anker implemented following a previous recall,” Anker said.
On June 12, the CPSC announced on its website that more than 1.15 million PowerCore 10000 power banks were recalled after Anker had received 19 fire and explosion reports.
"This includes two reports of minor burn injuries not requiring medical attention and 11 reports of property damage totaling over $60,700," the CPSC said.
The models were sold online at Anker, Amazon, Newegg, and Ebay from June 2016 through December 2022 for about $27.
"This issue can cause the battery to overheat, leading to melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards," Anker said in its initial recall about Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks A1263 on its website.
