Anker Power Bank Explosion Lawsuit Alleges Thermal Runaway Caused Severe Burns

Lawsuit follows a series of portable charger recalls, including last year’s removal of more than 1.1 million Anker power banks from the market over fire and burn injury risks.

A California man has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging that a defective Anker portable power bank sold at Target exploded while in his pocket, causing serious burns and property damage.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Hector Cabrera in the Superior Court of the State of California on August 3, naming Anker Innovations Limited, Power Mobile Life LLC, Fantasia Trading LLC and Target Corporation as the defendants.

According to the lawsuit, a defectively designed and manufactured lithium-ion battery caused the power bank to overheat and enter thermal runaway. The resulting fire ignited Cabrera’s clothing and left him with severe burn injuries.

Portable Charger Dangers

Portable power banks have become a popular way for consumers to keep smartphones and other electronic devices charged on the go. Most models are powered by lithium-ion battery cells, which can store substantial amounts of energy in a small package.

However, if a lithium-ion battery has design or manufacturing defects, poor quality components or insufficient safety features, it can overheat, experience a short circuit or enter thermal runaway, which increases the risk of fires and explosions.

Federal safety officials have issued several recalls and warnings in recent years involving portable chargers and power banks. Last year, more than 1.1 million Anker power banks sold on Amazon were recalled after the company received at least 19 reports of the devices catching fire or exploding, resulting in two burn injuries and 11 reports of property damage.

In March, a separate lawsuit was filed against Amazon alleging that a defective Aukey portable power bank malfunctioned without warning, igniting a residential fire that caused more than $2 million in property damage and other losses.

Anker Power Bank Fire Allegations

According to this recently filed lawsuit, Cabrera was carrying an Anker MagGo Power Bank, Model No. A1652, that had been purchased from Target, when the device allegedly exploded without warning on January 17, 2025.

The complaint states Cabrera attempted to extinguish the flames on his clothing by rolling on the floor before running to a shower after the fire spread to nearby carpeting. He alleges the incident resulted in severe burn injuries and more than $35,000 in damages.

At the center of the lawsuit are allegations that the power bank was defectively designed and lacked adequate safety features to prevent overheating and internal failures. The defendants are also accused of failing to provide sufficient warnings about the alleged risks of overheating, thermal runaway and explosion.

“Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that the Power Bank lacked adequate warnings regarding its defective design and manufacture and that its defects created a substantial and foreseeable risk that when used in a foreseeable manner it would enter thermal runaway and explode.”

— Hector Cabrera v. Anker Innovations Limited et al.

The lawsuit alleges that Anker marketed the power bank as featuring advanced safety technology designed to prevent overheating and thermal runaway. However, Cabrera claims the lithium-ion battery lacked critical safeguards, including adequate cell insulation, thermal barriers, pressure vents, current-limiting devices and a battery management system capable of preventing dangerous temperature increases.

According to the complaint, Anker later recalled certain power banks over alleged design defects after Cabrera’s device exploded.

The lawsuit presents claims of negligence and strict product liability, seeking economic and non-economic damages, prejudgment interest, legal costs and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

Sign up for more legal news that could affect you or your family.