INIU Power Bank Lawsuit Alleges Lithium-Ion Charger Fire Caused Severe Property Damage

Complaint cites rising nationwide concerns over lithium-ion battery fires, noting hundreds of incidents that have prompted airlines and aviation authorities to tighten restrictions on portable power banks.

A new class action lawsuit alleges that INIU portable chargers can suffer from a dangerous lithium-ion battery defect that causes them to overheat, catch fire or explode.

The complaint was filed by Gregory Steinsultz in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on February 3, naming INIU International Corp. and Shenzhen Topstar Industry Co. Ltd. as defendants.

The lawsuit comes just a few weeks after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall of certain INIU portable chargers on December 5, 2025. Following reports of overheating, fires and burn injuries caused by the devices, the CPSC recall covered approximately 210,000 INIU power banks sold on Amazon.com.

Although his model was not included in the original recall, Steinsultz argues that the same defect impacts a far broader range of INIU products that remain on the market or in consumers’ possession, despite being excluded from that action.

According to the complaint, Steinsultz purchased an INIU BI-B43 power bank through Amazon in December 2024. On October 18, 2025, the device allegedly erupted into flames while stored inside his vehicle, emitting loud popping noises, fire and toxic smoke, and causing significant property damage. The filing states that firefighters responded to extinguish the blaze.

Steinsultz claims that numerous INIU power bank models share identical internal components, circuitry and lithium-ion battery design, differing only in external appearance. As a result, he alleges that non-recalled models carry the same risk of thermal runaway, which is a dangerous chain reaction that can cause batteries to rapidly overheat, ignite or explode without warning.

The complaint indicates that INIU and its manufacturing partner, Shenzhen Topstar Industry Co., were aware or should have been aware of these risks yet continued to market the products as safe. The lawsuit points to marketing claims touting “multi-layered safety features” and temperature monitoring systems that allegedly failed to prevent the fire that damaged Steinsultz’s vehicle.

“Defendants engaged in fraudulent, unfair, deceptive, misleading, and/or unlawful conduct stemming from their omissions pertaining to the risks of burn, explosion, and fire, affecting the Class Products.”

— Gregory Steinsultz v. INIU International Corp. et al

Steinsultz raises allegations of consumer fraud, failure to warn, design and manufacturing defects, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, unjust enrichment and violations of various Illinois consumer statutes, among other concerns.

He is seeking to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased INIU power banks allegedly impacted by the same defect, as well as damages, injunctive relief and changes to the companies’ marketing and safety disclosures.

Power Bank Safety Concerns

The lawsuit also highlights growing concerns over lithium-ion battery fires nationwide, citing hundreds of documented incidents involving consumer electronics, vehicles and even aircraft cabins, noting that both airlines and aviation authorities have tightened restrictions on portable chargers due to fire risks, including bans on certain damaged or recalled power banks.

Many of these products are also available from major retailers. For example, more than 480,000 Anker power banks sold on Amazon and elsewhere were recalled in September 2025, following at least 33 reports of fires or explosions, including four burn injuries.

Earlier that year, Anker also issued a recall for its PowerCore power banks after receiving 19 reports of devices catching fire or exploding, which resulted in 11 instances of property damage totaling more than $60,000.

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