Targus Universal Laptop Power Adapter Recall: Risk of Overheating and Burns
Comarco, Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a recall for more than half a million universal wall power adapters for laptops sold under the Targus brand name. Hundreds of reports have been received of problems where the power adapters overheat, which could cause melting of the plastic casing and burns for consumers.
The Targus power adapter recall applies to about 507,000 universal laptop cords sold between June 2009 and March 2010 at WalMart, Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, Amazon.com and other retailers throughout the United States.
According to the U.S. CPSC, faulty wiring in the Targus Universal Wall Power Adapters for Laptops can cause the connector tips to heat and melt the plastic encasing the connector tips.
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Learn MoreAt least 518 reports of problems with the connector tips heating have been received by the manufacturer, including at least 53 cases where the plastic casing melted. Eight consumers have suffered burns to their hand or finger tips, but none of the personal injury reports have involved medical treatment.
The recalled Targus laptop power adaptors contain the following SKU numbers on the underside of the unit: APA23US-02, APA23US-03, APA23US-04, APA63US-03, APA63US-04, APM62US-03 and APM62US-04.
Consumers have been urged to immediately stop using the Targus universal wall power adapters and to contact Comarco, Inc. at 1-877-781-5186 to receive instructions on returning the unit for a free refurbished replacement without the defect.
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8 Comments
AmandaMay 9, 2011 at 5:29 pm
I was using my laptop one day and smelled melted wire, but didn't know where it was coming from. A few days later, I was using my computer again, and the power was not working. I started messing with the jack , and it would not plug in right. I turned my computer over, and the jack and the adapter had completly melted. My laptop was still under warranty, and I was told by targus that it was not th[Show More]I was using my laptop one day and smelled melted wire, but didn't know where it was coming from. A few days later, I was using my computer again, and the power was not working. I started messing with the jack , and it would not plug in right. I turned my computer over, and the jack and the adapter had completly melted. My laptop was still under warranty, and I was told by targus that it was not their fault, and they had no recalls. I got it fixed under the laptop warranty. My brand was acer.
phyllisMarch 4, 2011 at 8:36 pm
I used the adapter for about 2 weeks and it was not charging my battery didn't notice overheating until I went to unplug it and it would not come out. Called targus they said it was on recall now the company says its not part of the recall but the adapter dosen't work at all good way to get out of sending new adapters
mauriceFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:23 am
I had the product for about 11 months and about the last 30+ days my gaming laptop restarts when i am gaming some times it last for 15min. Or up to one hour the targus product does get very hot when gaming and has a burning smell that's my one only problem with the product.
HugoJanuary 19, 2011 at 12:21 am
I have the same my HP laptop burned r they replacing the laptops
MarieSeptember 20, 2010 at 4:47 am
my power cord broke within a week of me getting it and had my computer overheating like every day so i need to know how to fix this problem like i have a burnt on my leg from the power adapter tip. thanks
BruceJuly 12, 2010 at 2:16 am
I had the adapter melt in my HP Pavilion. HP replaced the connector under warranty because it was a known problem with their motherboards. So it does shock me that someone convinced Targus that their adapters are the problem.
PamJune 18, 2010 at 4:06 am
I had the same things happen to me. I was told that my laptop overheated and I had an targas adapter plugged into my computer as well.
CarineJune 2, 2010 at 6:38 pm
I just wanted to know if I had case against targus because the tip of the adapter was stock in my computer and now they are telling me that it's my computer's fault that it overheated. Please let me know if there are current pending cases against Targus. thank you