Skip to main content

CPSC, Apple Announces Recall of AC Adapter for Prior Generation PowerBook Laptops

  • Recalled Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapter
Name of Product:
Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapters
Hazard:

These AC adapters could overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy:
Replace
Recall Date:
July 06, 2001
Units:

About 570,000

Consumer Contact

For more information, contact Apple at (866) 277-2096 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Sunday through Saturday.

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Apple, of Cupertino, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 570,000 AC adapters worldwide that were sold with prior generation PowerBook G3s. These AC adapters could overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Apple received six reports of these adapters overheating. No injuries have been reported.

No Titanium PowerBook G4 or iBook power adapters are part of this recall. The recall includes only AC adapters with a two-pin connector that came with Apple Macintosh PowerBooks or that were sold separately. The small rectangular black AC adapter box has a permanently attached cord on one end that connects to the computer and a detachable two-prong cord on the other end to plug into an AC outlet. It is approximately 4.75 inches long by 2 inches wide. The label located on the side of the adapter reads in part, "Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapter" and "Model Number: M4402."

Electronic and computer stores worldwide and Apple's website sold these AC adapters with PowerBook G3s from May 1998 through March 2000. They also were sold separately for about $69.

Consumers should stop using these AC adapters and contact Apple to receive a free replacement. For more information, contact Apple at (866) 277-2096 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Sunday through Saturday, or go to their website at www.apple.com/adapterexchange/.

Remedy:

Consumers should stop using these AC adapters and contact Apple to receive a free replacement. 

Incidents/Injuries:

Apple received six reports of these adapters overheating. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At:
Electronic and computer stores worldwide and Apple's website sold these AC adapters with PowerBook G3s from May 1998 through March 2000. They also were sold separately for about $69.
Recall number:
01-188

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.

About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. 

For lifesaving information:

Choose Your Recall Emails Get Notified About Each Recall via Email.
Report an unsafe product