Nokia initiates shocking charger recall program (update: affects 14 million)
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Nov 9th 2009 4:30AM
posted Nov 9th 2009 4:30AM
"We have determined that the plastic covers of the affected chargers could come loose and separate, exposing the charger's internal components and potentially posing an electric shock hazard if certain internal components are touched while the charger is plugged into a live socket."The chargers affected are models AC-3E and AC-3U, manufactured between June 15 and August 9, 2009, and model AC-4U, manufactured between April 13 and October 25, 2009. Fortunately, Nokia provides a website that removes all the guesswork from obtaining your free replacement.
Update: Gulp, looks like we're talking about 14 million defective chargers.
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 9, 2009
Nokia initiates charger exchange program
Espoo, Finland - Nokia today initiated a charger exchange program, in which consumers owning certain Nokia-branded chargers manufactured by a third-party supplier are recommended to exchange these chargers for free replacements.
During a routine quality control process, Nokia identified a potential product quality issue with certain chargers manufactured by one of its third-party suppliers. The plastic covers of the affected chargers could come loose and separate, exposing the charger's internal components and potentially posing an electrical shock hazard if certain internal components are touched while the charger is plugged into a live socket. Nokia is not aware of any incidents or injuries related to these chargers.
Only a limited number of chargers of certain model types manufactured by a single third-party supplier during a specific time period are within the scope of the exchange program. They are the AC-3E and AC-3U models, manufactured between June 15, 2009 and August 9, 2009; and the AC-4U model, manufactured between April 13, 2009 and October 25, 2009.
For more information, including how consumers can check to see if their chargers are part of this exchange program, Nokia has established a website. Consumers are asked to visit http://chargerexchange.nokia.com or their local Nokia website.
Nokia recommends consumers with chargers within the scope of this exchange program to stop using the charger and exchange it for a free replacement.
Nokia initiates charger exchange program
Espoo, Finland - Nokia today initiated a charger exchange program, in which consumers owning certain Nokia-branded chargers manufactured by a third-party supplier are recommended to exchange these chargers for free replacements.
During a routine quality control process, Nokia identified a potential product quality issue with certain chargers manufactured by one of its third-party suppliers. The plastic covers of the affected chargers could come loose and separate, exposing the charger's internal components and potentially posing an electrical shock hazard if certain internal components are touched while the charger is plugged into a live socket. Nokia is not aware of any incidents or injuries related to these chargers.
Only a limited number of chargers of certain model types manufactured by a single third-party supplier during a specific time period are within the scope of the exchange program. They are the AC-3E and AC-3U models, manufactured between June 15, 2009 and August 9, 2009; and the AC-4U model, manufactured between April 13, 2009 and October 25, 2009.
For more information, including how consumers can check to see if their chargers are part of this exchange program, Nokia has established a website. Consumers are asked to visit http://chargerexchange.nokia.com or their local Nokia website.
Nokia recommends consumers with chargers within the scope of this exchange program to stop using the charger and exchange it for a free replacement.
wow, when will the battery issues stop in this crazy world of tech...
Well stuff like this is rare and would take more time/money to ensure any given product is safe.They more or less go by the expected value, that is it's more profitable to take a risk on the off-chance that a few people get zapped than it is to recall the product when something like this happens.
Safety first should be taken seriously by companies. But it isn't.
Wow getting tired of that Espoo reference in almost every single Nokia thread!
Meh.
It's the same way they use "cupertino" in Apple threads, "redmond" for Microsoft, and "KIRF" in China... wait...
ahah
he said "Poo"
:D
So they are saying that some charger covers could become loose, so that the internals get exposed, so that you, if you are actually that stupid, could touch them, while it is plugged in.
Of course stuff like this shouldnt happen, but a recall? As far as i understand the chargers work perfectly, no need to produce more waste. Just send out some nokia brandend duct tape, and be done with it.
qwert
A recall is cheaper than the lawsuits/Bad press.
Especially as the costs will be eatenby the chinese subcontractor....
I don't care if the charger works! I still don't like to handle defective products with a shock hazard, and they shouldn't have been made where the cover comes off so easily! You shouldn't have to be extra careful when handling a charger. You expect a charger to be reasonably safe.
I think its better to recall a lot of chargers, than pay millions in damages to each individual who's charger fell apart and got an electrical shock.
Similar to what apple does, pay the victims of exploding ipods and iphones to STFU, instead of seeing the real problem.
exactly - this 'defect' was probably found by some consumer rights 'activists' whose sole existence is based on breaking things and filing class action lawsuits.
It's ridiculous. I'll just keep my charger. But someone email me when we decide to sue IKEA because I can bend back the middle tines on one of their forks, and then I could stick it in a wall socket.
'Shocking' charger recall program... I see what you did there Mr Ricker.
I agree!!!
Nokia sponsors Engadget shows and Engadget in return Engadget leaving no stone unturned to damage its reputation.
Nokia's current recall program ensures that it won't be charged in court for wattever reason.
I considered adding my own puns but I expect much resistance from the users.
Don't be phased, your reverse bias can be overcome. You need not limit yourself to the capacities of the non conducive users.
Wow. We've realized that the back of your CRT TV might come off when you remove it from the table, exposing you to a 10000volt coil. Please return it.
14 million appears to be the magic number. Microsoft similarly recalled 14 million transformers for the original Xbox due to a fire hazard posed by a design fault. Troubling, since there were only 24 million of the console.
LOL! This isn't gonna help Nokia's economy
Since the third-party manufacturer, BYE, that actually made the charges is apparently picking up the tab, it probably won't hurt Nokia's economy much either.
So true, Warren Buffett is picking up the tab, but then again, BYD is probably the world's largest battery and charger supplier, and makes millions of charges every month, so 14 million won't even make a dent. Their stock, on the other hand, may look like Garmin's soon.
I live in the country of Nokia, have a Nokian passport, and can assure you our economy is weathering the recession well.
Crap... I broke the connector on one of mine and replaced it with a USB plug... not sure if they will still take it back. It's an AC-4U.
how to get replacement?
When on the internet speak internetese.
"how do I got replacement?"
The manufacturer of the charger BYD is a China investment of Warren Buffett. what a shocker...
And they produce cars.
At least Nokia is proactive about recalling the charger because of a "possibility" to do harm. Unlike the other fruit company who insists that the possibility of exploding devices is nonexistent.
Nokia : electrocuting people
Nokia: Connecting people (to the mains)