PlainRecalls
ModerateActive

CPSC recall · Reported September 2, 2004

CPSC, IBM Announce Recall of AC Adapters for Notebook Computers

The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire and electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Recall #
04208
Affected scope
About 225,000
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
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Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan recalled The recalled 56W AC power adapters were shipped primarily with IBM ThinkPad i Series, 390… - a moderate-severity action.

CPSC, IBM Announce Recall of AC Adapters for Notebook Computers was recalled by Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan in September 2, 2004. Reason: The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire…. Remedy: Consumers should unplug the recalled adapters from the wall outlet immediately and contac…. Verify recall #04208 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire….

Moderate
severity level
September 2, 2004
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04208 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #04208) was formally reported on September 2, 2004. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 225,000.

The documented reason for this recall is: The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire and electrical shock hazard to consumers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should unplug the recalled adapters from the wall outlet immediately and contact IBM for a free replacement unit. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Household Products recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record

50100150200250 20052008201120142017202020232026 115
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 225,000

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

The recalled 56W AC power adapters were shipped primarily with IBM ThinkPad i Series, 390 and 240 Series, and s Series notebook computers. The adapters have three hollow pins at the AC inlet and part number 02K6549 on a label on the top of the unit. The IBM logo appears on top of the unit. Adapters with solid pins are not included in this recall.

Reason for recall

The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire and electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should unplug the recalled adapters from the wall outlet immediately and contact IBM for a free replacement unit.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 04208
Date reported September 2, 2004
Date initiated September 2, 2004
Recalling firm Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan
Affected scope About 225,000
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers should unplug the recalled adapters from the wall outlet immediately and contact IBM for a free replacement unit.

  • Check the recall number (04208) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The recalled 56W AC power adapters were shipped primarily with IBM ThinkPad i Series, 390 and 240 Series, and s Series notebook computers. The adapters have three hollow pins at the AC inlet and part number 02K6549 on a label on the top of the unit. The IBM logo appears on top of the unit. Adapters with solid pins are not included in this recall.. Recalled by Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan. Units affected: About 225,000.
Why was this product recalled?
The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire and electrical shock hazard to consumers.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should unplug the recalled adapters from the wall outlet immediately and contact IBM for a free replacement unit.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on September 2, 2004. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04208.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (04208) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported September 2, 2004. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.