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CPSC recall · Reported November 19, 2014

Olympus Recalls Digital Audio Recorders Due to Burn Hazard

The recalled recorders can overheat when charging, posing a burn hazard to consumers and property.

Recall #
15029
Affected scope
About 500
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
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Olympus Imaging America Inc., of Center Valley, Pa. recalled This recall involves Olympus digital audio recorders with model number DS-5500. The recor… - a moderate-severity action.

Olympus Recalls Digital Audio Recorders Due to Burn Hazard was recalled by Olympus Imaging America Inc., of Center Valley, Pa. in November 19, 2014. Reason: The recalled recorders can overheat when charging, posing a burn hazard to consumers and property.. Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recorders immediately and contact Olympus, or the retaile…. Verify recall #15029 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Olympus Imaging America Inc., of Center Valley, Pa. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The recalled recorders can overheat when charging, posing a burn hazard to consumers and property..

Moderate
severity level
November 19, 2014
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #15029 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #15029) was formally reported on November 19, 2014. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Olympus Imaging America Inc., of Center Valley, Pa. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 500.

The documented reason for this recall is: The recalled recorders can overheat when charging, posing a burn hazard to consumers and property. 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 stop using the recorders immediately and contact Olympus, or the retailer where the recorder was purchased, to receive a full refund, free repair or a free replacement recorder. - 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 500

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

This recall involves Olympus digital audio recorders with model number DS-5500. The recorders are black, measure about 4.5 inches tall by 1.9 inches wide by .67 inches thick. "Olympus" and "Digital Voice Recorder DS-5500" are printed on the front of the recorder. The recorder has three smart buttons, slide switches, edit functions, 2 GB of memory, an external SD card slot and a 1.7-inch LCD display on the front.

Reason for recall

The recalled recorders can overheat when charging, posing a burn hazard to consumers and property.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should stop using the recorders immediately and contact Olympus, or the retailer where the recorder was purchased, to receive a full refund, free repair or a free replacement recorder.

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 15029
Date reported November 19, 2014
Date initiated November 19, 2014
Recalling firm Olympus Imaging America Inc., of Center Valley, Pa.
Affected scope About 500
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 stop using the recorders immediately and contact Olympus, or the retailer where the recorder was purchased, to r…

  • Check the recall number (15029) 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?
This recall involves Olympus digital audio recorders with model number DS-5500. The recorders are black, measure about 4.5 inches tall by 1.9 inches wide by .67 inches thick. "Olympus" and "Digital Voice Recorder DS-5500" are printed on the front of the recorder. The recorder has three smart buttons, slide switches, edit functions, 2 GB of memory, an external SD card slot and a 1.7-inch LCD display on the front.. Recalled by Olympus Imaging America Inc., of Center Valley, Pa.. Units affected: About 500.
Why was this product recalled?
The recalled recorders can overheat when charging, posing a burn hazard to consumers and property.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should stop using the recorders immediately and contact Olympus, or the retailer where the recorder was purchased, to receive a full refund, free repair or a free replacement recorder.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on November 19, 2014. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 15029.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (15029) 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.

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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 November 19, 2014. 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.