PlainRecalls

Brunton Outdoors Recalls Battery Packs Due to Fire Hazard

Reported: April 19, 2016 Initiated: April 19, 2016 #16148 About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada) units

CPSC recall on April 19, 2016. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada) units are affected. The recall was issued because: The power packs' lithium ion polymer batteries can overheat and catch on fire during charging, posing a fire hazard.. This recall notice is sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #16148) was formally reported on April 19, 2016. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The recalling firm is not specified in the federal record. Federal records indicate About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada) units are affected, a scale large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking.

The documented reason for this recall is: The power packs' lithium ion polymer batteries can overheat and catch on fire during charging, posing a fire hazard. 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 immediately stop using the recalled power packs and contact Brunton for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund. — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 1 were also issued by CPSC. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 10 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada)

Related Recalls

6

1 from same agency

Product Description

This recall involves Brunton's Impel and Impel 2 rechargeable, portable battery packs that are used to charge cell phones, tablets, laptops and other devices. The Impel battery came in a rubberized shell in dark gray with orange or blue and the Impel 2 in light gray with black trim. The battery packs can be plugged into an A/C wall outlet, a 12 volt car charger or an attachable solar panel for recharging. They measure about 7.5 inches long by 7 inches wide by 1 inch thick. The lithium ion polymer battery packs have 16, and 19 volt outputs and a USB port. The Impel model also has a 12 volt output. Brunton is embossed on the top of the battery pack, along with the power button and five LED lights.

Reason for Recall

The power packs' lithium ion polymer batteries can overheat and catch on fire during charging, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power packs and contact Brunton for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund.

Details

Units Affected
About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada)

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 16148
Date reported April 19, 2016
Date initiated April 19, 2016
Recalling firm Not disclosed
Units affected About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada)
Distribution Not disclosed

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

Scale of Impact

About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada) units affected — multi-state distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units)
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) ✓ This recall
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves Brunton's Impel and Impel 2 rechargeable, portable battery packs that are used to charge cell phones, tablets, laptops and other devices. The Impel battery came in a rubberized shell in dark gray with orange or blue and the Impel 2 in light gray with black trim. The battery packs can be plugged into an A/C wall outlet, a 12 volt car charger or an attachable solar panel for recharging. They measure about 7.5 inches long by 7 inches wide by 1 inch thick. The lithium ion polymer battery packs have 16, and 19 volt outputs and a USB port. The Impel model also has a 12 volt output. Brunton is embossed on the top of the battery pack, along with the power button and five LED lights.. Units affected: About 1,050 in the U.S. (in addition, about 40 were sold in Canada).
Why was this product recalled?
The power packs' lithium ion polymer batteries can overheat and catch on fire during charging, posing a fire hazard.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power packs and contact Brunton for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 19, 2016. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 16148.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (16148) 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.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

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Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).