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Sony Recalls AC Adapters

Oct 29, 2009 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

About 69,000 VAIO Computer AC Adapters have been recalled over an electrical shock hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. Sony Electronics Inc. is located in San Diego, California.

The insulation inside the recalled VAIO Computer AC Adapter can fail over time, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers. To date, Sony has received four reports of adapters short circuiting. No incidents occurred in the United States; no injuries have been reported.

The recalled AC adapter model is the Sony VGP-AC19V17, which was supplied for use with the following Sony products types and product models:

•     Product Type: All-in-one VAIO Desktop Computers; Product Model: VGC-LT series and VGC-JS2 series
•     Product Type: VAIO Docking Stations; Product Model: VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1

The recalled Sony VAIO Computer AC Adapters was sold at the SonyStyle stores and Website, authorized electronics retailers, and authorized business-to-business dealers nationwide from September 2005 through October 2009 for between $900 and $3300 for desktop computers and $250 and $300 for docking stations.

The recalled Sony VAIO Computer AC Adapters were manufactured in China. Of note, defective imports from China have been making headlines in recent years; this recall of defective Sony VAIO Computer AC Adapters is another of many such issues on which we have been writing.

Also making news is the ongoing Chinese drywall disaster involving imports from that country. And, in 2008, nearly 80 percent of all product recalls in the United States involved imports from China. Products such as dog food, baby formula, toys with lead paint, and even pharmaceuticals like heparin have been found to have been made with toxic materials and other counterfeit ingredients that have long been putting United States consumers at significant risk.

The CPSC is advising consumers to turn off their computer, unplug it, and stop using the recalled AC adapters immediately and contact Sony to arrange for a free replacement of the affected AC adapter. Sony can be reached toll-free at 1-877-361-4481 anytime, or at the firm’s Web site at esupport.sony.com/ac19adapter.