Microsoft Recalls Power Cords for Xbox Consoles

Some Xbox Power Cords Can Cause Fire

by Yaroslav Lyssenko

[ 02/19/2005 | 06:12 AM ]

Microsoft Corp. announced that it will voluntarily replace the power cords on 14.1 million Xbox consoles worldwide. The company said in at least 30 consoles worldwide, failures of power cords are reported to have caused minor injury or minor property damage: in 7 instances, customers reported sustaining a minor burn to their hand, in 23 instances, customers reported smoke damage, or minor damage to a carpet or entertainment center.

<%BANNER[article_nw]%>

“The replacement power cords are designed to protect consumers and their Xbox consoles from rare electrical component failures that can pose a fire hazard. Fewer than one in 10 000 consoles have experienced these component failures, and, in almost all instances, any damage caused by these failures was contained within the console itself or limited to the tip of the power cord at the back of the console,” the company said in its statement.

In all regions except Continental Europe, Xbox consoles manufactured before Oct. 23, 2003, require a replacement power cord. In Continental Europe, consoles manufactured before Jan. 13, 2004, require a replacement power cord. To replace your cord, customers should either fill-in application at Xbox web-site, or call special toll-free numbers.

While waiting for the new cord to arrive, consumers should turn off their Xbox consoles when not in use.

• Press release and List of Toll-Free Numbers: Microsoft Announces Xbox Power Cord Replacement.
• Xbox.com: Replacement Cord.