Sony Recalls 3.5 Million PS2 Power Adaptors

Sony is recalling 3.5 million PlayStation 2 power adaptors because they can overheat and cause consumers harm. The recall affects the slimline PlayStation 2, which comes with a free-standing power adaptor to save space. The adaptors were manufactured from August to December of 2004. Approximately 2.3 million units were sold in Europe, with the rest scattered all over Asia and North America.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 38 reports of the adaptor overheating in the US. Of this figure, two incidents resulted in minor burns, one incident in minor shock and four reports of minor property damage.

The US recall involves approximately 843,000 power adaptors with date codes 2004.08, 2004.09, 2004.10, 2004.11 and 2004.12 and serial numbers starting with “F3″. If you purchased a slimline PlayStation 2, you can go to www.us.playstation.com and check if your specific adaptor is being recalled.

The PS2 adaptor recall is a bit ill-timed (ok, I guess ANY product recall is) because it comes at a time when Sony is currently actively promoting the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and preparing for the debut of the PlayStation 3 console in 2006.