The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·02156·Announced 2002-05-13

Milwaukee Recalls Power Plus Automotive Chargers Due to Fire Hazard

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. is recalling about 18,000 Power Plus automotive chargers because they can overheat under low voltage conditions, posing a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with six reports of overheating, but the source explicitly states that no injuries or property damage have been reported, fitting the criteria for a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. is recalling approximately 18,000 Power Plus automotive chargers and Impact wrench kits containing these chargers. The recall includes chargers that plug into automotive cigarette lighters, identified by catalog number 48-59-0184, and Impact wrench kits with catalog number 9079-23 and serial numbers ranging from 241A401520001 through 241A402080126.

The chargers are often used on job sites to charge power tool batteries. When used under low voltage conditions, the chargers can overheat, which poses a fire hazard. CPSC and Milwaukee Electric Tool have received six reports of the chargers overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported involving these chargers.

The chargers and wrench kits were sold nationwide at home centers, hardware stores, and industrial distributors from March 2000 through April 2002. The chargers sold for about $115, and the Impact wrench kits sold for about $325. Consumers should stop using the chargers immediately and return them to a Milwaukee factory service center or authorized power tool service center for an exchange for a battery pack, a replacement charger, or a refund.

The recalled product

Product
Power Plus automotive chargers
Manufacturer
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., of Brookfield, Wis.
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools & Accessories
Hazard
Affected units
18,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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