Samsung Recalls Jitterbug Cell Phones for Emergency 911 Connection Failure
Samsung is recalling about 160,000 Jitterbug cell phones because they may fail to connect to emergency 911 services in no-service areas.
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 risk-of-harm product where the device may fail to reach emergency services, but the source explicitly states that no injuries or illnesses have been reported.
Plain-English summary
Samsung Telecommunications America is recalling approximately 160,000 Samsung "Jitterbug" cell phones, specifically models SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 with standard keypads and version BB14 software. The recall was initiated because these specific phones may fail to connect to emergency 911 services when they are in a no-service area and display an "out of range, try again later" message.
The affected phones were sold directly to consumers through targeted national advertisements, publications, electronics and drug stores, and online at www.jitterbug.com from March 2008 through May 2009 for approximately $150. No other Samsung wireless phones or software versions are included in this recall.
Samsung and Jitterbug are directly contacting consumers to schedule a free software upgrade. Consumers who have not been contacted should call Samsung toll-free at (866) 304-4980 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, or visit www.samsung.com for additional information.
The recalled product
- Product
- Samsung "Jitterbug" Cell Phones
- Category
- Consumer Product — Cell Phones
- Affected units
- 160,000
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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