Microsoft is going to be issuing a voluntary recall later this week for some of the AC power chargers that were included in some Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 tablets. The recall is due to a possible fire hazard for those cords.
Channelnomics Europe reports that the recall will affect all Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 tablets in Europe sold before July 15, 2015. It says Microsoft will officially announce the recall plans on Friday, January 22:
"According to the Microsoft statement, if the cords are "sharply or repeatedly bent... [or] tightly wrapped" they are prone to overheating and, as such, could pose a fire hazard. Eligible customers wishing to obtain a replacement will, as of Friday, be directed to a specially constructed website, where they can order one. Affected customers will also be advised to dispose of or recycle their existing power cords safely and in accordance with local regulations."
ZDNet received a statement from a Microsoft spokesperson who said:
"As a result of damage caused by AC power cords being wound too tightly, twisted or pinched over an extended period of time, a very small proportion of Surface Pro customers have reported issues with their AC power cord. We will be releasing details of how customers can obtain a free replacement cable shortly."
The spokesperson added the recall will be for those tablets that were sold in the US before March 2015. The recall will not affect owners of the non-Pro Surface tablets, nor the more recently-released Surface Pro 4 model.
Source: ZDNet, Channelnomics Europe
