CPSC recall 01-188, announced July 6, 2001, covers Apple Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapters (about 570,000 units). These AC adapters could overheat, posing a fire hazard. The notice cites 6 incident reports. Consumers should stop using these AC adapters and contact Apple to receive a free replacement. Recall contact: call (866) 277-2096, or go to www.apple.com/adapterexchange.
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Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.
Affected model numbers
The label located on the side of the adapter reads in part, "Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapter" and "Model Number: M4402."
Which products are included?
No Titanium PowerBook G4 or iBook power adapters are part of this recall. The recall includes only AC adapters with a two-pin connector that came with Apple Macintosh PowerBooks or that were sold separately. The small rectangular black AC adapter box has a permanently attached cord on one end that connects to the computer and a detachable two-prong cord on the other end to plug into an AC outlet. It is approximately 4.75 inches long by 2 inches wide. The label located on the side of the adapter reads in part, "Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapter" and "Model Number: M4402."
Confirm these details on the official CPSC noticeWhat to look for
- Model numbers
- One listed. Yours must match it exactly.
- Where to look
the label located on the side of the adapter
(the notice’s words)- When sold
- May 1998 through March 2000
- Price paid
- $69
Why it was recalled
These AC adapters could overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents and injuries
Apple received six reports of these adapters overheating. No injuries have been reported.
Official remedy
Consumers should stop using these AC adapters and contact Apple to receive a free replacement.
What to do now
- Check the label. Compare your model number with the one listed in this recall.
- Stop using it. The notice says to stop using recalled units.
- Contact the firm. Call (866) 277-2096, or go to www.apple.com/adapterexchange.
- Read the official notice. The CPSC notice is the final word on which units are included and what to do.
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Product and sales details
- Brand
- Apple
- Manufacturer
- Apple, of Cupertino, Calif.
- Product type
- Battery chargers
- Recall number
- 01-188
- Units
- About 570,000
- Sold at / sales period
- Electronic and computer stores worldwide and Apple's website sold these AC adapters with PowerBook G3s, from May 1998 through March 2000. They also were sold separately for about $69.
Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapters
CPSC product type: Adapter/Power Supply/Charger/Battery
This recall in context
Compared with the 124 battery charger recalls in this index, as of October 31, 2026.
- Size
- 570,000 units: the 14th-largest of 114 battery charger recalls that state a unit count. The median is 27,400 units.
- Hazard
- Fire: named in 92 of 124 battery charger recalls, the most common hazard among them.
- Brand history
- Apple is named in 5 CPSC notices in this index, from 2001 to 2019. This recall is the earliest. 3 of them are battery charger recalls.
- Time on sale
- 23 months. Recalled 16 months after the last month of sales the notice gives.
Recall contact information
For more information, contact Apple at (866) 277-2096 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Sunday through Saturday, or go to their website at www.apple.com/adapterexchange/
Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.
Know someone who has one?
Recalls only work when owners hear about them. Send this notice to family or friends who might own the same product.
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