Costco Power Banks Recalled After Catching Fire on a Flight

What: Ubio Labs power banks

Who: Costco Wholesale Corp.

Why: The Ubio Labs power banks can overheat and ignite, posing a fire hazard.

When: The recall was initiated on August 17, 2023.

Where: The Ubio Labs power banks were sold in Costcos nationwide and online at Costco.com. 

How customers can identify the recalled product: Sold in both single and double packs, the Ubio Labs power banks are black in color and have the model number PWB1071 printed on the back. Customers will also find the Costco item numbers 1314518 (single) and 1265470 (double) printed on the package. The CPSC has registered this under number 23-783.

On August 17th, 2023, Costco Wholesale Corp. issued a recall for the stock of the power banks manufactured by Ubio Labs, Inc., of Mercer Island, Washington, a computers and electronics manufacturing company, that has since ceased operations, after reports of injury and fire hazards. According to the reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Ubio Labs power banks, when in use, can overheat and ignite, posing a fire hazard. Roughly 350,000 units of the Ubio Labs power banks are affected by the recall. 

Currently, Costco has reported to have received three reports of fire, including one report of fire on a commercial flight resulting in four reports of smoke inhalation and one report of a minor burn injury to passengers. The power banks were sold in either single or double packs in Costco stores nationwide and online at www.costco.com. The single power banks were sold from March 2019 through December 2020 for $32, and the double packs were sold from September 2018 through December 2020 for roughly $40.

As mentioned, this recall involves Ubio Labs power banks, sold in either a pack of one or a pack of two. The recalled power banks are black and have the model number PWB1071 printed on the back. Customers can find the Costco item number printed on the package. The item number for the single pack is 1314518, and the item number for the two-pack is 1265470. Consumers who find they are in possession of the recalled power banks should immediately stop all use and immediately contact Costco for a full refund. 

Costco Is Offering Customers Full Refunds

Costco customers can register for a refund by contacting the Costco call center at 1-800-774-2678 Monday through Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm PT or by completing this form to request return packaging be sent to them. Customers who opt for a mail-in may also request to have special return packaging sent to them to make a return and can expect the packaging to arrive within two weeks of filling out the form. Costco customers will need to ensure they include their membership number and a physical street address in the contiguous United States.

Once your package is received and the units are verified as affected products, Costco will provide your refund via a digital shop card within two weeks. Those customers who reside in Arkansaw, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or outside the United States are ineligible to return the power banks via mail due to transportation restrictions of recalled lithium-ion batteries and are asked to return the unit to their local Costco warehouse. For more information regarding which states or regions require specific return requirements, we highly recommend you contact Costco’s call center or contact an attorney. 

How Contacting a Morgan & Morgan Attorney Can Help You

Contacting an attorney will only benefit your injury case. At Morgan & Morgan, we have over 1,000 attorneys specialized in helping you have the best chance of recovering compensation for your case. When you hire one of our attorneys, they will gather evidence by reviewing medical records, police reports, and work with experts to help build the strongest case possible. Not only do we fight to get you what you deserve, but our clients never have to worry whether or not they’ll be able to afford legal representation. 

Our attorneys work on what is known as a contingency, meaning our fee is free unless we win your case. For over 35 years, our law firm has helped millions of clients get the justice they deserve after they’ve been injured by a defective product, and we want to help you too. For more information about the recall, or if you believe you have suffered an injury or damages due to the Ubio Labs power banks, contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today. Contact our law firm today by completing our free no-obligation case evaluation form.