Cricket EZ Cell Phones Recalled; Audio Problem Interferes with Emergency 911 Calls
Home product recall 08-572. Announced by CPSC on May 20, 2008.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on May 20, 2008. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
A software problem with the cell phones causes audio problems with 911 calls. When a call is connected to 911, the operator may not hear the caller or the caller may not hear the 911 operator.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should immediately return their phone to Cricket for a free software repair. Cricket is directly contacting consumers who purchased these cell phones to alert them to the recall.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: For additional information, contact Cricket toll-free at (866) 441-1577 between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. MT Monday through Saturday, and between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. MT on Sunday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mycricket.com
Which ones are recalled?
This recall involves the “Cricket EZ” cellular phone. The cell phones are small, black and silver bar-style. “Cricket” is printed on top of the phone above the display panel. Model number “CRKJ88BKIT” is located on a label inside the battery compartment behind the battery. Units that have a model number that ends with a “B” (“CRKJ88BKITB”), units that have a green dot on the inside label, and units that were sold after March 2008 are not included in this recall.
About 285,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Cricket EZ Cellular Phones.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Cricket Communications, San Diego, Calif. (subsidiary of Leap Wireless International Inc.).
- Cricket stores and independent dealers nationwide from February 2008 through March 2008 for about $90.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
Cricket has received two reports of the audio not working properly when a consumer placed a call to 911. No injuries were reported.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.