Apple phones and phone accessories
159 reports to CPSC, the latest made Oct 13, 2026. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Nov 5, 2026.
- 159reports to CPSC
- Oct 13, 2026the latest report was made
- Jul 2, 2011the earliest
- 0with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Apple
- Makers
- Apple Inc. and Incipio, LLCMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Phones and phone accessoriesCPSC’s product type: Telephones or Telephone Accessories (code 550), in Electronics: Telephones, Cell Phones & Accessories
Other ways the reports write the brand (23)
“Apple IPhone”, “Apple Inc.”, “APPLE IPHONE”, “Apple / iPhone”, “Apple Amazon Renewed”, “Apple IPhone 4G”, “Apple IPhone Charger”, “Apple Iphone 12 Pro Max”, “Apple Iphone 3GS”, “Apple Iphone 3gs”, “Apple iPhone”, “Apple iPhone 11”, “Apple iPhone 13”, “Apple iPhone 16”, “Apple iPhone 3GS”, “Apple iPhone 5 Lightning to USB Cable”, “Apple iPhone 7 Plus”, “Apple iPhone X”, “Apple inc”, “Apple iphone”, “Apple iphone 4”, “Apple, Inc.” and “apple iphone”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1 |
| September 2026 | 4 |
| August 2026 | 6 |
| July 2026 | 4 |
| June 2026 | 2 |
| May 2026 | 3 |
| April 2026 | 2 |
| March 2026 | 1 |
| February 2026 | 1 |
| January 2026 | 2 |
| December 2025 | 1 |
| November 2025 | 2 |
| October 2025 | 3 |
| September 2025 | 2 |
| August 2025 | 3 |
| July 2025 | 1 |
| June 2025 | 1 |
| February 2025 | 1 |
| August 2024 | 1 |
| July 2024 | 1 |
| June 2024 | 1 |
| March 2024 | 1 |
| December 2023 | 1 |
| August 2023 | 2 |
| April 2023 | 1 |
| February 2023 | 1 |
| January 2023 | 1 |
| May 2022 | 1 |
| August 2021 | 1 |
| January 2021 | 1 |
| December 2020 | 2 |
| November 2020 | 1 |
| July 2020 | 1 |
| October 2019 | 1 |
| July 2019 | 1 |
| May 2019 | 1 |
| January 2019 | 1 |
| December 2018 | 1 |
| September 2018 | 1 |
| June 2018 | 1 |
| February 2018 | 2 |
| December 2017 | 1 |
| September 2017 | 2 |
| August 2017 | 1 |
| June 2017 | 1 |
| April 2017 | 2 |
| February 2017 | 1 |
| January 2017 | 3 |
| December 2016 | 2 |
| November 2016 | 1 |
| September 2016 | 2 |
| July 2016 | 3 |
| June 2016 | 1 |
| April 2016 | 1 |
| March 2016 | 1 |
| December 2015 | 2 |
| November 2015 | 1 |
| October 2015 | 1 |
| September 2015 | 1 |
| July 2015 | 1 |
| June 2015 | 1 |
| May 2015 | 2 |
| April 2015 | 1 |
| January 2015 | 1 |
| December 2014 | 1 |
| October 2014 | 3 |
| September 2014 | 2 |
| August 2014 | 1 |
| July 2014 | 1 |
| June 2014 | 2 |
| May 2014 | 1 |
| April 2014 | 1 |
| March 2014 | 3 |
| February 2014 | 2 |
| January 2014 | 2 |
| December 2013 | 1 |
| November 2013 | 1 |
| October 2013 | 3 |
| August 2013 | 4 |
| July 2013 | 1 |
| June 2013 | 1 |
| May 2013 | 2 |
| April 2013 | 4 |
| March 2013 | 3 |
| February 2013 | 4 |
| January 2013 | 3 |
| December 2012 | 2 |
| November 2012 | 2 |
| July 2012 | 2 |
| June 2012 | 1 |
| April 2012 | 1 |
| March 2012 | 1 |
| February 2012 | 2 |
| January 2012 | 1 |
| August 2011 | 1 |
| July 2011 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- Emergency room 7 CPSC: Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received
- Seen by a doctor or nurse 9 CPSC: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
- First aid 10 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
- Hurt, no treatment 16 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
- Hurt, care not known 3 CPSC: Injury, Level of care not known
- No one hurt 94 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
- No incident, no one hurt 9 CPSC: No Incident, No Injury
- Not said 11 CPSC: Unspecified
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
-
Not said Made Oct 30, 2014, sent to the company Nov 7, 2014, published by CPSC Nov 26, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple 5C phone
phone began to swell, one side of screen lifted upward, when case was removed at [REDACTED] store it began to swell dramatically. [REDACTED] refused to do anything, phone was brought to an Apple store who said there was a problem with the battery and they placed it in a box, expecting that it would explode or catch fire. Phone was replaced free of charge.
- Where
- Unspecified: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made Oct 22, 2014, sent to the company Oct 31, 2014, published by CPSC Nov 26, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone Lightening Sync Cable
I have an iPhone 5s and while it was charging I noticed a burning smell. When I looked down at the phone I noticed that the charger cord had melted and was smoking. Prior to this there were no signs of damage and the cord was not pinched or bent at the location of the burning. Once unplug from the wall I noticed that the end of the cord that plugged into the phone was very hot and that the phone in that location was hot as well. This is the Apple Provided Lightening Sync Cable that was provided with my phone as well as the wall charger adapter that was also provided by Apple
- Model
- Lightening Sync Cable
- Bought from
- Verizon Wireless, Virginia
- Where
- Virginia Beach, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 41, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Oct 21, 2014, sent to the company Oct 29, 2014, published by CPSC Nov 14, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS
Apple iPhone 3GS battery swelled up and damaged phone casing and screen. Phone was not on my person at the time of incident. Found phone in damaged state after removing from drawer which it had been stored in for approximately two to three weeks.
- Model
- A1303
- UPC
- Unknown
- Serial number
- Unknown
- Bought from
- AT&T Wireless, Texas
- Bought
- Aug 1, 2010, about then
- Where
- Salado, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 24, 2014, sent to the company Oct 2, 2014, published by CPSC Oct 17, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 5s silver in color
I purchased an iPhone5s in May 2014 on AT&T’s NEXT program, and pay a monthly installment on the device. Since I have owned the device, It has gotten very warm and even hot to the touch when charging at night. I use an original Apple Charger and Lightning cable with this device. I took the device out of it’s protective case on the morning of September 21, 2014 to clean the inside of the screen protector, and discovered that the device has warped and deformed due to the heat.
This device has an aluminum exterior, and it has overheated to the point the aluminum is warped, and the screen has actually separated from the aluminum housing. This device shows no other signs of heat damage other than the warped housing; however, the heat had partially fused the protective case to the device on the back.
On Sunday Sept. 21, 2014, I spoke with an Apple Care representative who advised me to contact my cellular carrier AT&T. I immediately spoke with a representative of AT&T that evening who advised me that this was a warranty situation, and Apple handles all of their warranty claims.
I emailed [REDACTED] at AT&T that evening as well as [REDACTED] at Apple, both of whom are executives in their respective companies. AT&T reiterated their position of deferring to Apple; however, Apple diagnosed the device. Apple’s diagnosis is that the device is searching for signal overnight while charging and that searching is what is in fact causing this overheat situation.
Apple did not offer a meaningful solution to resolve this problem without me being without a device for several days, or traveling to an Apple Store; however, AT&T is willing to exchange the device free of charge, but they want the original device returned to them within 10 business days.
- Model
- iPhone 5s
- Serial number
- F17MGP1GFF9V
- Bought from
- AT&T
- Bought
- May 10, 2014, about then
- Where
- Waldron, Arkansas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 29, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made Sep 24, 2014, sent to the company Oct 2, 2014, published by CPSC Oct 17, 2014
The product, in the report: Iphone 3GS
I purchased an Iphone 3GS in December 2010. It was well taken care of with no issues or damage and I replaced it in May 2014 solely because it was old. My battery life at that point was excellent and I had absolutely no problems with the phone. Since then, it has been in a drawer in my bedroom uncharged in a hardshell case.
This morning I opened the drawer to discover that the phone had swelled and split with the screen pushed out from the case. The battery has swollen and may be at risk of exploding and causing a fire.
While I understand that batteries die, and need to be replaced, but should not destroy the device in the process.
If Apple produced a product from which the consumer could remove the battery themselves when storing the device, it would be the consumer’s responsibility, BUT the Iphone is designed so that onyl the manufacturer can remove/replace the battery, which puts a large number of consumers at risk from disused devices.
- Model
- A1303
- Bought from
- AT&T, Maryland
- Bought
- Dec 8, 2010, about then
- Where
- United States: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
First aid Made Aug 28, 2014, sent to the company Sep 8, 2014, published by CPSC Sep 22, 2014
The product, in the report: iPhone 5s lightning/USB charging cord (white)
While driving my vehicle and using my factory iPhone 5s “lightning” USB charging cord (plugged into a 12V cigarette plug adaptor) to charge my iPhone 5s, the portion of the charging cord that plugs into the phone electrocuted me and burned my finger. I was attempting to plug the lightning end of the plug into my iPhone 5s, and it began sparking and burning.
This is very dangerous, and my wife’s iPhone 5s cord is similarly failing and showing exposed internal wires. This failure of the cord outer coating (at the point connecting the lightning plug to the cord length) is atypical of other cell phone charging cords. I have never experienced this before, and it is occurring to both of the iPhone 5s charging cords I own.
This sparking and fire could cause a house or car fire, in addition to the electrocution and burn on my finger that I received. This appears to be a design defect resulting from too thin or inappropriate cord covering, combined with too short and too rigid of a coupling section where the lightning end and the cord length join.
- Model
- MD638LL/
A - Serial number
- C37JFRAYDTTN
- Bought from
- AT&T Wireless
- Bought
- Nov 1, 2013, about then
- Where
- Fort Worth, Texas: Street or Highway
- Who was involved
- Age 42, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
-
Seen by a doctor or nurse Made Jul 16, 2014, sent to the company Jul 24, 2014, published by CPSC Aug 14, 2014
The product, in the report: White iPhone 5 charger box, small cube shape plugs into outlet with slot in the front for USB cord
On September 21, 2013 I was charger my iPhone in my bed when I accidentally fell asleep. I woke up a couple hours later with some pain on my left leg. I tried to go back to sleep when I just couldn’t shake off the pain so I looked at my legs to find it to be super red with a big water bubble in the middle. I knew right away it was a burn I felt around my bed to feel how got my charger box was. It was so hot that you couldn’t even hold the box in your hand for more than a minute. Within two days the blister ended up popping because of my work pants. The next day I had a burn mark in the same shape of my charger box, a square. September 26, 2013 I notice my burn with about a inch red mark around it. I went to the doctor to find out I then had an infection called cellulitis. I have a huge hole in my leg and now a huge scar on my leg. It really effected my life and I don’t want it to happen to anymore people. This product should not get as hot as this charger box does I’m only happy it burnt my leg and not my house down!
- Where
- Arlington Heights, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 21, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
-
No one hurt Made Jun 30, 2014, sent to the company Jul 9, 2014, published by CPSC Jul 23, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple IPHONE 3GS Mobile Phone
I Have an IPhone 3GS that has not been used for a few months, but stored in a drawer, when I came to use it, the battery had severely expanded causing the phone to split in 2 pieces.
Apple say it is out of warranty & there is no manufacturing defect, but said I could not leave it with them for repair as it is potentially dangerous.
- Bought from
- apple
- Bought
- Jun 1, 2012, about then
- Where
- Chesterfield, United Kingdom: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 48, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand APPLE, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 25, 2014, sent to the company Jul 3, 2014, published by CPSC Jul 18, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone Charger Model No. A1265 Input100 - 240V Output 5V 1A
iPhone charger made popping sound and emitted smoke, body separated from plug blades and jumped a foot across room. Plug blades still in socket were safely removed. Black residue on wall socket and body of charger.
- Model
- Apple Charger
- Serial number
- 1X84288R259T
- Bought from
- Apple
- Bought
- Jun 1, 2013, about then
- Where
- Westfield, Massachusetts: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 14, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made May 8, 2014, sent to the company May 15, 2014, published by CPSC May 30, 2014
The product, in the report: Iphone 3gs
Iphone 3gs left on shelf during day (not being charged) - temperature normal. During day phone ruptured and screen twisted off body of phone - battery has ‘blown’ pushing up against internals and screen. Common problem being reported by others - this product is not that old (two years) for such a problem.
- Bought
- May 1, 2012
- Where
- reading, United Kingdom: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
First aid Made Apr 14, 2014, sent to the company Apr 22, 2014, published by CPSC May 6, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple iphone 4 3G battery explosion
Apple Iphone 4 battery exploding in device! Defect in product ..
- Model
- A1332
- Bought from
- AT&T
- Where
- St. Clair, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 34, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple iphone 4, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
-
Not said Made Mar 26, 2014, sent to the company Apr 2, 2014, published by CPSC Apr 16, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB white
My iPhone 3GS was in my drawer as I use it for an iPod now and the battery swelled inside the phone causing it not to work anymore. I called Apple and they said sorry out of warranty and it is normal for that to happen.
- Bought from
- AT&T
- Bought
- Feb 2, 2010
- Where
- Somerset, Massachusetts: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made Mar 24, 2014, sent to the company Apr 1, 2014, published by CPSC Apr 15, 2014
The product, in the report: iPhone 3Gs battery exploded
After charging my iPhone 3Gs, the battery exploded, swelled up and popped the screen off the phone. I am unable to tell if the battery is leaking inside the phone.
- Model
- iPhone 3Gs
- Bought from
- AT&T
- Bought
- Jul 15, 2009, about then
- Where
- Unspecified: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 65, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Mar 18, 2014, sent to the company Mar 25, 2014, published by CPSC Apr 8, 2014
The product, in the report: Black Apple IPhone 3GS
I charged my IPhone 3 yesterday and put it on the counter overnight and when I woke up in the morning - the screen was popped up and upon further examination I noticed that the battery under the board had expanded to the point that it broke the little board in half and protruded one end of the screen up an inch. If I had been using this phone at the time I could have been hurt. It was not being charged when it expanded/exploded. I researched online and found that this happens a lot to this particular phone. There should be a warning out!
- Model
- A1303
- UPC
- 885909317752
- Serial number
- 87935U8R3NP
- Bought from
- APPLE Store, Oklahoma
- Bought
- Jul 7, 2009, about then
- Where
- Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 62, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Hurt, no treatment Made Feb 7, 2014, sent to the company Feb 19, 2014, published by CPSC Mar 6, 2014
The product, in the report: Iphone 5 white charger
Iphone5 charger was plugged into my car and cell phone. Smelled and saw smoke. Charger was sparking. Melted plastic and burnt my hair. Happened with another iphone 5 charger 2 weeks prior. Returned first charger to store.
- Model
- I don’t know
- Bought from
- Apple, Florida
- Bought
- Jan 27, 2014
- Where
- Delray Beach, Florida: Other
- Who was involved
- Age 48, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
-
No one hurt Made Feb 1, 2014, sent to the company Feb 10, 2014, published by CPSC Mar 6, 2014
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS black in color
I had a iPhone 3GS for a couple of years and then upgraded to a new iPhone. I used my old phone (3GS) as an iPod and kept it in a drawer. After a few months of little use and being in the drawer, i pulled it out and discovered the battery had expanded and destroyed the phone. The screen popped off, the boards were broken, and pieces were all over the drawer. When i picked it up, the battery discharged some sort of gas. Given that it is a lithium ion battery, I don’t think that gas was healthy. I did not see the battery expand so I do not know how much force was behind it, but given the damage to my phone, I am glad it did not happen in my pocket.
- Where
- Unspecified: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Hurt, no treatment Made Jan 14, 2014, sent to the company Jan 24, 2014, published by CPSC Feb 7, 2014
The product, in the report: IPhone 5c
My wife has an iPhone 5C for a few months now. She recently dropped the phone on the floor and the screen cracked. While normally when screens crack the phone is still serviceable this time after still using it she had shards of glass in her finger as well as small shards of glass that i found around our apartment by stepping on it. i have a one year old at home who is always trying to get to our phones. while it is common knowledge that phones are not to be used by children the reality is 99% of them are playing with their parents phone anyway (proof lies in the fact that there are APS for babies).
The new iPhones apple is making break more easily then the old versions. With people needed to be connected to their phones at all times phones need to be more durable and that shouldn’t mean having to buy a $40 case to make the phone usable.
Making a product that will cause a safety hazard should not be allowed. The CPSC needs to start getting a handle on these products. THere is no regulation out there right now and there absolutely needs to be.
- Model
- Iphone 5C
- Serial number
- f4ll61l5fndd
- Bought from
- verizon
- Where
- Unspecified: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 23, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Spouse
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
-
No one hurt Made Jan 4, 2014, sent to the company Jan 13, 2014, published by CPSC Feb 5, 2014
The product, in the report: Apple Iphone 3gs 16gb black-orange uk network
Purchased Apple I phone 3gs in united kingdom.Phone was as new and in original box. Telephone’s battery failed and expanded causing unrepairable damage to phone. Apple refused to repair,saying that phone has none original screen. Third party vendor refunded money and insisted that phone was supplied by Orange as a replacement for his original Iphone as a warrenty claim.I consider that this is a defect with this device and could result in injury or damage to property.
- Where
- United Kingdom: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Dec 23, 2013, sent to the company Jan 17, 2014, published by CPSC Feb 4, 2014
The product, in the report: iPhone 3G S
The consumer stated that she pulled the phone out of her drawer and took it out of the protective case. The consumer stated that the phone had split in half from the expansion of the battery. The consumer stated that the phone was in the drawer for about a month. The consumer stated that the phone was turned off. The consumer stated that she contacted the manf and they informed her that the battery overheated. The consumer stated that the manf did not offer any other assistance. The consumer stated that there is some sort of chemical odor coming from the battery.
- Model
- AI303
- Bought from
- AT&T Store
- Bought
- Dec 1, 2010, about then
- Where
- Anderson, Indiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 25, 2013, sent to the company Dec 4, 2013, published by CPSC Dec 18, 2013
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS 8 GB with white back casing.
I had an apple iPhone 3GS that I was using as an music player/internet browser. I went travelling and left the phone undisturbed inside a closet. Upon my return the iPhone’s battery had expanded, the back casing was deformed and the touchscreen was forced out of it’s frontal casing.
The device is somewhat still functional, but a expanding battery is not a “safe” thing to have around your home, due to the considerable hazards it may pose and it’s rather unpredictable behaviour on a electronic device.
I consider this to be a serious manufacturing flaw from Apple, since this type of issue can cause severe damage to people and their property. I also think that this is a most unusual behaviour for the power supply of a consumer electronics product and I am outraged that it happened on such an expensive device.
I believe that something should be done to hold Apple accountable for the poor quality of their devices!
- Model
- iPhone 3GS
- Where
- Lisbon, Portugal: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Oct 20, 2013, sent to the company Oct 28, 2013, published by CPSC Nov 12, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB / White, AT&T cell network.
Hi There,
My iPhone 3GS has had a battery explosion. All signs pointed toward the device working fine as I was able to fully charge it 5 days ago. I went to package up the item but found that the battery had exploded. The phone is now useless. I did some research and I guess the iPhone 3GS battery is known for this but apparently Apple is doing nothing about it. This could have caused serious harm if I had been holding the device to my head and talking on it.
I am now stuck with a non working device that could have killed someone, started a fire or who knows what else. These should be recalled and the consumers made whole.
[REDACTED]
- Model
- 3GS
- UPC
- 8590931776
- Serial number
- 859393vn3nq
- Bought from
- Apple, California
- Bought
- Oct 1, 2010
- Where
- Ventura, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Oct 13, 2013, sent to the company Oct 24, 2013, published by CPSC Nov 15, 2013
The product, in the report: Iphone 3gs 32g white
I’ve been using the iphone 3gs for about 2 years. Today I heard some ‘pop’ sound in the morning when I about to get up. I didn’t know what it was then, I thought something got dropped off the bed. Later in the night, I put the iphone 3gd back in to charge because the battery level was low. And I was sitting at the computer desk, all of sudden, the ‘pop’ went on again. I still didn’t know what it was. Later my wife came into the room and started using the iphone 3gd. She told me the screen was about to come off and battery might be expanding. I ignored and thought she might be crazy, ‘screen coming off and battery about to explode’, yeah right. After she left the room, l examined the phone, oh man, she was right!!! And I searched web to find out what happened to my phone and I found out that I’m not the only one having this issue. I can’t do anything now because it definitely looks and sounds like it’s going to pop and explode. I don’t know what will happen then. I found this link from from the forum site. I wish the Apple computer recalled the products that are so harmful and dangerous.
- Model
- Iphone 3gs 32g white
- Where
- sunnyvale, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Oct 1, 2013, sent to the company Oct 24, 2013, published by CPSC Nov 15, 2013
The product, in the report: iphone 3gs
My iphone 3g was replaced recently with an iphone 5. My son recently broke his phone and not having any upgrades available, we charged up the old 3g intending to give it to him. The phone was in my purse in preparation for delivering it to him when we visited him at college. Found the phone exploded in my purse. Phone was not dropped or otherwise misused. Phone simply exploded - screen pulled away and interior bent from within. Screen is not broken - no external scratches or marks. All damage on the inside.
- Bought from
- ATT
- Bought
- Oct 1, 2010
- Where
- GLEN ELLYN, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 50, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Aug 26, 2013, sent to the company Sep 4, 2013, published by CPSC Sep 18, 2013
The product, in the report: IPHONE 3GS
I had recently switched back to using my iphone 3gs and as i was using it it got real hot and shut off with 79% battery. i thought it was odd so i took it in to charge and it immediately came back on. well a few hours later it did the same thing but did not come back on. so i left the phone on my dresser came home the next day (neither hot or freezing in my house, just nicely cooled) and i noticed the screen was popped up and cracked. i am livid by this point but im like well i can get a new screen and replace it. was really confused as to what happened. later in the day it has completely separated and the battery was all swollen. it looked like it was ready to pop. i find it very infuriating that i paid for a device the the battery would behave this way. i go online and see that there are tons of people with this same problem. i could understand if it was in extreme conditions but under normal use this should not happen. it is unsafe. what if i had had that in my pocket.?? Apple feel that customers should pay to replace the battery cost but i am now without all my photos because their battery was defective. i have now lost a lot of photos of my 1 year old that i will never get back. i havd a lot backed up but not all.
- Model
- 3GS
- Bought
- Aug 10, 2012, about then
- Where
- French Lick, Indiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 25, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple Iphone 3GS, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Aug 26, 2013, sent to the company Sep 4, 2013, published by CPSC Sep 18, 2013
The product, in the report: iPhone 3gs black 32gig model
After I’d bought an iPhone 5 I’d set my old iPhone 3gs model on my desk. Occasionally I’d charge it in case I’d loan/give it to someone else. On 8/2/13 I reached for it thinking I could loan it to my dad to have wifi access for a trip he’d be going on the following week.
The phone felt odd and I noticed it had started popping out of the protective case I’ve had it in. Once I got that off you could see that the glass top was popped off on one edge by about 1/8” from where it had been while the other edge of glass was still in the frame. The black back side has small cracks running parallel to the longer edge from where something [battery] inside has pushed out...sort of like if you squeezed on bamboo or celery and it broke along the grain.
This iPhone was never dropped or water damaged. Just upgraded to have newer/faster gadget.
- Model
- A1303
- Bought from
- Apple, Washington
- Bought
- Jul 1, 2009, about then
- Where
- Seattle, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 52, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Aug 25, 2013, sent to the company Sep 3, 2013, published by CPSC Sep 17, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iphone 3gs
I have an Apple IPhone 4S and replaced a 3GS. I used my old 3GS as an ipod and kept some family pictures on that phone. Tonight, I picked up my 3GS to turn it on and the screen had popped loose from the case on one end. The phone did not turn on. Under investigation, found the board was bent and the case and screen could not be returned to normal position. Research gave me info that Apple designed the batteries to expand or explode in order to keep them from leaking. Something can only expand so much before it opens up and if it can pop the screen out of place, it is a potential hazzard to someone using the phone. Apple should research their problem and change in the future in order to protect the consumer. If this had exploded on me while using as a phone and injured me, Apple would find themselves in a legal lawsuit.
- Model
- Iphone 3gs
- UPC
- I don’t know
- Serial number
- I don’t know
- Bought from
- At&t, Tennessee
- Where
- Kingsport, Tennessee: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 42, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Aug 6, 2013, sent to the company Aug 14, 2013, published by CPSC Aug 28, 2013
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS 8GB black Model: iPhone 3GS Black 8GB Serial: 87041FUKEDG
Apple iPhone 3GS not been used for 4 months. Charged to 100% and started to use. Phone started to get larger and push the screen off. I turned off and removed screen to investigate. The battery had expanded like a balloon. I installed a new battery and all works well. I am concerned as this seems to be a safety hazard. I believe the battery could have exploded and given injury.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS Black 8GB
- Serial number
- 87041FUKEDG
- Bought from
- 3 Mobile
- Bought
- Aug 6, 2009, about then
- Where
- Brackley, United Kingdom: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 61, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jul 29, 2013, sent to the company Aug 6, 2013, published by CPSC Aug 20, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS, 32Gb, AT&T version
My iPhone 3GS screen suddenly popped out of the case at the top. I looked online and found several similar reports relating to the iPhone 3GS. The problem is caused by a rapid/sudden expansion of the battery which reportedly may explode causing potential fire or bodily injury.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS model number A1303 FCC ID BCGA1303A
- Bought from
- AT&T, Virginia
- Bought
- Jul 15, 2010, about then
- Where
- Rosslyn, Virginia: Other Public Property/
Office - Who was involved
- Age 43, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple iPhone 3GS, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made Jun 12, 2013, sent to the company Jun 20, 2013, published by CPSC Jul 5, 2013
The product, in the report: White 32gb iPhone 3GS
Iphone 3GS started heating up after 2 years of use, and the battery wouldnt last for more than 2 hours... During those two hours, the screen would start flashing, and colored lines would show on the screen, then it would turn off, and i would need to wait then do a reset(home+power button) for the phone to work again. i also noticed, the back cover started to bulge. Thats when i stopped using it as a phone and started using it as an iPod. What i realized is that it would only freeze and flash when it gets warmer. I ordered a back cover with a replacement battery online, and it took them 2 months to get here. When i opened my drawer to take my phone, i found that it had inflated, the ack cover was really round now, and the screws had popped out of their place. When i took the phone appart, i was surprised by how the battery was inflated, and was about to pop. So i took it out, replaced it with another battery, and with a new cover. And when i tried to turn the phone on, it did turn on, but the problem resumed, the screen would flash and freeze and jitter if any type of pressure is put on the phone. I think the motherboard is permanently damaged.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS
- Where
- Beirut, Lebanon: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made May 29, 2013, sent to the company Jun 5, 2013, published by CPSC Jun 19, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3Gs that is about 3 years old. I have been using it as an ipod and expected to be able to continue to as I originally paid about $770 for it, lasting longer than 3 years without self destructing seems reasonable.
I was charging my 3 year old iphone 3Gs when I noticed it swelling. Within about 15 minutes the screen nearly popped off on its own, I couldn’t get it out of my house quick enough. once outside the screen came off and the motherboard popped up on one side on its own due to the pressure from the expanding battery.
- Model
- iPhone 3Gs
- Bought from
- AT&T, California
- Bought
- Jun 15, 2010, about then
- Where
- 90277, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made May 4, 2013, sent to the company May 13, 2013, published by CPSC May 28, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS
The back of my iPhone 3GS split open in the center area. A week or so later, the screen pulled away from the back. Each day the screen pulled further away. I investigated by dismantling the unit. As I release the screws, the unit made some crackling noises and the battery was completely bulged like a balloon.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS
- Bought from
- ATT
- Bought
- May 1, 2008
- Where
- State College, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made Apr 22, 2013, sent to the company Apr 29, 2013, published by CPSC May 13, 2013
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS Black
I bought an iPhone 3GS from Apple 3 years ago and one day I made a call, during the call it exploded to 4x the size caused by the battery
- Model
- 3gs black
- Bought from
- Apple Online, Virginia
- Bought
- Feb 8, 2011, about then
- Where
- Lynchburg, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 20, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Apr 20, 2013, sent to the company Apr 29, 2013, published by CPSC May 13, 2013
The product, in the report: black iphone 3gs
iPhone 3gs was stored on a shelf with no liquid anywhere near it. When I looked at it today, it had basically expanded all by itself, so that the glass screen had separated from the body by about 2cm in some spots, though it was still adhered to it. I learned that there is a not-so-uncommon phenomenon of the batteries failing and essentially bursting. I consider this not only a product defect, but more imporantly, a serious safety hazard. I have no use for the iPhone at this point and it’s not even salvagable by replacing the battery. I was informed by a friend who used to work for Apple that I should immediately place it in a [REDACTED] bag because the innards of the battery are TOXIC and that I should then take it to the Apple store ASAP as they actually have safes designated for this to store the items while awaiting disposal. They also stated that on at least one occasion in this person’s store that they had to make a rush trip to the ER in response to just ONE of these devices behaving in this manner while in the store. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE from a company as reputable as Apple. Aside from their knowledge of this defect, this is just irresponsible and should result in some sort of repercussions for putting public health at risk. I have a small child and had she been using it at the time it decided to self destruct, I would be far more livid.
- Model
- iPhone 3gs
- Serial number
- I’m not going near the device to get this information.
- Bought from
- AT&T Store
- Bought
- Dec 9, 2009, about then
- Where
- Gold River, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 33, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made Apr 19, 2013, sent to the company Apr 29, 2013, published by CPSC May 13, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3gs, black, 16gb, Model # A1303, FCC ID: BCGA13038, IC ID: 579C-A13038
I left my Apple iPhone 3gs on the charger overnight. This morning, the battery has expanded, pushing the screen about 1/2” out and breaking the back casing. The back casing is bulging out about 1/4” also.
- Model
- A1303
- Serial number
- 86947E8E3NP
- Bought from
- AT&T
- Where
- Salt Lake City, Utah: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made Apr 11, 2013, sent to the company Apr 19, 2013, published by CPSC May 3, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple’s iPhone5 Lightning to USB Cable, gets hot and melts. This is the 2nd time this has happened. Once with my car charger and once when plugged into my computer.
Apple iPhone 5 Lightning to USB Cable gets hot, melts and burns.
- Model
- iPhone5
- Bought from
- Sprint Retailer, Florida
- Bought
- Feb 14, 2013
- Where
- Orlando, Florida: Other Public Property/
Office - Who was involved
- Age 40, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple iPhone 5 Lightning to USB Cable, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Mar 27, 2013, sent to the company Apr 4, 2013, published by CPSC Apr 18, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS cell phone
I left a 3 year old iPhone 3GS on charge and the battery expanded to such an extent that the lcd screen was pushed out of it’s casing. This is the second iPhone 3GS to have this problem in my household.
- Model
- Apple iPhone 3GS cell phone
- Where
- Ware, United Kingdom: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 17, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple /
iPhone, made or sold by Apple Inc. - How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made Mar 11, 2013, sent to the company Mar 18, 2013, published by CPSC Apr 1, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS 16Gb
Iphone 3gs - used normally for around 2 years, then reduced usage. Stopped using it and placed in draw for a couple of months. Removed, charged and device worked fine, but noticed larger that normal, and looked as screen was becoming disconnected from the device. Looking at search engines, becomes apparent the battery is swelling inside and pushing the phone apart from the inside.
Stopped charging it, and turned device off.
- Model
- Apple iPhone 3GS 16Gb Black
- Bought from
- O2
- Bought
- Feb 1, 2010, about then
- Where
- Gloucester, United Kingdom: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made Mar 1, 2013, sent to the company Mar 13, 2013, published by CPSC Mar 27, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iphone3GS 32GB model
3 year old iphone3gs “exploded” open. Came home to see battery had expanded so big that it popped open the iphone case, breaking the internals, found screws strewn about floor and bloated li-ion battery remains.
This is unsafe. This was never mentioned in any documentation. The battery is not user replaceble and Apple knows this will inevitably happen breaking the product. This is unacceptable.
- Model
- Iphone 3GS
- Serial number
- 320330ex3nr?
- Bought from
- Apple Store, Illinois
- Bought
- Jul 13, 2011, about then
- Where
- Chicago, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 29, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Feb 27, 2013, sent to the company Mar 8, 2013, published by CPSC Mar 22, 2013
The product, in the report: iPhone 4, 16 GB
My iPhone 4 exploded when it was in a cabinet unused for two months. It is normal and an advanced feature that protects me as a user, says Apple Store in Stockholm/Sweden! I claim that it´s a manufacturing fault that should be solved by my rights in EU Consumer Law (http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/).
The iPhone is almost 2 years old and the EU Consumer Law in Sweden give me 3 years warranty IF it´s proved to be a manufacturing fault as I claim. Apple Store in Stockholm/Sweden says it´s totally normal and not a problem with a battery explosion in my iPhone 4! I had to pay about €79 to get a replacement iPhone since the casing is destroyed.
- Model
- iPhone 4, 16 GB
- Serial number
- 012547005702143
- Bought from
- Elgiganten
- Bought
- Mar 27, 2011
- Where
- Stockholm, Sweden: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Feb 25, 2013, sent to the company Mar 7, 2013, published by CPSC Mar 21, 2013
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS
I have an iPhone 3Gs, which I still use as my cellular phone. Today, it began to noticeably swell. The back has now completely severed from the front of the phone, and the battery keeps swelling. I can no longer use my phone, and it appears dangerous.
- Model
- 3GS
- Bought from
- AT&T
- Bought
- May 1, 2009, about then
- Where
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 26, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Feb 24, 2013, sent to the company Mar 4, 2013, published by CPSC Mar 19, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS
I had given my daughter my old Apple iPhone 3GS last year after upgrading my phone. She uses it as an iPod. This morning she noticed the screen pushed out of half of the case, and the back of the case was very bulged and rounded. Additionally, I can see a crack in the motherboard through the now open side.
It appears the battery swelled. We did not notice any plastic or other odor emanating from the device.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS
- Serial number
- unknown
- Bought from
- ATT
- Where
- Coon Rapids, Minnesota: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made Feb 20, 2013, sent to the company Feb 28, 2013, published by CPSC Mar 15, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple cellphone - iPhone 3GS black 2”x 4”.
My iPhone separated. I took it apart and found the battery tripled in size. It was expanding and crackling.
- Model
- Apple iPhone 3GS A1303
- Bought from
- Att, Idaho
- Bought
- Apr 1, 2010, about then
- Where
- Monument, Colorado: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- Reports CPSC links to it
- 20130220-0ABD4-2147458626
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made Jan 20, 2013, sent to the company Feb 5, 2013, published by CPSC Feb 20, 2013
The product, in the report: IPHONE 3GS 16GB
My Iphone 3GS was bought about 3 years ago in June 2010. I bought a Iphone 4 in January of 2012. Since then i left my 3GS in my drawer.. I started using the 3GS as an Ipod as soon as i got the iphone 4. Three days ago i charged my phone and hours later i check my 3GS and the back household was a little inflated.. i thought it was just the housing getting old then the next day it kept getting more bulkier and bulkier till today (day 3) the battery was so inflated that it popped the screen out and the two screws off the housing popped out and now the 3GS is useless.. My room stunk like burnt plastic. ive Googled and seen that many other people with 3GS phones have been having the same problem.. I also searched that some people have had the phone literally explode. The phone is outside because im worried it can explode
- Model
- A1303
- UPC
- IC ID: 579C-A1303B
- Serial number
- FCC ID: BCGA1303B
- Bought from
- AT@T
- Bought
- Jun 20, 2010, about then
- Where
- ENGLAND, Arkansas: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Age 21, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand APPLE, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jan 10, 2013, sent to the company Jan 24, 2013, published by CPSC Feb 7, 2013
The product, in the report: APPLE IPHONE 3gs
We had upgraded our iPhones last year, and gave our old iPhone 3gs to my Daughter. It has been working fine, until we found it this morning. We were charging it for 2 hours, and when she went to get it, we noticed that the screen had popped out, and the case was broken and bent. The battery had expanded considerably, and destroyed the case. I went online to check for other incidents, and I found many descriptions of this problem at apple.com forums. Our phone is out of warranty, so I doubt that Apple will do anything to help us, but there was no warning of this happening. It doesn’t seem fair that a product would essentially self-destruct, even if it is to avoid the possibility of injury. I have called APPLE India and someone from their team has promised to look into the matter. Incase I do not hear from them within 72 hours, I have been advised by our lawyer to file a case on them in the Consumer Courts of India. This really is a dangerous thing to happen. My daughter could have seriously been injured.
- Model
- Iphone 3 GS
- Where
- Udaipur, India: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 11, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand APPLE, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jan 10, 2013, sent to the company Jan 24, 2013, published by CPSC Feb 7, 2013
The product, in the report: IPhone 3GS
Tried to charge IPhone 3GS and the battery expanded blowing the case apart, clearly a substandard battery fitted.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS
- Bought from
- Carphone Wharehouse
- Bought
- Nov 6, 2010, about then
- Where
- Harrogate, United Kingdom: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Dec 31, 2012, sent to the company Jan 16, 2013, published by CPSC Jan 31, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3GS
Apple iPhone 3GS Swollen Battery. The phone sat in a drawer for about a month. I had been using it for music and GPS for the past year. I went to use it and the screen was cracked. I ordered a replacement screen and proceeded to start removing the old one. When I started to open the phone, the entire case popped. Fearing I would lose parts, I set the phone aside till the new screen arrived. Short story, the new screen was damaged so it was over a month before I got to the task of installing a new screen By that time, the battery had swollen the entire phone. The back had popped out and the system board is bent. Aside from having a very expensive paperweight, I now have potential fire hazard. I’m just glad I found it before it explodes.
- Model
- 3gs
- Bought from
- Apple
- Bought
- Feb 9, 2009, about then
- Where
- Woodbridge, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Dec 1, 2012, sent to the company Dec 14, 2012, published by CPSC Jan 2, 2013
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 3gs
My Apple 3gs was stored on a shelf at home and the battery blew up, destroying the iPhone. This would seem to be a hazard, besides destroying the iPhone that I was now using as an ipod.
- Model
- 3 Gs
- Where
- OMAHA, Nebraska: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 12, 2012, sent to the company Dec 5, 2012, published by CPSC Dec 19, 2012
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS 32GB model for GSM
I’d like to add my 32GB iPhone 3GS to the list of swollen iPhones. The phone is currently broken and unusable after self destructing. The battery has expanded and pushed the front screen glass out about a centimetre, and it appears the internal components have been cracked and torn.
I used the phone for just under 3 years (2yr9mo) with few problems and had just bought an iPhone 5 on Sept 28th, 2012. Beginning that day, the iPhone 3GS sat on a shelf and the battery ran down. I then charged it up to show my mother on November 4, with the idea of giving it to her. She didn’t want it and I slipped it back into my briefcase. At that point it was working fine. Today, November 12, it is all swollen, with the screen popped out the front. What a shock. Very upsetting. Could it blow up and burn down the house while we sleep?
- Model
- iPhone 3GS model A1303
- Bought from
- Fido
- Where
- Canada: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 1, 2012, sent to the company Nov 15, 2012, published by CPSC Nov 30, 2012
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS
We had upgraded our iPhones last year, and gave our old iPhone 3gs to our children. It has been working fine, until we found it this morning. We were charging it overnight, and when we went to get it, we noticed that the screen had popped out, and the case was broken. The battery had expanded considerably, and destroyed the case. I went online to check for other incidents, and I found many descriptions of this problem at apple.com forums and http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1742082-iPhone-3GS-Battery-Expanded-and-Pushed-Out-Front-Glass among others. Our phone is out of warranty, so I doubt that Apple will do anything to help us, but there was no warning of this happening. It doesn’t seem fair that a product would essentially self-destruct, even if it is to avoid the possibility of injury.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS
- Bought from
- AT&T, Michigan
- Bought
- Dec 22, 2009, about then
- Where
- Ann Arbor, Michigan: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 5, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jul 17, 2012, sent to the company Aug 6, 2012, published by CPSC Aug 20, 2012
The product, in the report: iPhone 3gS mobile phone
I have an iPhone 3gS that I use for development and as a music player. When I came home today the case had come apart (screen was mostly popped out) due to the battery being extremely bloated. It looks like it will pop at any moment. There doesn’t appear to be any damage to the motherboard but it is bowed a bit and the screws appear to have been popped from their holes. The device does not power on and this all happened in the course of a day. I was using the device yesterday and it was completely fine. It stays indoors (air conditioned) and it does not stay on a charger all the time. This is definitely a defective battery and if it explodes it could cause serious harm.
- Model
- iPhone 3gS
- Serial number
- 87929K6W3NR
- Bought from
- AT&T, Mississippi
- Bought
- Jul 1, 2009, about then
- Where
- Hattiesburg, Mississippi: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 37, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jul 16, 2012, sent to the company Aug 3, 2012, published by CPSC Aug 17, 2012
The product, in the report: Apple I-Phone model 3GS
Concerning an Apple I-phone 3GS. Every now and then it goes into what can best be called a “runaway” stage. The device uses battery power very quickly (about 1% of capacity per minute)and gets very hot (too hot to hold next to ear). The device is mostly unresponsive when this happens but phone calls can be made.
The issue was reported to AT@T in the past but they claim to have no record except for the latest instance which was yesterday and the day before. Apple also says they have no record of things like this since they rely on AT&T as their first line of defense. I am wondering if you have had any complaints about Apple phones getting very hot (too hot to use with any comfort). I am a member of IEEE and know what I am talking about. This either an RF or processor issue. Power consumption and heat go hand in hand.
Thanks. [REDACTED]
Here is the e-mail from Apple support in response to my complaint(s). I love their concern and advice “stop using the phone”. Yeah -- that fixes it.
[REDACTED],
I understand that your iPhone is becoming very hot and you consider it to be a safety hazard. I want to work with you any way I can regarding this issue, however in order to replace your device without an out of warranty repair fee, we need to have documentation that you called in regarding this particular phone concerning the heat and battery issue while it was under warranty. The warranty expired in June of 2011 according to our records, ATT shows that it expired in september of last year. I researched the case notes from every time you have called into Apple while you have had this device, and I found no documentation of heat issues or issues with the battery draining rapidly until this month. This is why I called ATT to see if they had records regarding this, and they definitively did not. If we have no documentation, as much as I would love to authorize the repair for you, I cannot. The device is over one year outside of warranty, and my decision stands. The phone can be replaced through Apple for the $149 out of warranty repair fee.
Currently if you have concerns about the safety of using the device, I strongly advise you to discontinue using the phone until you get it repaired, replaced, or upgraded.
Again: If you are concerned about safety, stop using the phone.
ATT informed me that you do have the option to upgrade your device with them, and I would recommend you investigate that option for replacing your device.
Best regards,
[REDACTED]
On Jul 12, 2012, at 11:23 PM,[REDACTED] wrote:
Thanks [REDACTED],
Also got your VM. You do a fine job. None of this is meant personally. Please keep this in your brain as you read this.
AT&T does NOT make this device. You do. (apple) or Chinese sub-contractors.
The device (iphone) takes off somehow. RF? Processor in a do loop? Dunno. HOT!!!! VERY HOTTTTT!!!
I cannot help that they (att) do not keep records. Shame on them. By the way they are YOUR (apple) ONLY partner until recently. So……. hmmmmm
I will NOT be treated like a rented mule. Please let the NEW Steve know this. This device is dangerous in my view. 1% of battery power every other minute and a HOTTTTT!!!!!! device is not good. RF probably but who knows?
I WILL be telling the Consumer Safety folks. Of course.
Third time (at least) this has happened on the phone (which you replaced once). Reported to ATT each time. Usual (not me!) hand-offs.
Heat from phone. VERY HOT!!!!!! AT&T or Apple? I think it IS the hardware. Sorry. Who owns the problem?? It should not be the consumer.
So, as I have told ATT in the past, FIX IT!, or I move on. Why it ever had to come to this is beyond me. Consumers should NOT have to give you wake-up calls. Remember the auto industry??
The good news is I have similar options and other networks. Quality, functionality (and accountability) are the reasons folks choose options. And become loyal to them. You had me once. But so did Detroit.
Your move,
[REDACTED]
- Model
- 3GS 16GB - Model MB716LL
- Serial number
- 88938K5W3NQ
- Bought from
- Apple/
AT&T - Bought
- Jun 27, 2009
- Where
- San Francisco, California: Other Public Property/
Office - Who was involved
- Age 61, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 11, 2012, sent to the company Jun 19, 2012, published by CPSC Jul 3, 2012
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 4G
My husband placed his iphone 4 on an apple charger connected to an outlet in our house at approximately 2:00 am on June 10, 2012. At approximate 6:30 am on June 10, 2012, I went to start my day and smelled something that smelled hot and electrical in our kitchen. I could not identify the source and it did not seem to be getting stronger, so I at first assumed it was my imagination.
Knowing that we were going to be leaving the house for the day in about an hour, I went to remove his phone from the charger so that I could charge mine for our trip. When I picked up his phone and started to grab the charger connector to disconnect, it was too hot to touch. I had to immediately set the phone back down. I proceeded to use the cord itself to disconnect the phone from the charger and in doing so a puff of black smoke came out of the phone and the end of the charger was glowing red.
The local [REDACTED] has replaced the phone. Am currently getting the corporate runaround with Apple to find out what happened so that I can relax and not worry about all of the other apple products that we own.
- Model
- Iphone 4G MC610LL
- Serial number
- 87117AB9A4T
- Bought from
- ATT, South Carolina
- Bought
- Mar 16, 2010, about then
- Where
- Florence, South Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple IPhone 4G, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Apr 16, 2012, sent to the company Apr 23, 2012, published by CPSC May 7, 2012
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone 4S
My Apple iPhone 4s purchased new in December 2011 all of the sudden quit holding a charge. I took it to an apple store on 4.15.12 where they hooked it up to diagnostic software and told me the battery was fine adn they just needed to change some software settings. As of 4.16.12 the phone was still no holding a charge. I took it to a non apple service store to get the battery changed and upon doing so they discovered the existing lithium battery had ruptured. This is a very dangerous fire hazard.
- Model
- iPhone 4S
- Serial number
- C8WGV2PXDT9V
- Bought from
- AT&T Wireless Online Store
- Bought
- Dec 21, 2011
- Where
- Fleming Island, Florida: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 48, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Mar 28, 2012, sent to the company Apr 4, 2012, published by CPSC Apr 18, 2012
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS, white, 16gb
iPhone 3G S has expanded from the inside causing the screen and screen surround to separate from the body. The back of the phone also has a large bulge from the expansion, resulting in a phone that is not operational. The battery seems to be what has expanded, it has not exploded yet, but I fear that it might. The phone was not exposed to the sun or any other heat, and was not plugged in. Initial expansion occurred over night, then has since expanded more almost 1 week later.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS , A1303
- UPC
- 885909256679
- Serial number
- 5K0095ZF3NQ
- Bought from
- Gift
- Where
- Santa Monica, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Feb 3, 2012, sent to the company Feb 13, 2012, published by CPSC Mar 6, 2012
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS 32GB
Happened to my iPhone 3GS 32GB. Left the phone on the bookshelf for about 2-3 months without once using it, I decided might as well sell it. When I looked at the phone the glass was pushed up, the electronic/board slightly pushed up, and the black casing was bulging with tiny hairline cracks...Recall this ASAP! This is a major health and safety risk!! The phone’s battery exploded! I don’t trust any 3GS replacement as this might happen again.
A search online reveals that this is happening to the iPhone 3GS series. Use google or any other search engine to look for “iphone 3gs exploding,” “iphone 3gs glass pushed up,” “3gsexploding”, “3gs bulging battery”, “apple iphone 3gs battery exploding,” “apple 3gs battery exploding” and so on. There are youtube videos that document this safety issue. Usually when a battery is bad, it just doesn’t take a charge anymore, there must be a bad batch of batteries that’s causing this safety risk. While I was lucky my incident was not as drastic as some other’s exploding 3gs battery thi issue is a healthy hazard. I posted a link to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/178.html at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3586644?start=0&tstart=0 and my post was erased! They don’t want customers reporting this issue but instead Apple claims http://www.mobiledia.com/news/70450.html that this happens because of external pressure to the but it’s a complete lie...I didn’t use the phone at all at it just happened, no warning, nothing BOOM! My front glass didn’t crack but it pushed the whole glass and electronics upward from it’s frame...something is definitely not right about exploding batteries!
My 3GS phone is available in case you need to test it, inspected, or use it as evidence. This safety issue needs to be addressed and not ignored by Apple, cpsc.gov can you help?
- Where
- Unspecified: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Feb 2, 2012, sent to the company Feb 10, 2012, published by CPSC Mar 5, 2012
The product, in the report: iPhone 3GS
The Battery on my iPhone 3GS exploded pushing the LCD display & logic board out of the case. This has made the product inoperable. Normally I wouldn’t be concerned about this issue however my children use this phone from time to time to play games and watch videos and if I’m concerned for their safety I can only imagine other parents in the same situation. There have been other occurrences of the same problem by other consumers on apple’s Discussion board https://discussions.apple.com/message/17476876#17476876.
- Model
- iPhone 3GS
- Bought from
- Best Buy
- Bought
- Dec 26, 2009
- Where
- Broadlands, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 37, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jan 22, 2012, sent to the company Jan 30, 2012, published by CPSC Feb 13, 2012
The product, in the report: Apple iphone 3G S BLACK
this is regarding what I believe is a dangerous situation for personal safety and or property damage, I have had my Apple Iphone 3gS for a little over two years, which made there optional apple care warranty worthless, I noticed the iphone feeling very warm in my pocket, I removed it and the iphone was actually expanding in size and becoming very hot,
the phone became to hot to hold and I dropped it, and noticed a small amount of smoke and an odor from the iphone, at first I thought it must be a short or battery problem, and it was a battery problem, the battery had expanded to the point where it split open the back of the case,
I called apple care and the women I spoke to seemed very concerned about it, and asked me to send pictures, which I did, she said she would refer this to the safety department, and get right back to me, and that she might be able to give me another iphone,
she sent me a follow up email asking for pictures of burns on my hand, I told her I did not have burns, as I dropped the iphone when it became to hot to hold, upon learning I was not hurt she said the safety department said this is normal and the battery should be replaced every two years, which I believe is ridiculous,
first I can not find anywhere in my owners manual or paper work where it is stated that the battery may expand or explode if not replaced every two years,
second replacing the battery is not something the average consumer can do , as it just does not pop out like many cell phones , the iphone must be completely disassembled, with many very tiny screws and cables,
she told me if I signed a three year contract with ATT I would receive another iphone which I did not think was very fair as this is to just tie me up with another contract, and for there profit, while I am out hundreds of dollars,
I googled this problem and found this website, where other people are having the same problem here is the link and I also have posted the pictures of my iphone on that site, also the battery did finally explode and completely shattered the back of the case destroying the phone completely, the pictures are on that website and I could also supply them to you if you like, here is the website
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1742082-iPhone-3GS-Battery-Expanded-and-Pushed-Out-Front-Glass
I feel that not everyone with this problem would know of this website so this is just a small sample of what may be a big problem, and it would take government authority to find what Apple has in its records regarding this dangerous situation,
I still have what is left of the iphone
- Model
- IPHONE 3G S A130388921UZ33NP
- UPC
- 8 85909 3177 5
- Serial number
- 88921UZ33NP
- Bought from
- EBAY
- Bought
- Jan 1, 2010, about then
- Where
- Tucson, Arizona: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 64, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- No Relationship
- As this report names them
- Brand APPLE IPHONE, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
First aid Made Aug 16, 2011, published by CPSC Sep 14, 2011
The product, in the report: iPhone dock connector to USB cable, white, issued in box with iPhone 3G
All 3 (three) of my Apple iPhone dock connector to USB cables have become unreasonably dangerous after typical use in a period less than 1 (one) year. I experienced mild electrical shock after coming into contact with exposed and frayed wires at the dock connector end of the cable (NOT the USB end). It is apparent that the plastic coating on wire becomes loose and tears, exposing the wire. Furthermore, this occurs at the hand’s contact point to the cable, making electrical shock especially likely.
Electrical tape proved to be an effective but temporary remedy to this problem.
- Bought from
- AT&T, New York
- Bought
- Aug 15, 2008
- Where
- spring valley, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 23, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Other Relative
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
-
No one hurt Made Jul 2, 2011, published by CPSC Jul 26, 2011
The product, in the report: Apple iPhone Charger, either 3G or 3GS
I was charging my iPhone using the adapter. At 1:00am, there was a flash, a loud pop and the acrid smell of burning. The plug-in charger short-circuited. The cord, iPhone and a lamp that was plugged in to the same electric outlet were fine.
- Model
- Model No.: A1265
- Serial number
- 1X8266KUUZJ3
- Where
- Niles, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 47, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Apple IPhone Charger, made or sold by Apple Inc.
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Nov 5, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.