Anker Power Banks: Fire Risk Sparks Lawsuit

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Anker Innovations sells power banks with serious fire hazards due to lithium-ion battery overheating, despite marketing them as safe.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased recalled Anker power bank models (specifically PowerCore 10000 Model A1263, and other recalled models).

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Anker Innovations, a popular tech accessories brand, sells powerbanks that pose serious fire hazards and have faced a series of recalls, a new lawsuit claims. 

The lawsuit alleges that the company misled consumers about the safety of multiple models, some of which were on the market for nearly a decade, despite the known risks associated with lithium-ion battery overheating.

Plaintiff Describes Deep Unease After Learning of Defect

Christopher Hall, a New York City resident who owns one of the recalled power banks, filed the proposed class action lawsuit. Hall says he purchased an Anker PowerCore 10000 (Model A1263) from Amazon and carried it regularly in his bag, trusting Anker’s promises of safety and quality. 

He later received a recall notice and discovered that his device was among the affected products. Hall never experienced an incident, but the realization that he had been carrying a device capable of catching fire has left him deeply unsettled, according to the lawsuit.

As the lawsuit points out, Hall is not alone with millions of units having been recalled, and Anker itself has acknowledged the risk of overheating, melting plastic components, smoke, and even fire.

Lithium-Ion Batteries at Center of Device Failures

The core issue centers on the lithium-ion batteries used in the affected Anker models. These types of batteries are known to be vulnerable to “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that can lead to intense heat buildup, fire, or explosions. 

According to the lawsuit, Anker not only failed to prevent this hazard but heavily marketed its products as being especially safe, boasting features like a “MultiProtect” safety system.

Despite this marketing, Anker initiated a recall of its PowerCore 10000 units in June 2025 after reports of overheating and fire incidents. At least 19 such cases have been reported, including consumer injuries and tens of thousands of dollars in property damage, the lawsuit states. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission confirmed the risk, and Anker has since recalled several other power bank models worldwide, including in China, the UK, and Australia.

Other Tech Companies Face Similar Fire-Related Claims

Anker isn't the only tech company under legal scrutiny for potentially dangerous products powered by lithium-ion batteries. Swagtron, a well-known manufacturer of electric scooters and hoverboards, has faced multiple lawsuits and recalls in recent years after reports of devices spontaneously catching fire or exploding. 

Jeep, owned by Stellantis, is also under fire after battery fires in its plug-in hybrid vehicles, particularly the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. 

In the home appliance space, AstroAI, a maker of portable refrigerators and car accessories, is facing a lawsuit over its minifridges allegedly posing a fire risk to users due to dodgy wiring. 

In his lawsuit, Hall is seeking to represent a nationwide class of people who bought any of the recalled Anker models for personal or household use. He’s suing under New York consumer protection laws, as well as for unjust enrichment, and asking the court for damages, refunds, and an injunction to stop Anker from continuing deceptive practices.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Hall v. Fantasia Trading LLC, et al.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-05505
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Mark S. Reich and Michael N. Pollack (Levi & Korsinsky, LLP)
• Jason P. Sultzer and Daniel Markowitz (Sultzer & Lipari, PLLC)

Do you own an Anker power bank? Have you experienced overheating or other issues? Share your story below.