RECALL

This recall involves Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks with model number A1263. The brand name “Anker” is engraved on the front of the product. The model number “A1263” and serial number “SN” are printed on the bottom. Only model number A1263 power banks sold in the U.S. with qualifying serial numbers are included in the recall. Consumers should check their serial number at https://www.anker.com/product-recalls to determine whether their power bank is included in the recall.

I got an email from the "Amazon Product Safety Team" about this device, since I purchased one from them in 2018.

1.158 million units produced, and 19 reports (per FoxBusiness.com) of catastrophic battery fires translates to a failure rate of 1:60,947.

I've been using this thing for 7 years. With a reported hazardous failure rate of one in sixty-one thousand- is it even worth bothering with? Anker wants you to take a picture of a near-microscopic serial number on the power bank. I can manage it, but more than a few people might not. My iPhone 13 doesn't have macro capability (but I have a DSLR and macro lens capable of doing this), though I know the Pro version of later iPhones do.

That aside, though- is this something that would concern you, after many years of use?

I got the recall notice too. If I can find the power bank brick I’ll see if it’s recalled. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I may have given it away to someone. I have no idea who.

I got the recall for it as well from an Amazon purchase in 2017, it has been a great power bank all these years. I opted for the new power bank to be sent to me, just have to submit pictures of it (a pia by the way)and the purchase code. I still want to keep it I liked it so much and definitely wouldn’t take it on an airplane but I figure I had it 8 years I’ll probably dispose of it.

Problem is they don't tell you what causes the problem.

You drop it from 10 feet and two wires inside short out? Not worth taking a chance and burning your house down.

If there are willing to replace it at little to no effort on my end, why not? You can end up with newer replacement unit. Still, you are always rolling the dice. The new one may be a POS, and the old one works.

Anker says they are doing this "out of an abundance of caution". To me, that means they know the word has gotten out about this handful of supposed incidents and now the grifters are going to descend.

I don't know there's a problem at all, but yeah, I'll get a replacement from them.

I also got this notice. This is my go-to power bank. Never had any issues. I'll be live chatting with them tomorrow to see what their plan is for replacement.

I also did the replacement option…use the battery all of the time and was hoping to take it as a backup for our Europe trip in a few weeks. I’ll find an alternative.

PARA - there magnifying light app that should work with your phone. It also allows you to take a magnified picture, too.

The only time I've seen a smaller serial number is on SIM cards.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
The only time I've seen a smaller serial number is on SIM cards.

I had to use my phone magnifier with my reading glasses to read it.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:


That aside, though- is this something that would concern you, after many years of use?

The danger is with the 10000 in the name, this is well within the TSA limit for power banks. The TSA just restricted power banks in March 2025 because a power bank started a fire in the carry on luggage compartment in January 2025, Air Busan Flight 391 in South Korea.

Wikipedia article - Busan Flight 391

The restriction limits power banks to 27,000mAH and 100 Watt-Hours. Anything above 100 and below 160 Watt-hours require airline approval. Over 160 Watt-hours are forbidden.

Additionally, the power banks cannot be in checked in bags or carry-on bags but in personal bags under the seat in front of you. I just checked / googled the TSA website and it still says power banks can be carry on bags and less than 160 Watt hours can be in checked bags. But that doesn't make sense given the details of the Busan flight. I got my info from updated YouTube videos because I've been researching prior to an upcoming air travel. The more restrictive scenario sounds more accurate.

If they're offering a replacement, I would take them up on it. I don't know the mechanics of what causes them to heat up and become fire hazards. At the very least, I would imagine it's in play if the power bank is plugged in or being used to power something.

Of four power banks I have, three of them are Anker and the 4th just came with some equipment I bought. I just threw one yesterday because it's close to 10 years at least and wasn't charging any more. I have a routine of running them down and charging them every 3 months.

I'm surprised that they ever let people put these power banks- of any capacity- in checked luggage.

I was under the impression that lithium batteries if any kind were verboten in checked bags.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
I was under the impression that lithium batteries if any kind were verboten in checked bags.

That's my understanding too. I just completed my first airline trip in 11 years, so I've been updating myself on the rules for the last month. I saw something about power banks over a certain capacity being prohibited and below that capacity OK for carry-on, but all lithium batteries being strictly no-no in checked bags. The reason given was because flight crews are trained in how to deal with a fire, but there's nothing they can do if the fire is in the cargo bay. I didn't pay a lot of attention to what the limiting power bank capacity number is, because I don't own any.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
The reason given was because flight crews are trained in how to deal with a fire, but there's nothing they can do if the fire is in the cargo bay.

Yes, remember this horrible crash?

ValuJet Flight 592

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
The reason given was because flight crews are trained in how to deal with a fire, but there's nothing they can do if the fire is in the cargo bay.

Yes, remember this horrible crash?

ValuJet Flight 592

There is fire suppression in the cargo areas now as a result of that crash.

Halon isn't going to do jack shit to extinguish a battery fire. The fire needs to be cooled, which means lots of liquid. Halon displaces Oxygen, which will smother a paper fire that needs O2 from the air. It will also kill any pets traveling in crates as cargo or checked luggage.

Battery fires are self fueling.

In the cabin the flight attendants have fire bags which a burning laptop or battery bank can be put into and then flooded with liquid. Water, soda, coffee, etc.

I still haven’t found my Anker power bank, but did find that one of my Imuto brand “bricks” is beginning to swell and has developed some small cracks in the plastic case. I guess I should recycle all of these damned things, as my current phone’s battery life has been far more than sufficient for my limited use.

Well, I entered my serial number on the recall form page and it says "*The information you provided is not related to the affected batch. It is safe to use"

So, apparently, not every Model A1263 is affected.

Thanks for posting this. I have a 535.