The encyclopedia · Product & Design · Product decision · 2008–2026
Dynabook's 2008 adapters: still catching fire eight years into the recall
Toshiba-era laptop adapters from 2008–2012 melt their plugs into fires. Recalled 2018, re-announced 2024, and still burning in 2026 — stop using, exchange free.
Dynabook · Toshiba · 2026-07-14
What happened
Between April 2008 and December 2012, Toshiba shipped laptop AC adapters whose plug can melt into a fire. Dynabook, which inherited the PC business, opened a free exchange on June 22, 2018, and re-announced it on February 21, 2024.
The fires did not stop. On July 14, 2026, Dynabook published another notice — smoke and fire events still occur — asking owners to stop using the affected adapters immediately and apply for the free exchange; the Consumer Affairs Agency lists the recall with a plug-melting fire on record.
Eighteen-year-old adapters are still plugged in behind desks that changed owners twice. The recall's job is not to fix a batch but to outlast the installed base.
Why it happened
- The plug can melt into a fire — adapters shipped Apr 2008–Dec 2012, exchange opened Jun 22, 2018, re-announced Feb 21, 2024
- Smoke and fire events still occur in 2026, eight years into the exchange — the July 14, 2026 notice is the recall admitting its own tail
- No unit count published, no expiry on the exchange — the company's only lever is a notice asking owners to look behind the desk
The lesson
A recall without an expiry date is a maintenance cost, not a campaign — Dynabook is still paying for 2008's plug in 2026 notices. The installed base outlives the brand.
Sources
- Dynabook — 東芝製パソコン用ACアダプター使用中止のお願い（発煙・発火の恐れ） (Jul 2026)
- 消費者庁リコール情報 — Dynabook ACアダプター（ノートパソコン用）交換 (Jun 2018)
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