Apple Inc. announced Friday that it is recalling some European iPhone 5W USB adapters because of a possibility of overheating that could cause safety issues.
The adapter comes with the iPhone, but it can also be sold as a separate accessory, according to CNET.
The company said that the recall only affects plugs that were sold with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S between October 2009 and September 2012.
The recall affects adapters that have the model number "A1300" on the bottom of the unit. The company promised that the plugs would be replaced free of charge at an Apple store or authorized Apple service provider, Forbes reported.
"Customer safety is always Apple's top priority, and we have voluntarily decided to exchange every affected power adapter for a new, redesigned adapter, free of charge," Apple said. "We encourage customers to exchange any affected adapter for a new one as soon as possible using the exchange process below."
The company will swap affected iPhones for redesigned versions, CNET reported. People who have a plug that has already overheated are advised to contact App for a refund of the cost of the replacement. Anyone who bought his/her iPhones in the time period announced by Apple and is worried that it might overheat can have the device exchanged after verifying the phone's serial number.
Apple said it has "voluntarily introduced a program for customers to exchange the Apple 5W European USB Power Adapter which came with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models through September 2012, because in rare cases the adapter may overheat and pose a safety risk."
The company added that full details about the program could be found at https://www.apple.com/support/usbadapter-european/.
Adapters with the model number A1300 and the letters CE outlined in grey are not affected by the recall, CNET reported.
The recall affects most of Europe and the Nordic countries, as well as Vietnam, Egypt and South Africa.
