---
title: "Amazon Products Are Reportedly Exploding and Catching Fire"
description: "AmazonBasics products seem to have a troublesome tendency to explode or catch fire. Despite that, many troublesome products are still avaialbe online."
date: "2020-09-11"
modified: "2020-09-11"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/amazon-products-exploding-catching-fire"
categories:
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "Amazon"
  - "electronics"
  - "the digest"
---

# Amazon Products Are Reportedly Exploding and Catching Fire

![AmazonBasics products seem to have a troublesome tendency to explode or catch fire. Despite that, many troublesome products are still avaialbe online.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/amazon-products-exploding-catching-fire.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Fire Hazard

In recent years, more than 1,500 customers have reported that their Amazon-made electronics are sparking, catching fire, and even exploding.

Reports include poorly-made microwaves that spark and smoke when they're turned on, USB cords that heat up and start fires, and others, *[CNN ](<https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/10/business/amazonbasics-electronics-fire-safety-invs/index.html>)*[reports](<https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/10/business/amazonbasics-electronics-fire-safety-invs/index.html>). The common thread is that they were all made by AmazonBasics rather than third-party sellers. And despite clear safety hazards, many of the products in question are still on the market.

## Return Policy

Amazon has ended up in hot water for shoddy goods in the past, like when third-party vendors were busted selling [moldy and spoiled food](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/amazon-delivering-moldy-spoiled-food>). But these electrical problems, which *CNN* reports have caused house and car fires that caused personal injuries, all stem from products made by Amazon itself.

"This is more than a reliability problem, this is a potential safety problem," Michael Pecht, an engineer who evaluated the troublesome products at *CNN*'s request, told the network.

## Pull The Plug

Amazon told *CNN* that it responds to reports of hazardous items by pulling them from the marketplace or even changing the products themselves. Amazon indeed removed some of the dangerous items, but *CNN* found that dozens more that were still there.

The company also downplayed the problem. While experts told *CNN* that the number of customers complaining about the same fire hazards reduces the odds that the problem was user error, Amazon said that relying on customer complaints can be "misleading."

**READ MORE:** [Dozens of Amazon's own products have been reported as dangerous -- melting, exploding or even bursting into flames. Many are still on the market](<https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/10/business/amazonbasics-electronics-fire-safety-invs/index.html>) \[*CNN*\]

**More on Amazon:** *[Amazon Keeps Delivering Moldy, Spoiled Food to Customers](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/amazon-delivering-moldy-spoiled-food>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)