In the grey morning light at Vancouver’s Main Street SkyTrain station, I watched as Madeline Chen frantically searched through her backpack. “I can’t believe I left my charger at home again,” she muttered, pulling out an Anker power bank instead. Little did she know that the device she was clutching—a lifeline for her dying phone—was among thousands now deemed a potential fire hazard.
Last week, Health Canada issued a nationwide recall affecting nearly 84,000 Anker portable power banks sold between March 2022 and April 2025. The recall specifically targets the popular PowerCore Essential 20000 PD and PowerCore Slim 10000 PD models after multiple reports of overheating, with at least three confirmed incidents resulting in property damage in British Columbia and Ontario.
“We’ve documented cases where these units have literally melted through backpacks,” explains fire investigator Damien Rousseau, who consulted on one of the Vancouver incidents. “In one case, a customer had the device in their car’s center console when it began smoking. They managed to throw it out before a serious fire started, but the interior sustained significant damage.”
The technical issue stems from a manufacturing defect in certain lithium-ion battery cells that can cause thermal runaway—a dangerous chain reaction where rising temperatures trigger further heating. According to Health Canada’s safety notice, the affected models can be identified by specific serial numbers located on the underside of the units.
When I visited Anker’s Canadian distribution center in Richmond yesterday, staff were already processing returns. “Consumer safety is our absolute priority,” says Mei Wong, Anker’s Canadian operations manager. “We’re offering full refunds plus a 20% bonus credit toward any replacement product once we’ve resolved the manufacturing issues.”
For Chen and the estimated 84,000 other Canadians with potentially affected devices, the recall process is straightforward. Consumers can check if their power bank is affected by entering the serial number on Anker’s dedicated recall website or by calling their Canadian support line.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Anker, which has built its reputation on safety and reliability in the competitive portable charging market. According to market research firm Techwise Analytics, portable power banks have become essential accessories for nearly 68% of Canadian smartphone users, with sales surging 34% during recent summer power outages across Ontario and Quebec.
For many Canadians, these devices aren’t just conveniences but necessities. Last summer, I interviewed residents in Northern British Columbia communities who relied on power banks during extended outages following intense thunderstorms. Elders in the Stellat’en First Nation used portable power sources to keep medical devices running when grid power failed.
Dr. Natalie Hernandez, an electrical engineering professor at the University of British Columbia who specializes in battery technology, puts the risk in perspective. “Lithium-ion battery failures are relatively rare, but when they do occur, they can be dramatic and dangerous,” she tells me during a lab visit where she demonstrates safety testing procedures. “The recall is absolutely necessary, but people shouldn’t panic about every rechargeable device they own.”
Consumer protection advocates are watching Anker’s response closely. “The company has historically handled previous smaller recalls well,” notes Samantha Trudeau from Consumer Safety Network Canada. “But this is their largest recall action in Canada to date, and how they manage it will significantly impact consumer trust.”
For those wondering about safely disposing of affected devices, Environment Canada warns against simply throwing power banks in household trash. Lithium-ion batteries require special handling at designated electronic waste facilities. The recall process includes instructions for proper return shipping with fire-resistant packaging provided by Anker.
As Chen scrolled through the recall notice on her phone at the SkyTrain station, her expression shifted from annoyance to concern. “I use this thing every day,” she said, turning the power bank over to check the serial number. “I never thought about it being a fire risk.”
The Anker recall serves as a reminder of our quiet dependency on the lithium-ion powered devices that fill our pockets and bags. While the affected units represent only a fraction of the portable power banks in Canadian homes, the incident highlights the importance of responding to recall notices and understanding the technology we carry with us daily.
If you own an Anker power bank, check your device against the recall information available on Health Canada’s website or contact Anker’s Canadian customer service at 1-800-988-7973. The company estimates the recall process will take approximately 3-4 weeks to complete.
