Tesla recalls Powerwall 2 AC Battery System due to fire hazards

Tesla has another reminder on his hands – and this time, it doesn’t involve its electric cars.

On Thursday, Tesla released a recall notice for its Powerwall 2 AC battery system and has instituted a replacement program for the approximately 10,500 affected units in the United States. Tesla’s Powerwall 2 AC battery system is a residential or light commercial solution for storing solar or grid-generated energy.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “the lithium-ion battery cells in some Powerwall 2 systems may prevent the unit from operating during normal use.” A faulty appliance may overheat and, in some cases, produce smoke or flame and may [sic] cause death or serious injury due to fire and burn hazards,” the official CPSC recall notice states.

The affected units were purchased on Tesla’s website and through certified installation technicians for $8,000 between November 2020 and December 2022, according to the CPSC. Tesla attributes the problem to a “third-party battery cell defect.”

The CPSC says it has received 22 reports of Tesla’s Powerwall 2 AC battery system overheating. Of these reports, six involved smoking rooms and five resulted in fires, which caused minor property damage. No injuries have been reported in connection with the device.

Tesla says it has already “remote discharged” almost all of the affected units, meaning they no longer pose a risk. All remaining units will be unloaded manually by technicians. Additionally, all affected Powerwall 2 units will be removed and replaced at no cost to customers.

Powerwall 2 owners should check their Tesla app for any updates from the company.