160,000 Jitterbug cell phones recalled

Samsung Jitterbug phones recalled: the SPH-a120, left, and SPH-a110, right. (Click to enlarge.) [Photo: CPSC]

Samsung and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a recall of Jitterbug cell phones, some of which can fail to connect to 911 under some circumstances.

Affected model numbers are SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 with version BB14 software.

The CPSC reports that Samsung and Jitterbug are contacting customers directly to schedule a free software upgrade. If you own one of the recalled models and haven't yet been contacted, call Samsung toll-free at (866) 304-4980.

Comments

[everett whitney]

Re: " Jitterbug 911 problems in Very Remote Areas Only..."

Chances are there these same regions w/o sufficient "bars" to lock on / establish signaling would NOT have any available emergency services, either !

Any customer legitimately in need of such a Jitterbug phone has no business being in such a Remote Location to begin with!

everett

[Sue Weaver]

Dear Consumers,
We recently learned that Jitterbug phones shipped to customers between March 2008 and April 16th of 2009 had an issue with the handset software that might prevent 911 calls from being completed in certain areas where preferred coverage – meaning normal Jitterbug carrier support – is not available. These would be remote areas that would not have the normal coverage. Less than one hundredth of one percent of Jitterbug customers are in the known potentially affected areas. But, just to be safe, we are upgrading this software for 160,000 of our handsets. As always, Jitterbug’s primary concern is for the safety and security of our customers, and we are going that extra mile to ensure we deliver outstanding customer care.

Sue Weaver
VP, Customer Service
Jitterbug