Sure Signal Exploded - serious safety issue

[jv]

Today my Sure Signal V3, which I've had for 2 years, blew up.

Lucky I was in the room at the time. I was shocked to learn that this is far from an isolated incident. The forum is full of other examples. See the following thread (among other on the topic):

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-Sure-Signal/Sure-Signal-v3-blew-up/m-p/2321899#M65197

Same symptoms as other posters have described: a loud bang and flash of flame from the unit, a smell of burning and a rattle in the unit afterwards.

Very worrying that Vodafone have know about this issue for years without effectively remedying it. Vodafone need to sort this potential health and safety issue as a priority before some gets hurt or worse.

[DaveCD]

@jv

I'm sorry to hear about the experience you've had.

So that we can look into this further, see the private message I've sent for how to get in touch.

[jv]

Thanks for the stock response inviting me to contact 191.

I have already done that and Vodafone have offered to replace my sure signal unit.

But this does not address the safety concerns with the Sure Signal - which apply generally to all users. Vodafone need to acknowledge this generally applicable safety issue and remedy it for all users.

[jtoshack]

Today I also had a serious incident with my Vodafone Sure Signal. The device appeared to not be working correctly, I attempted to turn it on/off at the mains power.  As I flicked the switch an explosion occured inside the device.  A large flame was emitted, accompanied by a loud noise, and the circuit breaker was triggered.  The device is now blackened and there is a loose component inside.

Could you please arrange for someone from the Customer Service department to contact me ASAP to discuss.

[Retired-EricChe]

@jtoshack

I'm sorry to hear of the experience you've had. We'll happily look into this for you.

I've sent you a private message with details on how to get in touch.

[gsmsecure]

NO LIGHTS ON A SureSignal V3 IS INDICATION OF A SERIOUS & DANGEROUS INTERNAL FAILURE.

This has the potential to cause the unit to explode internally, trip your 32amp mains electric breaker and go with a very large bang and a flash.. if it's not already done so..

If there are no lights on your SureSignal V3, remove it immediately from the socket and see the posting I made here:

https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-Sure-Signal/Suresignal-V3-Overheated-Hot-Burnt-out-amp-Dead...

Please see the post regarding reporting this issue to Trading Standards and BBC's Watchdog.

If you put a message on the end of my post, Vodafone will contact you directly to arrange a FREE replacement regardless of warranty status and when you purchased it..

Oh.. don't forget to claim for the defrosted contents of the fridge/ freezer under consequential damages of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 or Consumer Rights Act 2015 depending on when you purchased it.

[gsmsecure]

JV

Did you actually see the flame emanate from the casing?

If you did, can you PM asap as Vodafone have used the fact the flame is enclosed and cannot escape as a way to avoid a recall.

If you have seen a flash externally from the casing this is a game changer as it has potential to ignite external material such as curtains or furnishings.

"Lancashire Trading Standards are not in a position to have any testing carried out on the units, they are no longer being sold and a new unit rather than a used one would be required.  This model was no longer sold after August 2015 and remaining stock has been disposed of, from what we have seen when the units fail the casing has not been breached. Trading Standards will continue to monitor reported failure rates on the boxes as they come in via Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline."

[ricky101uk]

Dear vidafone

today while I was putting my children to bed, I heard a massive explosion and subsequently my smoke alarm activated. Upon further investigation and noting that my downstairs ring main had tripped, I saw smoke coming from my V3 Vodafone sure signal followed by an acrid smell of burning.

i managed to unplug the Vodafone sure signal and put it somewhere safe. But it seems like it exploded and caught fire.

im so lucky that I noticed it, and especially concerned seeing as my children where upstairs asleep.

i are from various posts this is not an isolated incident and these units are having catastrophic failures, including smoke and fires.

a similar company manufacturing tumble dryers come to mind, but in my view are dealing with the issue.

serial number of unit is 42142810797

can you please advise what you are planning to do with this specific incident, what I should do in terms of replacing this unit, and does this need escalating to trading standards BEFORE someone is seriously hurt or something more?

i look forward to your response.

Richard Hill

[Mark]

@ricky101uk I'm sorry to hear there was a problem with your Sure Signal. So we can help with this, please contact us via the link in the private message I've sent.

[darrennettleton]

I have had 3 of these boxes now and they have all failed with this same issue.

Who do I contact about it as there is clearly a design fault.