SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20250820-48DF2-2147328496. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Apple iPhone 16 Plus (Apple iPhone 16 Plus, color black, smartphone. The device features a 6.7-inch display with dimensions approximately 6.33 inches (160.8 mm) height 3.06 inches (77.6 mm) width 0.31 inches (7.8 mm) depth. Weight is approximately 7.09 ounces (201 grams). The back is made of glass with aluminum edges.). Incident: On August 14, 2025, my iPhone 16 Plus began randomly restarting. On August 15, the battery began swelling. By the end of the day, the back glass cracked and detached, the device became very hot, and when charging, it emitted a burning smell. The battery was visibly expanding and exposed, posing a serious fire risk. I immediately sought help: -Best Buy (authorized Apple repair): Refused service due to back glass damage caused by the swelling battery. -Apple Store, Century City Mall: A staff member acknowledged the danger but said no appointments were available that day. Within hours, the phones back glass was completely separated, leaving the swollen battery exposed. Fearing fire or explosion, I had no choice but to use a third-party repair shop to remove and replace the battery immediately. The phone continued malfunctioning (random restarts) through August 20. When I returned to the Apple Store and explained everything, Apple refused warranty service because of the third-party repair and told me to purchase a new phone. They also returned the device with the back glass not properly secured, leaving the battery partially exposed again. This was a manufacturer's defect and a clear safety hazard. Apple's refusal to provide timely service left me at risk of fire, smoke, or injury. I am reporting this incident to the CPSC for investigation.