“Cricket EZ” Cell Phones Recalled; Audio Problem Interferes with Emergency 911 Calls

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “Cricket EZ” Cellular Phones

Units: About 285,000

Distributor: Cricket Communications, of San Diego, Calif. (subsidiary of Leap Wireless International Inc.)

Hazard: A software problem with the cell phones causes audio problems with 911 calls. When a call is connected to 911, the operator may not hear the caller or the caller may not hear the 911 operator.

Incidents/Injuries: Cricket has received two reports of the audio not working properly when a consumer placed a call to 911. No injuries were reported.

Description: This recall involves the “Cricket EZ” cellular phone. The cell phones are small, black and silver bar-style. “Cricket” is printed on top of the phone above the display panel. Model number “CRKJ88BKIT” is located on a label inside the battery compartment behind the battery. Units that have a model number that ends with a “B” (“CRKJ88BKITB”), units that have a green dot on the inside label, and units that were sold after March 2008 are not included in this recall.

Sold by: Cricket stores and independent dealers nationwide from February 2008 through March 2008 for about $90.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately return their phone to Cricket for a free software repair. Cricket is directly contacting consumers who purchased these cell phones to alert them to the recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cricket toll-free at (866) 441-1577 between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. MT Monday through Saturday, and between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. MT on Sunday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mycricket.com