Bought a Bravia TV between July 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008? You might want to check whether it’s still safe to use; Sony’s issued a safety recall on models sold in Australia in that time period due to fire risk.
Looks like that worldwide recall of Sony BRAVIAs affects Australian models too. The ACCC recall page has the details. The specific models are the KDL-40X3100, KDL-40XBR and KDL-40W3100, sold nationally between July 2007 and December 2008. It notes that
The television may ignite internally and emit smoke while in use.”
That would rather solidly worry me. What’s happening is that a component within the TV may overheat and ignite at the upper rear of affected televisions. Sony’s started up a programme to inspect potentially affected TVs and perform repairs where needed; if you’ve got a TV that falls into the potentially affected batch you can call Sony on 1300 13 7669 to arrange an inspection of your telly. [ACCC]
Image: Ambient Ideas
Matthew K
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 9:44 AMOh dear. I just bought my first ever Bravia last month. Thankfully I think it was a model from earlier this year (around May-July), but I’ll have to keep an eye on it.
…as if I’d be looking anywhere else while it was in operation anyway.
…
*buys more smoke alarms*
Sam
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 11:55 AMWhile I would be a little concerned if I owned one of these models (unlike James below who clearly isn’t) – I wouldn’t worry about newer models. Sony aren’t a brand known for frequent hardware failures and recalls; or at least, no more so that Samsung, LG and the other top tier consumer electronics manufacturers.
For what it’s worth, I bought my first ever Bravia ~6-8 weeks ago too (a CX520) and it’s being going great guns ever since.
luke
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 12:34 PMwhen did LG become ‘top tier’ ?
Sam
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 12:44 PMSure, I too (personally) wouldn’t call them a premium brand – but the quality of their products are really open to personal opinion; unless you want to open the discussion to failure rate statistics, and if so – please provide a source to say they’re any worse than any other major brand.
One thing that is hard to argue the market share they command. I’d argue that everyone knows a least one person who owns an LG TV (if they don’t own one themselves) – where as you’d find the number of people who own RankArena, AWA, Onix (and etc) brand TV’s significantly less.
Matthew K
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 12:54 PMMy last TV was a 32″ LG and I consider them on par with Samsung in terms of price versus quality – my only issue with it was that we wanted to go bigger since we have more room now than we did 2 1/2 years ago. Other than that, it’s been working perfectly.
I know LG isn’t regarded too highly but I consider them quite good. I’m cetainly no expect, I can only go based on what I’ve experienced. Of course the Bravia is on a whole other level, but that might have more to do with 3 years of technical advancement than inter-brand discrepancies. I didn’t look at LGs when I was out shopping 3 weeks ago.
James
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10:24 AMI got mine around that time. Don’t have any problems with it and can’t be arsed to have anyone look at it.
Whatever.
JonBOY
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 11:54 AM…..you may not have any problems, but the whole point is that it could be a ticking time bomb.
James
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 12:24 PMI still can’t be arsed.
JonBOY
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 12:41 PMfair enough then. I have a 46″ Bravia XBR that was released during this period I think, I got it whilst the ‘free PS3 with every Bravia’ promo was on. Anyways, the 46″ XBR has a common screen fault which I had to get fixed, but my girlfriend who has the same TV (got it at the same time) could’t be arsed having hers fixed either.
Matthew K
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 1:06 PMI’m pretty sure that was June/July and maybe August of 20080 – I recall seeing the advertisements for the deal around the time I got married, so that date kind of sticks with me. :P
johnd
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 12:44 PMExcellent! 6 months from now, your TV catches fire and burns down your house. Your insurance company refuses to pay since you ignored the Sony recall. My insurance premiums stay down, the cost of Sony TV stays down as they don’t have to absorb the cost of inspecting and repairing your TV.
Everyone wins … except you.
Morkai
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 2:11 PMhmm, i’m pretty sure I got mine around that time frame, I’ll check out the model number when I get home tonight.
Richard
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 5:53 PMI wanted to get it inspected, but the technician only work 9-3 on weekdays. I wasn’t allowed to book a specific time (meaning I can only book a date and the technician will call me on that time regarding when he will come for the inspection). I can’t take a day off just to get my tv inspected.
jason
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 6:24 PMI have a 46X3100 is it only the 40″ models, that’s all that’s written on the website
Ben
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 6:26 PMI have the KDL40XBR never had an issue with it but this has me worried now. Will they offer a compensation?? I will ring them tomorrow.
Sam
Friday, October 14, 2011 at 7:44 AMCompensation? Pfft yeah… Seriously though, don’t count on it. Standard industry practice is to repair the fault on units found to be affected, not to give customers financial compensation.
Bill S. Preston Esq.
Friday, October 14, 2011 at 9:17 AMThis is such BS..
I have a KDL40X2000 that has been having power issues – No over heating, just failure to power up. Sony Tech came and said I need a new power board. The beauty of the situation is that I have been told, they no longer make this part, and that I should BUY A NEW TV!
On a Bravia that is only 4 years old.
THANKS $ONY!
Torpedo
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:45 AMHello Bill,
I have the same model Sony Bravia KDL-40X2000 and same problem.
What did you end up doing?
Cheers.
Davo
Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 9:44 PMHi guys
Sony are c—-s, the ACCC should know about the way they are denying repair problems for the last 5 years. The LCD panels are a common failure that too many people accept as ‘one off’ situations. If it was a brake failure of a ford or holden, the country would be aware of it. Go to Song USA sitie, these TV’s are being recalled and repaired until October 2012 including my KDL-46 – but not in Australia – whats that about ???
Mike
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 4:56 PMI spoke to Sony Australia and they said that of all the TVs they have inspected, none had the instantaneous combustion problem as per recall.
Roy
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 12:23 AMIn 2007 I bought a Sony KDL40X2000 and having continuous problems, the unit just powers down, switching off and back on by its self within 15sec. I have the extended Marsh warranty for 5 years which finish this year, during this time I have had 6 service calls, 3 of 6 the TV unit was picked up and taken for further investigation over several weeks each time were the technicians said no faults were registered and could not find the problem but yet did replace the digital tuner and some over parts….the problem still occurs. I have gone to the ACCC and they could not do any thing to help, as Sony and Marsh extended warranty both claim no faults were found with my unit and could not offer any replacement. This is an outrange as I’m stuck with a S**T SONY TV