June 17, 2026 — A consumer recently reported an incident involving a RoadPro RP-255 power cord that melted and deformed when connected to a vehicle’s cigarette lighter port, prompting fears of a potential fire hazard. The incident highlights significant safety concerns regarding aftermarket power accessories.
Product Details
Incident Overview
According to an incident report dated May 29, 2026, a consumer purchased a RoadPro RP-255 power cord from Amazon.com. After using the power cord a handful of times without issue, the consumer connected it to a standard cigarette lighter port in their vehicle. Shortly after connection, the power cord reportedly melted and became deformed. The consumer expressed serious concerns about the safety of the product, specifically citing a potential fire hazard, and stated they are now afraid to use it.
Safety Concerns
The melting and deformation of an electrical power cord, especially within a vehicle’s confined space, presents a severe safety risk.
- Immediate Dangers: Overheating of electrical components can quickly lead to an electrical fire. Inside a vehicle, a fire can spread rapidly, endangering occupants and potentially causing explosions if fuel lines are compromised.
- Long-Term Risks: Even if an immediate fire does not occur, compromised insulation or internal wiring from melting can lead to intermittent shorts, arcing, or continued overheating, posing a latent fire risk every time the product is used or even left connected.
- Who Might Be Affected: Vehicle occupants are at direct risk of burns from direct contact with the hot, melting cord, smoke inhalation, or injury from a vehicle fire. Drivers could be distracted by smoke or fire, leading to accidents.
- Property Damage Potential: A vehicle fire originating from a defective power cord could result in extensive damage or complete destruction of the vehicle. Contents within the vehicle would also be at risk. The repair or replacement costs for a vehicle damaged by fire can be substantial.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a RoadPro RP-255 power cord or a similar product, it is crucial to take immediate action to ensure your safety and prevent potential hazards.
- Immediate Steps to Take:
- Stop Using Immediately: If you possess a RoadPro RP-255 power cord, discontinue use immediately. Do not attempt to use it again, even if it appears undamaged, if you have concerns.
- Disconnect and Isolate: If the product is currently connected, safely disconnect it from the power source and from any devices it is powering.
- Do Not Dispose in Regular Waste: Due to potential electrical components, check local regulations for proper disposal of electronic waste.
- How to Check If They Own the Affected Product:
- Inspect the power cord for the “RoadPro RP-255” model number, which is typically printed on the product itself or its packaging.
- Verify the brand name “ROADPRO.”
- Prevention Measures:
- Always ensure that any power accessories are compatible with your vehicle’s electrical system and the devices you intend to power.
- Inspect power cords and adapters regularly for any signs of wear, fraying, melting, or discoloration.
- Avoid overloading vehicle power outlets; refer to your vehicle’s owner manual for maximum wattage limits.
- Purchase electrical products from reputable retailers and manufacturers.
- Reporting Procedures: If you have experienced a similar incident or have safety concerns about this product, you should report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov.
Manufacturer’s Response
ROADPRO, the manufacturer of the RP-255 power cord, has indicated that they have responded to this incident report. Specific details of their response were not available in the public record at the time of this publication.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
Licensed to practice law ONLY in California.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.