Sony is recalling 3.5 million faulty AC power adaptors sold with the slimline version of the black PlayStation 2 (PS2) because they may cause injury.

The company said it was a precautionary measure following 40 complaints in the US but warned the power adaptors could overheat, causing damage or injury.

The adaptors were specially designed to be free-standing as a space-saving feature for these slimline models, the SCPH70002, 70003 and 70004. Sony said although most were sold between August and December 2004, some may still have been on sale later than these dates.

Two-thirds of the affected consoles were sold in Europe and but Sony is also recalling all the adaptors sold in the Middle East, Africa and Australasia as well.

Sony, which will replace the adaptors free of charge, is telling people who think they may have one of the faulty adaptors not to take the adaptors back to the place of purchase. Instead they should visit the PS2 website for more information where they can find out how to get a new AC Adaptor free of charge.

As a precautionary measure and until a replacement is provided, Sony said consumers owning one of the AC adaptors affected by this recall should unplug their PS2 from the mains power supply and discontinue use until a replacement AC Adaptor is provided.