Microsoft’s troubles with the Xbox 360 are far from over. After the console made everyone’s day due to overheating issues, it was time for the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel to come up on the stage and ask for a replacement program of its own.
To make matters worse for the Redmond company, it seems that overheating is once again the main problem. According to Microsoft, a component in the Wheel chassis may in rare cases overheat and release smoke when the AC-DC power supply is used to energize the Wheel. The Wheels were manufactured during 2006 – 2007.
As it follows, customers are advised to rely only on battery power until a "retrofit" part is will be provided and installed. Be advised though that, while operating in battery mode, the force feedback feature will not be available.
Up till now there have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage due to the wheel malfunction, Microsoft stressed out.
Users in need of a retrofit part for the faulty Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel should visit www.xbox.com/support or call Microsoft at 1-800-4my-Xbox to register. As expected, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is also part of the program.
So, let’s see: first, the console is overheating. Now, the wheel is overheating too. I suppose Microsoft was right to call them “hot” items.