Microsoft to fix 360 steering wheels

Regular readers and bit-tech stalkers will know that I don't drive in real life and that I therefore don't really get all that excited about most realistic driving games. I therefore couldn't help a brief, but effective evil chuckle escape my lips when I read the latest announcement from Microsoft.

Microsoft is now officially offering out free retrofits for all Xbox 360 wireless steering wheels sold, ever. Microsoft says this is "a precautionary measure" and that it is "voluntarily providing customers with a free retrofit to the Xbox 360 Wireless Wheel."

Why? I'm glad you asked.

Apparently, a number of users have been having problems with the steering wheel - problems like it starting to spew out plumes of black, resinous smoke when used in wired mode. It's speculated that, since the problem only occurs when the power supply is in use, that it may not be a fault with the wheel per se, but rather a problem with the rest of the system.

Either way, Microsoft is taking no chances and is recalling all wheels for a retrofit before somebody does something stupid to try and stop any overheating.

Microsoft has suggested that all 360 users refrain from using the wheels in the mean time and have sent out press releases to get the word out. Still, we may as well take this chance to ask: how little do Microsoft know about overheating when even the official steering wheel is bursting into flames?

Ever had a piece of kit blow up on you? Ever had a red ring of death? Let us know in the forums.