malfunction

Those and other personal devices have lithium-ion batteries, which are prone to bursting into flames when they malfunction or overheat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

“A fireworks malfunction did occur during last night’s post-match celebration at Angel City FC’s game vs. Orlando at BMO Stadium,” the team said in a statement to The Times.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

The college added there are numerous reports of older patients being brought in after collapsing because of dehydration and said its members have linked the extreme heat to causing machines and equipment to malfunction.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

It did not say why the fuel switches were turned off -- whether it was the fault of a pilot, or a result of a malfunction.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

Not as good as yesterday, but I lost some time to the drill malfunction.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Tech companies are making progress in fixing humanoid runners’ malfunctions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026

Orbital changes of satellites also increase the risk of collision and space weather can also play havoc with sensitive electronics on board, causing malfunctions.

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2025

Strong solar storms however bring more than just stunning light displays -- they can also disrupt communication systems and cause satellite malfunctions and power grid overloads.

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2025

When this protein malfunctions, cells cannot generate the energy they need to survive and perform properly.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2025

Unlike early Soviet space capsules, which were automated, American spacecraft required experienced pilots at the controls in case of malfunctions.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Actually, it’s Stuart from an alternative universe enlisting him to restore things with the help of a malfunctioned quantum interference device created by Sheldon, Leonard and Howard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

The vehicle had coasted through space but was not in exactly the correct orbit after one of its engines malfunctioned during an initial burn.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

But as the commander of Apollo 13 famously said when his spacecraft malfunctioned on the way to the Moon: "Houston, we've had a problem..."

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

“The likelihood that the M767A1 fuze malfunctioned is a statistical anomaly that was outside any reasonable probability.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2026

What if the toilet she was using malfunctioned, or got clogged?

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

But she says she has never handled so many iPhones with fried motherboards and malfunctioning touch screens.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

The director, recently freed from a malfunctioning elevator in a pithily Andersonian incident, made a brief appearance onstage with Murray in his regal white suit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

I have a similar complaint, but this relates to a toilet that is malfunctioning.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 2026

The first attempted launch on Thursday was postponed due to a malfunctioning hydraulic pin in the launch tower.

From BBC ● May 23, 2026

On the afternoon of September 10, driving out of Cut Bank after buying some parts for a malfunctioning combine, he pulled over for a hitchhiker, an amiable kid who said his name was Alex McCandless.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer