Recall: Battery-Biz Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2005
Release #05-204
Firm's Recall Hotline:(800) 780-6552
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908


CPSC, Battery-Biz Announce Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Hi-Capacity® rechargeable notebook computer batteries

Units: About 10,000

Importer: Battery-Biz® Inc., of Newbury Park, Calif.

Hazard: An internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Battery-Biz® has received six reports of batteries overheating and melting.

Description: The recalled lithium ion, Hi-Capacity® brand rechargeable batteries are used with various well-known, brand-name notebook computers. The recalled batteries include those with part numbers B-5301, B-5333, B-5340, B-5341, B-5342, B-5344, B-5345, B-5346, B5461, B-5615, B-5896 or B-5942/LI; the lot numbers 10098, 10198 or 10230; and the date codes listed below. The part number, lot number and date code can be found on the main label, in one of the following combinations:

Reorder Part Number 5 Digit Lot Code 3 Digit Date Code
B-5301 10198 04O
B-5333 10098 07N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11N, 12N, 01O, 02O, 03O, 04O
10198 07N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11N
B-5340 10198 07N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11N, 12N, 01O
B-5341 10198 04O
B-5342 10098 01O, 02O, 03O, 04O
B-5344 10198 11N, 12N, 01O, 02O
B-5345 10198 08N, 09N, 03O
B-5346 10098 01O, 02O, 03O, 04O
B-5346 10098 01O, 02O, 03O, 04O
10198 08N, 09N, 10N
B-5461 10230 01N, 02N, 03N, 04N, 05N, 06N, 07N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11N, 12N
B-5615 10198 10N, 11N, 12N, 01O, 02O
B-5896 10198 02O
B-5933 10230 01N, 02N, 03N, 04N, 05N, 06N, 07N, 08N, 09N
B-5942/LI 10198 03O, 040, 05O

Sold At: Various national and regional resellers, retail stores and online stores from January 2004 through May 2005 for between $70 and $199.

Manufactured and Assembled in: China, Korea and Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Battery-Biz® to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery for their notebook computer, consumers can continue to use it with the AC power adapter until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Battery-Biz® at (800) 780-6552 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or log on to the Hi-Capacity Web site at www.hi-capacity.com/exchange to check the battery's serial number and apply for a replacement unit.


Picture of Recalled Notebook Computer Battery