Recall: Sony Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2006 Release #07-011 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: See Options Below CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contacts: Julie Vallese or Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7908 or (301) 504-7051 Sony Media Contact: Rick Clancy, (858) 942-3020 |
Sony Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires
The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.Name of Product: Rechargeable, lithium ion batteries containing Sony cells used in Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation, Gateway Inc., Sony Electronics Inc., and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. notebook computers.
Units: About 340,000 batteries (an additional 3,080,000 battery packs were sold worldwide)
Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan
Hazard: These lithium ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: There have been 16 reports of notebook computer batteries overheating, causing minor property damage and two minor burns. All of these reported incidents and injuries have been associated with earlier recalls of notebook computer batteries containing these Sony cells. There have been no incidents involving batteries sold by the notebook manufacturers participating in this announcement.
Description: These lithium ion batteries were sold with, or sold separately to be used with, the following notebook computer models:
| Computer Manufacturer | Computer Model | Battery Model |
|---|---|---|
| Fujitsu | LifeBook: P1510, P1510D, P7120, P7120D, S7020, S7020D, C1320D, Q2010, T4210 | CP229720-01, CP229725-01, CP234003-01, CP234019-01, CP255100-01, CP255108-01, CP267910-01, CP267915-01, CP283030-01, CP293420-01 |
| Gateway | Gateway: CX200, CX210, E100M, M250, M255, M280, M285, M465, M685, MP8708, NX260, NX510, NX560, NX860, NX100, MX1025, MX6918b, and MX1020j | 916C4610F, 916C4720F, 916C4730F, 916C5010F, W230 |
| Sony | Sony VAIO: VGN-FE550G, VGN-FE570G, VGN-T240P, VGN-T250, VGN-T250P, VGN-T260P, VGN-T270P, VGN-T340P, VGN-T350, VGN-T350P, VGN-T360P, VGN-T370P | VGP-BPS3A, VGP-BPS2B |
| Toshiba | Portege: M300, M400/M405, S100/S105 Qosmio: G35 Satellite: R10/R15 Tecra: A2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and S3 |
PA3191U-4BRS, PA3356U-2BRS, PA3475U-1BRS, PA3191U-5BRS, PA3356U-3BRS, PA3476U-1BRS |
The battery model can be found on the battery's label.
Sold: Directly by Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation, Gateway Inc., Sony Electronics Inc., and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. and through authorized distributors as part of a notebook computer. The computers sold for between $500 and $3000 and the batteries were also sold separately for between $75 and $200, during the following dates:
- Fujitsu - from June 2005 through October 2006.
- Gateway - from September 2005 through October 2006.
- Sony - from December 2004 through October 2006
- Toshiba - from September 2004 through October 2006.
Manufactured in: Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia
Remedy: Consumers should remove the affected batteries from notebook computers until they contact their computer manufacturer and receive further instructions. Batteries covered by this program will be replaced free of charge. Consumers should use only batteries obtained from their computer manufacturer or from an authorized reseller.
Consumer Contact: Customers should contact the manufacturer of their notebook computer to determine if their battery is covered by this program and to request a replacement battery. The contact information for the participating manufacturers is:
- Fujitsu - (800) 8FUJITSU or www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/battery
- Gateway – (800) 292-6813 or www.gateway.com/battery
- Sony – (888) 476-6972 or http://esupport.sony.com/battery
- Toshiba – (800) 457-7777 or www.bxinfo.toshiba.com
The CPSC has also prepared a list of safety tips that consumers should follow when using a notebook computer. The list can be found at: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06271.html
Fujitsu
Gateway
Sony
Toshiba
