Recall: PC Notebook Computer Batteries Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2008
Release #09-035

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ed Kang, (301) 504-7908

PC Notebook Computer Batteries Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms 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: Lithium-Ion Batteries used in Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba and Dell Notebook Computers

Units: About 35,000 batteries (an additional 65,000 batteries were sold worldwide)

Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corporation, of Japan

Hazard: These lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been 19 reports of the batteries overheating, including 17 reports of flames/fire (10 resulting in minor property damage). Two consumers experienced minor burns.

Description: The recalled batteries were included with, and sold separately for use in, the following notebook computer models:

Computer Manufacturer	Units	Notebook Model	Battery Model
Hewlett-Packard	About 32,000	HP Pavilion: dv1000, dv8000 and zd8000 Compaq Presario: v2000 and v2400 HP Compaq: nc6110, nc6120, nc6140, nc6220, nc6230, nx4800, nx4820, nx6110, nx6120, nx9600	Recalled batteries will have a bar code label starting with A0, L0, L1 or GC
Toshiba	About 3,000	Satellite: A70/A75, P30/P5, M30X/M35X, M50/M55 Tecra: A3, A5, S2	n/a
Dell	About 150	Latitude: 110L Inspiron: 1100, 1150, 5100, 5150, 5160	OU091

The battery model is located on the battery’s label.

Sold by: Computers with the recalled batteries were sold directly by Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba and Dell, through computer and electronics stores nationwide, and through various Web retailers for between $700 and $3000. The batteries were also sold separately for between $100 and $160.

Hewlett-Packard – sold from December 2004 through June 2006
Toshiba – sold from April 2005 to October 2005
Dell – shipped between November 2004 and November 2005

Battery Cells Manufactured in: Japan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the recalled battery from their notebook computer, and contact their computer manufacturer to determine if their battery is included in the recall and to request a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled battery from their notebook computer, consumers may use the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives. Consumers should only use batteries obtained from their computer manufacturer or an authorized reseller.

Consumer Contacts: For additional information, consumers should contact the manufacturer of their notebook computer:

Hewlett-Packard Co. – http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement or call (800) 889-2031 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
Toshiba – http://www.bxinfo.toshiba.com or call (800) 457-7777 anytime.
Dell – http://www.dellbatteryprogram.com or call toll-free (866) 342-0011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.