Recall: Apple Recall of PowerBook Computer Batteries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2004 Release # 04-201

Apple Recall Hotline: (800) 275-2273 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Apple Announce Recall of PowerBook Computer Batteries

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

Name of product: Rechargeable batteries used in 15-inch PowerBook G4 computers

Units: About 28,000

Computer Manufacturer: Apple Computer Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.

Battery Manufacturer: LG Chem Ltd., of South Korea

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

Incidents/Injuries: Apple has received four reports of batteries overheating, though no injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled batteries are used with the 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) laptop computer. The batteries, which contain cells manufactured during the last week of December 2003 only, have the model number A1045 and serial numbers that begin with HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407, or HQ408. The model and serial numbers can be found on a label on the bottom of the battery. The battery is approximately 4 ¾ inches long, 3 ¼ inches wide, and ¾ inches tall. No other PowerBook or iBook batteries are involved in this recall.

Sold at: National and regional resellers, catalogers, and Apple's online and retail stores sold the computers with the batteries from January 2004 through August 2004 for between $2000 and $2600. The batteries also were sold separately for about $130.

Assembled in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge.

Consumer Contact: Contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple's Web site at www.apple.com/support/powerbook/batteryexchange