Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells used in Acer notebook computers
CPSC Recall #07-167 — April 24, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-167 |
| Recall Date | April 24, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 27,000 |
| Manufacturer | Computer Manufacturer: Acer Inc., of TaiwanBattery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan |
| Importer | Computer Importer and Distributor: Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | China and Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| Authorized electronics retailers nationwide from May 2004 through November 2006 for between $500 and $1 |
| 500. |
Product
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells used in Acer notebook computers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 27,000 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells used in Acer notebook computers. The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Name of product: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells used in Acer notebook computersUnits: About 27,000Computer Importer and Distributor: Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, Calif.Computer Manufacturer: Acer Inc., of TaiwanBattery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of JapanHazard: The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: As announced previously, there have been 16 reports of notebook batteries overheating. These reports were associated with earlier recalls by other notebook computer manufacturers of batteries containing these Sony cells. These previous reports involved only minor property damage and two minor burns. None of these reports involved batteries in Acer notebook computers.Description: Only lithium-ion batteries with the following part numbers and battery week codes and used in the following Acer notebook models, are included in the recall:Acer Notebook SystemSeries Beginning with:Acer Battery Pack No. (Part of Barcode)Battery Pack Serial Week Code Range (Part of Barcode)Battery Week Code Range (in front of Barcode)Battery Week Code Range on Red StickerTravelMate 321xBT00604001 0521-0545 Aspire 980xBT00804016 63V, 63W, 63X, 63Y TravelMate 242x, TravelMate 330xAspire 556xBT00604005601-626 TravelMate 561xAspire 930x, Aspire 941xBT00807010614-630 TravelMate C20xBT00604002 5BR-5BZ; 5C1-5C9; 5CA-5CZ; 611-619; 621-629; 62A TravelMate 422x, TravelMate 467xAspire 560x, Aspire 567xBT00804011 0551-0626TravelMate 320xBTT4807001418-552 Sold through: Authorized electronics retailers nationwide from May 2004 through November 2006 for between $500 and $1,500.Manufactured in: China and TaiwanRemedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled batteries immediately and contact Acer to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, removing the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.Consumer Contact: For assistance in determining if their battery packs are covered by this program and to request a free replacement battery pack, consumers can visit the firm's Web site at www.acerbatteryrecall.com/AcerWeb. Consumers also can contact Acer toll-free at (866) 496-2237 anytime.
Hazard
The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
As announced previously, there have been 16 reports of notebook batteries overheating. These reports were associated with earlier recalls by other notebook computer manufacturers of batteries containing these Sony cells. These previous reports involved only minor property damage and two minor burns. None of these reports involved batteries in Acer notebook computers.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these recalled batteries immediately and contact Acer to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, removing the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.