Rechargeable, lithium ion batteries containing Sony cells used in Fujitsu Computer Systems Corpor...
CPSC Recall #07-011 — October 22, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-011 |
| Recall Date | October 22, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 340,000 batteries (an additional 3,080,000 battery packs were sold worldwide) |
| Manufacturer | Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan |
| Manufactured In | Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia |
Where It Was 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 2006Gateway - from September 2005 through October 2006Sony - from December 2004 through October 2006Toshiba - from September 2004 through October 2006 |
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.
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan, is voluntarily recalling about 340,000 batteries (an additional 3,080,000 battery packs were sold worldwide). These lithium ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.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 JapanHazard: 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 ManufacturerComputer ModelBattery ModelFujitsuLifeBook: P1510, P1510D, P7120, P7120D, S7020, S7020D, C1320D, Q2010, T4210CP229720-01, CP229725-01, CP234003-01, CP234019-01, CP255100-01, CP255108-01, CP267910-01, CP267915-01, CP283030-01, CP293420-01GatewayGateway: CX200, CX210, E100M, M250, M255, M280, M285, M465, M685, MP8708, NX260, NX510, NX560, NX860, NX100, MX1025, MX6918b, and MX1020j916C4610F, 916C4720F, 916C4730F, 916C5010F, W230SonySony VAIO: VGN-FE550G, VGN-FE570G, VGN-T240P, VGN-T250, VGN-T250P, VGN-T260P, VGN-T270P, VGN-T340P, VGN-T350, VGN-T350P, VGN-T360P, VGN-T370PVGP-BPS3A, VGP-BPS2BToshibaPortege: M300, M400/M405, S100/S105Qosmio: G35Satellite: R10/R15Tecra: A2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and S3PA3191U-4BRS, PA3356U-2BRS, PA3475U-1BRS, PA3191U-5BRS, PA3356U-3BRS, PA3476U-1BRSThe 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 2006Gateway - from September 2005 through October 2006Sony - from December 2004 through October 2006Toshiba - from September 2004 through October 2006Manufactured in: Japan, China, Taiwan and MalaysiaRemedy: 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/batteryGateway - (800) 292-6813 or www.gateway.com/batterySony - (888) 476-6972 or http://esupport.sony.com/batteryToshiba - (800) 457-7777 or www.bxinfo.toshiba.com
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.
Remedy Instructions
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.
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.