Hi-Capacity® rechargeable notebook computer batteries
CPSC Recall #05-204 — June 21, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-204 |
| Recall Date | June 21, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 10,000 |
| Importer | Battery-Biz® Inc., of Newbury Park, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | China, Korea and Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| Various national and regional resellers |
| retail stores and online stores from January 2004 through May 2005 for between $70 and $199. |
Product
Hi-Capacity® rechargeable notebook computer batteries
Description
The recalled lithium ion, Hi-Capacity® brand rechargeable batteries are used with various well-known, brand-name notebook computers. The recalled batteries include those with part numbers B-5301, B-5333, B-5340, B-5341, B-5342, B-5344, B-5345, B-5346, B5461, B-5615, B-5896 or B-5942/LI; the lot numbers 10098, 10198 or 10230; and the date codes listed below. The part number, lot number and date code can be found on the main label, in one of the following combinations:Reorder Part Number5 Digit Lot Code3 Digit Date CodeB-53011019804OB-53331009807N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11N, 12N, 01O, 02O, 03O, 04O1019807N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11NB-53401019807N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11N, 12N, 01OB-53411019804OB-53421009801O, 02O, 03O, 04OB-53441019811N, 12N, 01O, 02OB-53451019808N, 09N, 03OB-53461009801O, 02O, 03O, 04OB-53461009801O, 02O, 03O, 04O1019808N, 09N, 10NB-54611023001N, 02N, 03N, 04N, 05N, 06N, 07N, 08N, 09N, 10N, 11N, 12NB-56151019810N, 11N, 12N, 01O, 02OB-58961019802OB-59331023001N, 02N, 03N, 04N, 05N, 06N, 07N, 08N, 09NB-5942/LI1019803O, 040, 05O
Hazard
An internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Battery-Biz® has received six reports of batteries overheating and melting.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Battery-Biz® to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery for their notebook computer, consumers can continue to use it with the AC power adapter until a replacement battery arrives.
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.