Li-Polymer battery pack sold with Bluetooth™ Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation System

CPSC Recall #05-582 — June 20, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number05-582
Recall DateJune 20, 2005
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 10,300
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

The Belkin Web site
other Web retailers and computer and electronics stores sold the GPS device with recalled batteries nationwide from November 2003 through February 2005 for about $400.

Product

Li-Polymer battery pack sold with Bluetooth™ Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation System

Description

The recall involves Li-Polymer battery packs sold with Belkin Bluetooth™ GPS Navigation System models F8T051 and F8T051-DL. The GPS model number can be found on a label on the bottom of the unit. "Part No.: 300-203712001" and Model No.: AE-8210" are written on the side of the battery.

Hazard

The battery can overheat, expand, and possibly rupture, creating an explosion or fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Belkin reports 15 incidents of batteries overheating and expanding. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers stop using the GPS product immediately and contact Belkin for information on receiving a free replacement battery.

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.