Battery packs used in laptop computers

CPSC Recall #17-732 — February 7, 2017

Recall Summary

Recall Number17-732
Recall DateFebruary 7, 2017
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 700 (In addition, about 1,700 units were previously recalled on June 15, 2016)
ManufacturerSANYO ENERGY (Suzhou) CO, Ltd. of China, Panasonic subsidiary
ImporterSony Electronics, Inc., of San Diego, Calif.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Best Buy
Sony retail stores
other consumer electronic stores nationwide and online at www.store.sony.com and other websites from February 2013 through October 2013 for between $550 and $1
000 as part of Sony VAIO laptops and for about $170 for battery packs sold separately.

Product

Battery packs used in laptop computers

Description

This expanded recall involves Panasonic lithium-ion battery packs installed in 18 models of Sony’s VAIO Series laptop computers.  Sony has expanded the number of affected battery packs under this recall.  The Panasonic battery packs were manufactured with the laptop and battery packs were sold separately or installed by Sony as part of a repair.  Panasonic battery packs included in this recall have model number VGP-BPS26 and part numbers 1-853-237-11 and 1-853-237-21 printed on the back of the battery pack.  Recalled model numbers for the Sony VAIO laptop computer are:          Sony VAIO Series laptop computer model numbers SVE14A1 SVE14A2 SVE14A3 SVE1413 SVE1511 SVE1512 SVE1513 SVE1513APXS SVE1513BCXS SVE1513JCXW SVE1513KCXS SVE1513MCXB SVE1513MCXW SVE1513MPXS SVE1513RCXB SVE1513RCXS SVE1513RCXW SVE1513TCXW SVE15132CXW SVE15134CXP SVE15134CXS SVE15134CXW SVE15135CXW SVE151390X SVE1712 SVE1713 SVE171390X VPCCA1 VPCCA2 VPCCA3 VPCCB1 VPCCB2 VPCCB3 VPCCB4 VPCEH1 VPCEH2 VPCEH3 VPCEJ1 VPCEJ2  

Hazard

The lithium-ion battery packs can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled battery packs, power off the laptop, remove the battery and follow instructions to obtain a free replacement. Until a replacement battery pack is received, consumers should use the laptop by plugging in AC power only. Battery packs previously identified as not affected by the June 15, 2016 recall are included in this expanded announcement.

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.