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NEC PC-17-01 and PC-17-02 Laptop Computers

CPSC Recall #94-011 - November 21, 1994

Recall Summary

Recall Number94-011
Recall DateNovember 21, 1994
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 13,000

Product

NEC PC-17-01 and PC-17-02 Laptop Computers

Description

PRODUCT: NEC PC-17-01 and PC-17-02 Laptop Computers. PROBLEM: The computer battery can explode and catch fire. WHAT TO DO: Turn on computer with the AC adapter disconnected and allow battery to discharge. Call (800) 237-2913 to arrange for repair. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, NEC Technologies Inc. (NECT), Boxborough, MA, is voluntarily recalling batteries in NEC PC-17-01 and PC-17-02 Laptop Computers. The batteries in these laptop computers can explode and catch fire. Approximately 13,000 NEC PC-17-01 and PC-17-02 Laptop Computers were sold in the United States and Canada from December 1988 to April 1990. Model numbers can be found on the bottom of the computer. Only the portable PC-17-01 and PC-17-02 models are involved. No other NEC computers are involved. NECT is aware of seven incidents of smoke and/or fire which occurred during battery recharging. Although there are no known injuries to date, NECT and CPSC view this as an important matter and are making every effort to insure consumer safety. To encourage participation in this recall, NEC is offering a $100 reimbursement to all consumers taking advantage of this important free battery replacement program. NEC developed, and currently has available, a new battery using state of the art nickel-metal hydride technology to replace the defective batteries. Consumers should turn on the computers with the AC adapter disconnected and allow the batteries to drain completely. Owners should call NEC toll free at 1-800-237-2913 to arrange for free replacement of the battery and the $100 reimbursement. NEC Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation. Media inquiries should be directed to John Bace at (312) 836-7403. CPSC is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

Hazard

The batteries in these laptop computers can explode and catch fire.

Incidents & Injuries

NECT is aware of seven incidents of smoke and/or fire which occurred during battery recharging. Although there are no known injuries to date, NECT and CPSC view this as an important matter and are making every effort to insure consumer safety. 

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should turn on the computers with the AC adapter disconnected and allow the batteries to drain completely. Owners should call NEC toll free at 1-800-237-2913 to arrange for free replacement of the battery and the $100 reimbursement. NEC is offering a $100 reimbursement to all consumers taking advantage of this important free battery replacement program.

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.

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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.

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