Rayovac NI-CD and Rayovac NI-MH Cordless Tool Battery Packs

CPSC Recall #12-267 — August 29, 2012

Recall Summary

Recall Number12-267
Recall DateAugust 29, 2012
Remedy TypeNew Instructions
Units AffectedAbout 65,300 (about 111,800 were recalled in December 2011).
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

BatteriesPlus retail stores nationwide and online at www.batteriesplus.com between June 2008 and July 2012 for between $60 and $70.

Product

Rayovac NI-CD and Rayovac NI-MH Cordless Tool Battery Packs

Description

This recall involves all RAYOVAC-branded replacement battery packs used with cordless power tools and have part numbers beginning with "CTL." "RAYOVAC," "NI-CD" or "RAYOVAC," "NI-MH" and a part number beginning with "CTL" are printed in white lettering on the product. The battery packs were sold in voltages ranging between 2.4 and 18 volts in various sizes and shapes. They were sold as replacement batteries to the following brand tools: Black and Decker, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Lincoln, Milwaukee, Panasonic, Ryobi and Skil.

Hazard

The replacement battery pack can explode unexpectedly, posing a risk of injury to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

BatteriesPlus has received three additional reports since the previous recall of exploding batteries, including one report of an injury to a consumer's finger.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using and remove the battery packs from cordless tools. Consumers can contact BatteriesPlus for instructions on how to return the product for a store credit.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions 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 (New Instructions) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.