Rechargeable Batteries sold with Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players
CPSC Recall #10-205 — April 25, 2010
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 10-205 |
| Recall Date | April 25, 2010 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 32,600; (This recall was first announced in Oct. 2008 and reannounced in Oct. 2009) |
| Importer | Coby Electronics Corp., of Lake Success, N.Y. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Discount |
| electronics |
| music |
| toy |
| office supply stores and distributors of electronic products nationwide. The TF-DVD 1020 units were sold from May 2007 through July 2008 for about $168.The TF-DVD 8501 units were sold from January 2007 through September 2009 for between $140 and $275. |
Product
Rechargeable Batteries sold with Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players
Description
The recall involves Coby DVD/CD/MP3 players with product numbers TF-DVD 1020 and TF-DVD 8501. "Coby" is printed on the front cover and the product number is on the bottom of the unit. The serial numbers on the recalled rechargeable batteries are printed on a label on the following batteries:Product NumberSerial NumberDescriptionTF-DVD 1020DG240043D503000001-1006Swivel screen DG240006D503000001-400 DG240039D603000001-3000 DG240111D603000001-2000 DG240143D602000001-3000 DG240106D602000001-2000 DG240106D702000001-2000 DG240183D942000001-100 DG240071DB02000001-1400 DG240115D702000001-2500 TF-DVD 8501Begin with "HY"8 ? inch screen
Hazard
The rechargeable batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Coby Electronics has received 32 reports of the battery overheating. Eighteen additional incidents of the battery overheating in the TF-DVD 1020 model, 17 of which resulted in property damage ranging from minor up to $9,650. No additional incidents have been reported for the TF-DVD 8501 model.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the players with the recalled batteries and contact the firm to arrange for a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled batteries from the unit, consumers can continue to use it with the AC or DC power adapter.
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.