Rechargeable Batteries sold with portable DVD/CD/MP3 players
CPSC Recall #09-004 — October 8, 2008
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 09-004 |
| Recall Date | October 8, 2008 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 13,000 |
| 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 containing the recalled batteries were sold from May 2007 through July 2008 for about $168. |
Product
Rechargeable Batteries sold with portable DVD/CD/MP3 players
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. This recall involves batteries with serial numbers listed below sold with the TF-DVD 1020 portable DVD/CD/MP3 players. The battery’s serial number can be found on a white sticker affixed to it. The product looks like a small laptop computer and has a 10” swivel TV screen. “COBY” is written on the front cover and under the screen. “TF-DVD 1020” can be found on the bottom of the unit. Recalled Batteries Serial Number Ranges: DG240043D503000001-1006 DG240006D503000001-400 DG240039D603000001-3000 DG240111D603000001-2000 DG240143D602000001-3000 DG240106D602000001-2000 DG240106D702000001-2000 DG240183D942000001-100 DG240071DB02000001-1400 DG240115D702000001-2500
Hazard
The rechargeable batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Coby Electronics has received four reports of batteries overheating, three of which resulted in minor property damage from a fire. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the “TF-DVD 1020” 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.