August 2006
Millions of Dell laptop computer batteries recalled for fire hazard
What to do if you’re affected, plus safety tips for all laptop owners
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of more than 4 million rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
for dozens of Dell laptop computers because they could overheat and catch fire. It is the nation's largest safety alert involving
consumer electronics.
The sweeping recall involves batteries, manufactured by Sony, which came with 33 different computers sold from April 1, 2004 through July 18, 2006. They were also sold separately as replacement parts. Specifically, the batteries were made for the following computer lines and models:
Dell has received six reports of batteries overheating, resulting in scorching and fires that damaged furniture and other property. Consumer Reports tested some computers with the recalled batteries, but didn't encounter any problems with our samples. That's not surprising, however, given that so few incidents have occurred.
Scott Wolfson, public affairs spokesman for the CPSC, said the hazards stem from quality-control issues at battery manufacturing facilities in Japan and China.
Gretchen Miller, Dell's director of product communication, said in an interview that the likelihood of battery failure is remote. The hazard exists, Miller said, because in some batteries metal particles may have penetrated the battery cell during the manufacturing process. When that happens, internal safety mechanisms are supposed to detect the contaminants and automatically shut down the battery before an electrical short circuit occurs and the battery overheats. In rare instances, the company discovered that the safety mechanisms weren't working, Miller said.
Lithium-ion batteries pack high amounts of energy into a small package and, subsequently, can produce a lot of heat. Overheating problems affecting rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have been an ongoing issue. The CPSC logged 339 incident reports between 2003 and 2005 involving potentially faulty laptop computer batteries and cell phone batteries, Wolfson said. Those incidents ranged from smoking and charring, to batteries bursting into flames and skin burns. Cell phone batteries have been associated with more serious burn injuries because of the close proximity between the telephone and the user's head and face.
What to do
Contact Dell at www.dellbatteryprogram.com or call 866-342-0011 to determine if your battery is subject to recall. If it is, the company will provide a free replacement. You'll need to remove the battery from its slot and write down the identification number when you contact Dell. The accompanying photo indicates where you'll find the sticker. All of the batteries bear the words "Dell" as well as "Made in Japan," "Made in China," or "Battery Cell Made in Japan Assembled in China." The company says you can continue to use your computer with an AC adapter, but first you must turn off the system and eject the battery. Customers can also write to the company at Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Recall, 9701 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas 78758.
Advice for all laptop owners
In the meantime, there are steps you can take to safely use any laptop computer powered by lithium-ion batteries:
The sweeping recall involves batteries, manufactured by Sony, which came with 33 different computers sold from April 1, 2004 through July 18, 2006. They were also sold separately as replacement parts. Specifically, the batteries were made for the following computer lines and models:
- Latitude D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, and D810.
- Inspiron 6000, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 500m, 510m, 600m, 6400, E1505, 700m, 710m, 9400, and E1705.
- Precision M20, M60, M70 and M90 mobile workstations.
- XPS, XPS Gen2, XPS M170, and XPS M1710 models.
Dell has received six reports of batteries overheating, resulting in scorching and fires that damaged furniture and other property. Consumer Reports tested some computers with the recalled batteries, but didn't encounter any problems with our samples. That's not surprising, however, given that so few incidents have occurred.
Scott Wolfson, public affairs spokesman for the CPSC, said the hazards stem from quality-control issues at battery manufacturing facilities in Japan and China.
Gretchen Miller, Dell's director of product communication, said in an interview that the likelihood of battery failure is remote. The hazard exists, Miller said, because in some batteries metal particles may have penetrated the battery cell during the manufacturing process. When that happens, internal safety mechanisms are supposed to detect the contaminants and automatically shut down the battery before an electrical short circuit occurs and the battery overheats. In rare instances, the company discovered that the safety mechanisms weren't working, Miller said.
Lithium-ion batteries pack high amounts of energy into a small package and, subsequently, can produce a lot of heat. Overheating problems affecting rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have been an ongoing issue. The CPSC logged 339 incident reports between 2003 and 2005 involving potentially faulty laptop computer batteries and cell phone batteries, Wolfson said. Those incidents ranged from smoking and charring, to batteries bursting into flames and skin burns. Cell phone batteries have been associated with more serious burn injuries because of the close proximity between the telephone and the user's head and face.
What to do
Contact Dell at www.dellbatteryprogram.com or call 866-342-0011 to determine if your battery is subject to recall. If it is, the company will provide a free replacement. You'll need to remove the battery from its slot and write down the identification number when you contact Dell. The accompanying photo indicates where you'll find the sticker. All of the batteries bear the words "Dell" as well as "Made in Japan," "Made in China," or "Battery Cell Made in Japan Assembled in China." The company says you can continue to use your computer with an AC adapter, but first you must turn off the system and eject the battery. Customers can also write to the company at Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Recall, 9701 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas 78758.
Advice for all laptop owners
In the meantime, there are steps you can take to safely use any laptop computer powered by lithium-ion batteries:
- Avoid placing computer on a soft surface such as a bed, which prevents air from circulating beneath it and heat from dissipating.
- If your battery is exhausted, recharge it fully via the AC adapter before powering up the computer.
- Don't leave your laptop in direct sunlight or in the car.
- Purchase a battery that bears the name of a responsible manufacturer. That way, you're much more likely to learn about a potential
safety hazard and recalls, and get satisfactory answers to your questions.
- Contrary to conventional wisdom, there's nothing wrong with leaving your laptop computer plugged in all the time. Nor is it inherently safer to run a computer on battery power than AC current.
