Nikon recalls more than 200,000 camera batteries due to burn hazard

Nikon has issued a recall of rechargeable batteries sold with two models of its digital SLR cameras, the Nikon D800 and Nikon D7000. More than 200,000 of the D-SLR batteries sold with the cameras worldwide may short-circuit and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

According to American and Canadian safety agencies, Nikon has received about seven consumer complaints regarding the digital camera batteries overheating. Of the estimated 5,100 batteries that were sold in the U.S. and 1,100 sold in Canada, no incidents or injuries were reported, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, respectively.

The batteries were sold with the Nikon D7000—a Consumer Reports recommended D-SLR in its test of digital SLR cameras—and D800 cameras from February to April.

Recent Nikon digital SLR camera buyers should check if they are affected by this battery recall by visiting Nikon's website: www.NikonUSA.com. Affected owners should immediately discontinue use, remove the flawed batteries from their Nikon cameras, and contact Nikon (toll-free: 800-645-6687) for free replacement batteries.

The recalled Nikon DSLR rechargeable battieries have an "E" or "F" as the ninth character of the 14-digit lot number, located on the back of the battery pack.

Sources:
Nikon Recalls Rechargeable Battery Packs Sold with Digital SLR Cameras Due to Burn Hazard [CPSC]
Recall: Nikon Model EN-EL 15 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack [Health Canada]
Service Advisory: EN-EL15 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Recall [Nikon]

—Paul Eng