Thinkpads Forum

Wall Street Journal wrote: Sony Is Hit With More Battery Woes

Lenovo Recall Is Latest Blow,
Spurring Company to Begin
Global Replacement Plan
By JANE SPENCER and COREY DADE, WSJ
September 29, 2006

Lenovo Group Ltd. recalled 526,000 batteries manufactured by Sony Corp. for use in Lenovo's IBM ThinkPad laptop computers, the latest recall stemming from fire-safety concerns over Sony-made batteries.

Following Lenovo's recall announcement, Sony said it will initiate "a global replacement program" for certain battery packs using Sony-made lithium ion cells. The Japanese company provided few details about the program, but people familiar with the move said it signals that the company is planning a large battery recall on the scale of those recently done by Dell Inc. and Apple Computer Inc.

Sony has entered discussions with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish the scope of the recall, which includes determining whether a battery-exchange program would be enacted in the U.S. only or world-wide, and how many batteries would affected, people familiar with the matter said. Sony didn't elaborate on the program but said, "In the overall interest of our customer's satisfaction, we wanted to go out there and be proactive."


Learn more about Sony's laptop batteries.The safety of Lenovo's batteries was called into question in mid-September after an IBM ThinkPad caught fire at Los Angeles International Airport. A Sony spokesman said the company wasn't sure "what the cause is. It may not be related to the Apple and Dell situations."

Lenovo became the world's third-largest PC maker after its acquisition of International Business Machines Corp.'s personal-computers business in May 2005. The batteries it recalled contain the same Sony parts as those used by Dell and Apple in their affected PCs. In August, Dell issued the largest consumer-electronics recall to date, involving 4.1 million laptops with Sony batteries. Apple followed, recalling 1.8 million laptops to replace the same type of Sony battery.

Sony said in August that it expected to incur costs of about $170 million to $255 million related to the Apple and Dell recalls. Lenovo said Sony will help shoulder the cost of battery replacements in the most recent recall, and expects Lenovo will incur "minimal" costs.

Lenovo's recall applies to nine IBM ThinkPad models sold since February 2005, including the T43, which is popular among business users. The recall applies to about 5% to 10% of Lenovo laptops shipped during the period, Lenovo said.

In the Los Angeles incident, a passenger who had charged his laptop at the airport, boarded a plane and then realized his computer bag was smoking. He ran off the plane, and the overheated notebook computer began throwing off sparks, Lenovo said.

"Quite frankly, we still haven't reached any final conclusions about what went wrong," said Lenovo spokesman Ray Gorman. "But we reacted in the interest of public safety, and that's why we're doing this recall."

When Lenovo's competitors announced recalls in August, the company said it had no plans to issue its own recall, because its battery packs were designed to "fail safely" by shutting down before extreme overheating.

Lenovo's recall would be on a smaller scale than those by Apple and Dell, in part because Sony isn't Lenovo's primary battery supplier. The company's largest battery-component supplier is Sanyo Electric Co. of Japan.

AFFECTED MODELS
The recalled batteries were sold with or sold separately to be used with some models of ThinkPad notebook PCs.
• T Series (T43, T43p, T60)

• X Series (X60, X60s)

• R Series (R51e, R52, R60, R60e)

Battery Part/Model Number
ASM P/N FRU P/N
92P1072 92P1073
92P1088 92P1089
92P1142 92P1141
92P1170 92P1169 or 93P5028
92P1174 92P1173 or 93P5030

Source: Lenovo
BATTERY ASSAULT

Recent laptop battery recalls due to potential fire hazards:
• Aug. 24: Apple recalls 1.8 million (700,000 in the U.S.).

• Aug. 15: Dell recalls 4.1 million (2.7 million in U.S.).

• April 20: Hewlett- Packard recalls 15,700 (4,100 in U.S.).

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
PRODUCTS & PROFITS

Lenovo Recalls ThinkPad Notebook PC Extended-Life Batteries Due to Fire Hazard
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.

Name of product: Lithium-ion extended-life batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers.

Units: About 100,000 battery packs (an additional 105,000 battery packs were sold worldwide)

Battery Distributor: Lenovo (United States) Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Battery Manufacturer: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., of Japan

Hazard: If the battery in the laptop is struck forcefully on the corner, such as from a direct fall to the ground, the battery pack can overheat and pose a fire hazard to users. This is not an internal battery cell defect.

Incidents/Injuries: Lenovo has received four reports of batteries overheating and damaging the notebook. This caused damage to the notebook computers, minor property damage and, in one case, minor eye irritation to one consumer.

Description: Lenovo sold these extended-life batteries with new ThinkPad notebook PCs or as optional or replacement batteries for the following ThinkPad notebook models: R Series (R60 and R60e), T Series (T60 and T60p) and Z Series (Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, and Z61p). The recalled 9-cell batteries have the following part number, which can be found on the battery label: FRU P/N 92P1131.

Sold through: Lenovo’s Web sites, telephone and direct sales, and Lenovo authorized distributors nationwide between November 2005 and February 2007, as an accessory for about $180, and as part of a ThinkPad notebook computer for between $750 and $3,500.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries and contact Lenovo for additional information and to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers should use only ThinkPad batteries obtained from either Lenovo or an authorized reseller.

Consumer Contact: Customers should contact Lenovo at (800) 426-7378 anytime, or log on to www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram to determine if the battery is part of the recall and to order a replacement battery.

Note: In September 2006, Lenovo conducted a recall of batteries manufactured by another firm for a different problem.

andy6387 wrote:mine is being recalled. I don't mind. It's been a while so a free battery is always nice.

spt60 wrote:How do you know (how to check) how many battery cycles you have used on the battery?

Thanks

andy6387 wrote:got my new battery yesterday. They don't even care if i send the new one back. I'm debating just using them both. I mean come on, what are the chances of it blowing up

andy6387 wrote:got my new battery yesterday. They don't even care if i send the new one back. I'm debating just using them both. I mean come on, what are the chances of it blowing up

andy6387 wrote:got my new battery yesterday. They don't even care if i send the new one back. I'm debating just using them both. I mean come on, what are the chances of it blowing up

pinesol wrote:But I got a bill from IBM for the replacement battery ($113 + state tax 7.06). Was I supposed to send the replaced one to IBM?

ilmaestro wrote:My 6 cell battery with my T60 feels like it's about to explode in flames sometimes, and burns my leg, but it wasn't in either of the recall lists.

Does anyone know if I have any recourse?

An important note regarding Lithium-Ion batteries:

When a Lithium-Ion battery overheats or experiences a short circuit, pressure and temperature can increase inside the battery cells. The cells are designed to release pressure and cell materials through vents in the cell can. This design is an important safety feature.

We have received a number of reports from customers that the Lithium-Ion batteries in their portable computers have overheated and "vented." Some customers reported hearing a hissing, cracking or popping sound immediately before these incidents. Smoke, sparks, and in some instances flames may escape from the battery during these incidents. The battery pack may become extremely hot and the heat may cause the bottom of the portable computer to become deformed. In extreme circumstances, the heat may create a hole in the bottom of the computer. Reports of these types of incidents have not been limited to our products or portable personal computers.

Users are encouraged to comply with the following instructions and to visit this Web site regularly for the latest information:

Heat and Product Ventilation

Computers, AC adapters, and many accessories can generate heat when turned on and when batteries are charging. Always follow these basic precautions:

-Do not leave your computer, AC adapter, or accessories in contact with your lap or any part of your body for an extended period when the products are functioning or when the battery is charging.

-Your computer, ACDC adapter, and many accessories produce some heat during normal operation. Extended contact with the body could cause discomfort or, potentially, a skin burn.

-Do not charge the battery or operate your computer, AC adapter, or accessories near flammable materials or in explosive environments.

-Ventilation slots, fans,and heat sinks are provided with the product for safety, comfort, and reliable operation. These features might inadvertently become blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, carpet, or other flexible surface. Never block, cover, or disable these features.

orck wrote:I just place the RMA for a new battery here also
If I understand correctly they will post me the new one and I am supposed to dispose the old one?
Does anybody knows for how long this Battery recall is effective?

marlinspike wrote:

orck wrote:I just place the RMA for a new battery here also
If I understand correctly they will post me the new one and I am supposed to dispose the old one?
Does anybody knows for how long this Battery recall is effective?

When I did it they sent me a new one in the mail, and included with it a website where I could find a local battery disposal center.