HP Recalls Notebook Computer 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: HP and Compaq Notebook Computer Batteries

Units: About 4,100 (about 15,700 batteries worldwide)

Importer: Hewlett-Packard Company, of Palo Alto, Calif.

Hazard: An internal failure can cause the battery to overheat and melt or char the plastic case, posing a burn and fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: HP has received 20 reports of batteries overheating, including two in the United States. One minor burn injury has been reported. Eleven cases of minor property damage were reported, including one in the United States.

Description: The recalled lithium ion rechargeable batteries are used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers. The recalled batteries are a subset of those manufactured in early January 2005, and will have a bar code label starting with L3.

Sold at: National and regional computer and electronics stores, online stores, and at hp.com and hpshopping.com from January 2005 through December 2005 for between $1,000 and $3,000. The battery packs also were sold separately for between $100 and $130.

Manufactured In: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the “L3″ coded batteries immediately and contact HP to determine if the specific battery is one of the ones being recalled, and if it is, receive a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled battery from their notebook computer, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the notebook until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, visit the HP Battery Replacement Program Web Site at hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement , or contact HP at (888) 202-4320 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Media Contact: Tom Augenthaler at (281) 514-4126

To view this recall online, please visit our website at: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06145.html