100,000 ThinkPad Batteries Recalled Due To Fire Hazard
The CPSC has announced the recall of 100,000 ThinkPad extended life batteries. "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." Lenovo has received 4 reports of batteries overheating and damaging the notebook. There have been no injuries except "in one case, minor eye irritation to one consumer."
from the CPSC:
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. Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries and contact Lenovo for additional information and to receive a free replacement battery.Take this seriously, defective laptop batteries are nasty.—MEGHANN MARCO
Contact Info:
Lenovo (800) 426-7378 anytime, or log on to www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram
Lenovo Recalls ThinkPad Notebook PC Extended-Life Batteries Due to Fire Hazard [CPSC]
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Comments:
Whaddya know, my dad has one of those batteries. I had to think it over for a few minutes, but decided I'd file the claim for him, and get him a new battery.
The alternative was to take out a life insurance policy. He's quite flammable.
Check out this beautiful, beautiful work of customer support. After determining that my laptop battery may, indeed, set me on fire, Lenovo sent this message:
You will receive an email confirmation with this number. Please keep it for future reference.
We will notify you by email once your battery has been shipped. The email will include tracking information for your replacement battery. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for your replacement battery to arrive.
Again, we apologize for the inconvenience. While you await your replacement battery, you may continue to use your ThinkPad safely by turning off the system, removing the battery, and powering your system using an AC adapter.
A month and a half of making a laptop functionally useless as a laptop... that seems like a perfectly reasonable expectation.
@Omri:
It's not that big of a deal. Apparently the batteries are susceptible to overheating IF they are damaged. If you don't make a habit of dropping your laptop, I'm sure you'll be fine.
I think my thinkpad is on fire. I think.