Acer America Corporation Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires

WASHINGTON, April 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Acer America Corporation, today announced a voluntary program for the replacement of certain notebook computer lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells. Consumers should only use the notebook computer using AC power until a replacement battery pack is received. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/.)

Name of Product: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells used in Acer notebook computers

Units: About 27,000

Computer Importer and Distributor: Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, Calif.

  Computer Manufacturer:  Acer Inc., of Taiwan
  Battery Cell Manufacturer:  Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan

Hazard: The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: As announced previously, there have been 16 reports of notebook batteries overheating. These reports were associated with earlier recalls by other notebook computer manufacturers of batteries containing these Sony cells. These previous reports involved only minor property damage and two minor burns. None of these reports involved batteries in Acer notebook computers.

Description: Only lithium-ion batteries with the following part numbers and battery week codes and used in the following Acer notebook models, are included in the recall:

  Acer Notebook System    Acer Battery     Battery      Battery     Battery
  Series Beginning        Pack No. (Part   Pack Serial  Week        Week
  with:                   of Barcode)      Week Code    Code        Code
                                           Range        Range (in   Range
                                           (Part of     front of    on Red
                                           Barcode)     Barcode)    Sticker
  TravelMate 321x         BT00604001                               0521-0545
  Aspire 980x             BT00804016                    63V, 63W,
                                                        63X, 63Y
  TravelMate              BT00604005        601-626
   242x,       Aspire
  TravelMate    556x
   330x
  TravelMate   Aspire     BT00807010        614-630
   561x         930x,
               Aspire
                941x
  TravelMate              BT00604002                    5BR-5BZ;
   C20x                                                 5C1-5C9;
                                                        5CA-5CZ;
                                                        611-619;
                                                        621-629;
                                                        62A
  TravelMate   Aspire     BT00804011                               0551-0626
   422x,        560x,
  TravelMate   Aspire
   467x         567x
  TravelMate 320x         BTT4807001         418-552

Sold Through: Authorized electronics retailers nationwide from May 2004 through November 2006 for between $500 and $1,500

Manufactured in: China and Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled batteries immediately and contact Acer to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, removing the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.

Customer Contact: For assistance in determining if their battery packs are covered by this program and to request a free replacement battery pack, consumers can visit the firm's Web site at http://www.acerbatteryrecall.com/AcerWeb. Consumer also can contact Acer toll-free at (800) 503-2330 anytime.

  Acer Recall Hotline: (800) 503-2330
  CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
  CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7908
  Acer Media Contact: (408) 533-7742