Acer America Corporation Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Originally released April 25, 2007
Revised July 17, 2008
Release #07-167

Acer Recall Hotline: (866) 496-2237
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7908
Acer Media Contact: (408) 533-7742


Acer America Corporation Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires

Note: Toll-free Phone Number Change

WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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.

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
Series Beginning with:
Acer Battery Pack No. (Part of Barcode)Battery Pack Serial Week Code Range (Part of Barcode)Battery Week Code Range (in front of Barcode)Battery Week Code Range on Red Sticker
TravelMate 321xBT00604001  0521-0545
 Aspire 980xBT00804016 63V, 63W, 63X, 63Y 
TravelMate 242x, TravelMate 330xAspire 556xBT00604005601-626  
TravelMate 561xAspire 930x, Aspire 941xBT00807010614-630  
TravelMate C20xBT00604002 5BR-5BZ; 5C1-5C9; 5CA-5CZ; 611-619; 621-629; 62A  
TravelMate 422x, TravelMate 467xAspire 560x, Aspire 567xBT00804011  0551-0626
TravelMate 320xBTT4807001418-552  

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.

Consumer 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 www.acerbatteryrecall.com/AcerWeb -- consumers also can contact Acer toll-free at (866) 496-2237 anytime.


Picture of Recalled Notebook Computer


Picture of Recalled Notebook Computer (bottom)