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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 |
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| TravelMate 321x | BT00604001 | | | 0521-0545 |
| | Aspire 980x | BT00804016 | | 63V, 63W, 63X, 63Y | |
| TravelMate 242x, TravelMate 330x | Aspire 556x | BT00604005 | 601-626 | | |
| TravelMate 561x | Aspire 930x, Aspire 941x | BT00807010 | 614-630 | | |
| TravelMate C20x | BT00604002 | | 5BR-5BZ; 5C1-5C9; 5CA-5CZ; 611-619; 621-629; 62A
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| TravelMate 422x, TravelMate 467x | Aspire 560x, Aspire 567x | BT00804011 | | | 0551-0626 |
| 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.
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 firms Web site at www.acerbatteryrecall.com/AcerWeb -- consumers also can contact Acer toll-free at (800) 503-2330 anytime.
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