The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·04559·Announced 2004-06-24

Verizon Recalls Counterfeit LG TM-510 Cell Phone Batteries

Verizon Wireless is recalling approximately 50,000 counterfeit LG-branded TM-510 cell phone batteries because they lack safety devices and can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly reports injuries to users and property damage resulting from the fire and burn hazards associated with the counterfeit batteries, which meets the criteria for a Severe (Score 4) classification.

Plain-English summary

Verizon Wireless is recalling approximately 50,000 counterfeit LG-branded TM-510 cell phone batteries. These batteries were sold at Verizon Wireless retail locations nationwide and on the company's website from August 2002 to November 2003 for between $40 and $60. The recalled batteries are found in LG TM-510 model cell phones and have specific manufacturer/date codes: "AEMLLL 02220," "AEMMHH 02220," "AEMLLL 02X25H," or "AEMMHH 02725."

The recall is being issued because these counterfeit batteries do not contain a safety device in the circuitry to prevent overcharging, especially when used with a non-LG charger. This defect can cause the batteries to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to users. Verizon Wireless has received 18 reports of incidents involving these counterfeit batteries, including injuries to users and property damage.

Consumers with an LG TM-510 cell phone battery having one of the identified manufacturer/date codes and purchased from Verizon Wireless should stop charging the battery immediately. They should contact Verizon Wireless at (800) 922-0204 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a replacement battery. Verizon Wireless is also sending letters directly to consumers notifying them of this hazard.

The recalled product

Product
Counterfeit LG-branded TM-510 Cell Phone Batteries
Manufacturer
Verizon Wireless of Bedminster, N.J.
Category
Consumer Product — Cell Phone Batteries
Hazard
Affected units
50,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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