Kyocera Cell Phone Batteries Recalled for Overheating and Burn Hazards
Kyocera is recalling approximately 1 million cell phone batteries due to reports of short-circuiting, overheating, and minor burn injuries.
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 recall involves significant injury reports (two minor burns) and property damage (smoke), which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating regarding significant injury or property-damage reports.
Plain-English summary
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is recalling approximately 1 million cell phone batteries used in the Slider, K400, and 3200 Series models. The recall was initiated because some batteries supplied by the manufacturer, Hecmma Group, may be counterfeit. These defective batteries can short-circuit and overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Kyocera has received 14 reports of battery failures that resulted in smoke and minor property damage. Additionally, two minor burn injuries have been reported. The affected phones were sold nationwide between December 2003 and September 2004 through various retailers, including ALLTEL, Virgin Mobile, Cricket Communications, MetroPCS, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless, as well as telemarketing retailers and websites.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries. Kyocera will contact consumers directly to arrange for a free replacement battery. If not contacted, consumers should call Kyocera Wireless Corp. toll-free at (866) 559-3882 or request a replacement online. The recalled batteries should be stored in an environment with non-flammable materials.
The recalled product
- Product
- Batteries in Kyocera Wireless Corp. Cell Phones
- Manufacturer
- Hecmma Group, of El Paso, Texas
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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