The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·06145·Announced 2006-04-20

HP Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

HP is recalling specific notebook computer batteries that may overheat, melt, or catch fire. Consumers should stop using affected batteries and contact HP for a free replacement.

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 a fire hazard with reported minor burn injuries and property damage, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating (significant injury/property-damage reports).

Plain-English summary

Hewlett-Packard Company is recalling approximately 4,100 HP Pavilion and Compaq notebook computer batteries in the United States (about 15,700 worldwide) due to a fire and burn hazard. The recalled lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are a subset of those manufactured in early January 2005 and feature a bar code label starting with L3. These batteries were used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers, including the HP Pavilion Family dv1xxx and ze2xxx, HP Compaq Family nx48xx, and Compaq Presario Family V2xxx and M2xxx.

The internal failure of these batteries can cause them to overheat, melt, or char the plastic case. HP has received 20 reports of batteries overheating, including two in the United States. One minor burn injury and eleven cases of minor property damage, including one in the United States, have been reported.

The batteries were sold at national and regional computer and electronics stores, online stores, and at hp.com and hpshopping.com from January 2005 through December 2005. The notebook computers were sold for between $1,000 and $3,000, while the battery packs were sold separately for between $100 and $130. Consumers should stop using the "L3" coded batteries immediately and contact HP to determine if their specific battery is part of the recall. If it is, consumers will receive a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled battery, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the notebook until the replacement arrives.

The recalled product

Product
HP Pavilion and Compaq Notebook Computer Batteries
Manufacturer
Hewlett-Packard Company, of Palo Alto, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Electronics / Batteries
Hazard
Affected units
4,100

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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