The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·06245·Announced 2006-08-24

Apple Recalls Sony Lithium-Ion Batteries for Fire Hazard in iBook and PowerBook

Apple is recalling about 1.1 million Sony-made lithium-ion batteries for specific iBook and PowerBook G4 computers due to a fire hazard. Consumers should stop using the batteries and contact Apple 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 burns and property damage, meeting the criteria for 'Severe' (significant injury/property-damage reports) without reaching 'Critical' as no serious injuries or deaths were reported.

Plain-English summary

Apple Computer Inc. is recalling rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony Energy Devices Corp. for certain previous 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4, and 15-inch PowerBook G4 notebook computers. The recall involves approximately 1.1 million battery packs sold in the United States. These batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Apple has received nine reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of minor burns from handling overheated computers and other reports of minor property damage. No serious injuries were reported. The affected batteries were sold at Apple's online store, Apple retail stores nationwide, and Apple Authorized Resellers from October 2003 through August 2006 for between $900 and $2,300. The batteries were also sold separately for about $130.

Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives. Consumers can contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 or log on to Apple's website to check the battery's serial number and request a replacement.

The recalled product

Product
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony for certain previous iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 notebook computers only
Manufacturer
Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan
Category
Consumer Product — Computer Batteries
Hazard
Affected units
700,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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Same manufacturer · Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan

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Same hazard · fire

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