The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·07118·Announced 2007-03-01

Lenovo Recalls ThinkPad Extended-Life Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

Lenovo is recalling approximately 100,000 lithium-ion extended-life batteries for ThinkPad notebooks because they can overheat and cause fires if struck forcefully.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with reported property damage and minor injury, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where significant injury or death has not been reported.

Plain-English summary

Lenovo is recalling approximately 100,000 lithium-ion extended-life batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers. The recall affects 9-cell batteries with part number FRU P/N 92P1131, which were sold as accessories or included with new ThinkPad R, T, and Z Series models between November 2005 and February 2007. An additional 105,000 battery packs were sold worldwide.

The batteries pose a fire hazard if the laptop is struck forcefully on the corner, such as from a direct fall to the ground. In such cases, the battery pack can overheat. Lenovo has received four reports of batteries overheating and damaging the notebook computers. These incidents resulted in minor property damage and, in one case, minor eye irritation to a consumer. The source notes that this is not an internal battery cell defect.

Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries and contact Lenovo to receive a free replacement battery. Customers can call (800) 426-7378 or visit www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram to determine if their battery is part of the recall and to order a replacement. Consumers should use only ThinkPad batteries obtained from Lenovo or an authorized reseller.

The recalled product

Product
Lithium-ion extended-life batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers
Affected units
100,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.