Apple just sent out the following email about their recall of certain batteries for the PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) 15-Inch:
Subject: Important Safety Recall
Date: August 19, 2004 7:51:56 PM EDT
Dear Apple Customer:
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities, Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide from January 2004 through August 2004 for use with 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) notebook computers. Apple has initiated an exchange program and will provide you with a new replacement battery, free of charge.
Issue – The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple received four reports of these batteries overheating. No injuries have been reported. Apple urges you to stop using your battery and to order a replacement battery immediately. If you continue to use your battery, do not leave it unattended and check for signs of overheating.
Product – The recalled batteries have the Model Number: A1045 and serial numbers that begin with: HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407, or HQ408. Batteries with the affected serial numbers contain cells that were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea during the last week of December 2003 only. The model and serial numbers are located on the label on the bottom of the battery, and can be viewed by removing the battery from the computer. The serial number is printed in black lettering beneath a barcode. The battery is approximately 4.75-inches long by 3.25-inches wide by .75-inches high. The label located on the bottom of the battery reads in part, “15-inch PowerBook G4 Rechargeable Battery” and “Model No: A1045.”
No other PowerBook or iBook batteries are part of this recall.
What to do – To begin the battery exchange process, go to Apple’s website at:
(http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/batteryexchange)
You will be asked for the serial number of your 15-inch PowerBook G4, the serial number of your PowerBook battery and a ship to address. After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you free of charge. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping envelope and included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple. If you do not have access to the website listed above, please call Apple at 800-275-2273 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Central time, seven days a week, for further assistance.
Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program.
Apple
Original Reuters story from 03:00 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Apple Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL – news) has agreed to recall about 28,000 batteries used in its 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptop computers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (news – web sites) said on Thursday.
The batteries, made by LG Chem Ltd. (051910.KS) of South Korea (news – web sites), could overheat and pose a fire hazard, the CPSC said.
“Apple is not financially responsible for this recall,” Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said.
Apple has received four reports of overheating though no injuries have been reported, the consumer protection agency said.
The recall affects laptops sold since January which contain batteries made during the last week of December 2003 only.
The batteries have the model number A1045 and serial numbers that begin with HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407 or HQ408.
Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple at 800 275-2273 or (http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/batteryexchange), the CPSC said.
More information can be found here:
https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html
My batteries aren’t in the infected range of serials (HQ337, HQ415, W7343). Readers with affected batteries should comment about when/where they were purchased them and if they’ve had any symptoms related to heat. -Ed
Apple just sent out the following email about their recall of certain batteries for the PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) 15-Inch:
Subject: Important Safety Recall
Date: August 19, 2004 7:51:56 PM EDT
Dear Apple Customer:
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities, Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide from January 2004 through August 2004 for use with 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) notebook computers. Apple has initiated an exchange program and will provide you with a new replacement battery, free of charge.
Issue – The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple received four reports of these batteries overheating. No injuries have been reported. Apple urges you to stop using your battery and to order a replacement battery immediately. If you continue to use your battery, do not leave it unattended and check for signs of overheating.
Product – The recalled batteries have the Model Number: A1045 and serial numbers that begin with: HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407, or HQ408. Batteries with the affected serial numbers contain cells that were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea during the last week of December 2003 only. The model and serial numbers are located on the label on the bottom of the battery, and can be viewed by removing the battery from the computer. The serial number is printed in black lettering beneath a barcode. The battery is approximately 4.75-inches long by 3.25-inches wide by .75-inches high. The label located on the bottom of the battery reads in part, “15-inch PowerBook G4 Rechargeable Battery” and “Model No: A1045.”
No other PowerBook or iBook batteries are part of this recall.
What to do – To begin the battery exchange process, go to Apple’s website at:
(http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/batteryexchange)
You will be asked for the serial number of your 15-inch PowerBook G4, the serial number of your PowerBook battery and a ship to address. After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you free of charge. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping envelope and included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple. If you do not have access to the website listed above, please call Apple at 800-275-2273 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Central time, seven days a week, for further assistance.
Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program.
Apple
Original Reuters story from 03:00 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Apple Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL – news) has agreed to recall about 28,000 batteries used in its 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptop computers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (news – web sites) said on Thursday.
The batteries, made by LG Chem Ltd. (051910.KS) of South Korea (news – web sites), could overheat and pose a fire hazard, the CPSC said.
“Apple is not financially responsible for this recall,” Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said.
Apple has received four reports of overheating though no injuries have been reported, the consumer protection agency said.
The recall affects laptops sold since January which contain batteries made during the last week of December 2003 only.
The batteries have the model number A1045 and serial numbers that begin with HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407 or HQ408.
Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple at 800 275-2273 or (http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/batteryexchange), the CPSC said.
More information can be found here:
https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html
My batteries aren’t in the infected range of serials (HQ337, HQ415, W7343). Readers with affected batteries should comment about when/where they were purchased them and if they’ve had any symptoms related to heat. -Ed
