Toshiba Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony cells used in Toshiba notebook computers.

Units: About 1,400

Computer Importer: Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan

Hazard: The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Toshiba has received three reports outside of the United States of notebook batteries overheating. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled lithium-ion batteries were sold with, or sold separately to be used with the following notebook computer models: Satellite A100, Satellite A105 and Tecra A7. The battery model is printed on the battery.

Model	Computer Model Prefix Number (first 2 digits of serial number)	Model Prefix (first 6 characters)	Manufacturing Date Range	Estimated Retail Pricing (when sold)
Satellite A100	16, 26, 36, 46	PSAA0U	January 1, 2006 – April 30, 2006	About $1,300
Satellite A105	16, 26, 36, 46	PSAA2U PSAA8U PSAA9U	January 1, 2006 – April 30, 2006	About $1,000
Tecra A7	16, 26, 36, 46	PTA70U PTA71U	January 1, 2006 – April 30, 2006	About $700

Sold through: Authorized electronics retailers nationwide from January 2006 through April 2006 for between $680 and $1,300 for the computer systems and for between $90 and $120 when sold separately.

Manufactured in: China (battery packs)

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries and contact Toshiba to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely, by turning the system off, removing the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received. Consumers should use only batteries obtained from Toshiba or from an authorized Toshiba reseller.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toshiba at (800) 457-7777 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.bxinfo.toshiba.com

Gateway Inc. Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today (6/19/2007) announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Gateway Lithium Ion Battery Packs

Units: About 14,000 Battery

Distributor: Gateway Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Hazard: These lithium-ion battery packs can overheat, which could pose a fire hazard to consumers. This is not an internal battery cell defect.

Incidents/Injuries: Gateway has received four reports of battery packs overheating, including minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled battery packs were shipped as the primary or spare battery pack for some Gateway 400VTX and 450ROG series notebooks, and are identified by part numbers: 6500760 or 6500761. The part number and “made by SMP” are printed on a label on the underside of the battery pack.

Sold through: Gateway’s professional and direct distributors and Gateway Country stores nationwide from May 2003 through August 2003. The computers with these batteries sold for between $1,200 and $2,400 and individual batteries sold for between $60 and $90.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled batteries immediately and contact Gateway to receive a replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, removing the battery pack, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Gateway at (800) 292-6813 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT seven days a week or visit the company’s Web site at www.gateway.com/battery