According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Hewlett-Packard Co. is recalling nearly 16,000 HP and Compaq notebook computer batteries due to a burn and fire hazard.
The agency states that HP has received 20 reports of batteries overheating and that one incident resulted in minor burns.
The recall is for lithium ion rechargeable batteries manufactured in early January 2005 and used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers. The affected batteries have a bar code label starting with L3, the agency said.
The batteries were manufactured in China, and the computers were sold in the United States at retail and online stores from January 2005 through December 2005 for between $1,000 and $3,000, the CPSC said. Battery packs were also sold separately for between $100 and $300.
Model numbers of the affected laptops include: dv1xxx and ze2xxx in the HP Pavilion Family, nx48xx in the HP Compaq Family, and V2xxx and M2xxx in the Compaq Presario Family, according to the CPSC.
The agency said consumers with an “L3” coded battery should stop using it immediately and contact HP to determine if the battery is being recalled and for a free replacement battery if it is included in the recall.
If you need more information, it is available by calling HP at 888-202-4320, or visiting the HP Battery Replacement Program Web site at this HP’s web site.
