Dell Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Over Safety Fears

Computer manufacturer Dell has been forced to conduct the largest electronics-related recall in history over safety fears relating to their notebook  batteries.

The Texas-based company is recalling 4.1 million laptop batteries made by Sony because they can overheat and burst into flames.

“In rare cases, a short circuit could cause the battery to overheat, causing a risk of smoke and/or fire,” reveals spokesman Ira Williams. “It happens in rare cases, but we opted to take this broad action immediately.”

Sony admits it’s received about half a dozen reports of fires or smoking laptops over the past few months, with incidents in the U.S., Japan and Singapore.

The lithium ion product, which is used in everything from cell phones to MP3 players, is a common device to power electronic gadgets. So what happened in this case?

Sony explains that tiny metallic particles can sometimes lead to a spark or short circuit, creating the fire hazard and that the original configuration may be to blame.

And many were fearful what might happen if that flame occurred while a motorist was driving down the highway or if a passenger were on an airplane.

“Basically it’s a situation where the battery either short circuits and shuts off or it short circuits, warms up and catches fire,” explains John Challinor of Sony Canada. 

But he insists the problem isn’t as bad as it seems. “They were placed in about 4.1 million notebook PCs, and there have been six incidents in the United States of these cells short circuiting and catching fire.”

Sony plans to help the computer maker pay for the massive call back, which could hurt Dell’s already depressed bottom lines. The company’s shares have actually lost half their value in the last year as the volume of sales fell off.

Dell knows this is likely to make things worse, but had no choice but to announce the recall.

And it may not be the only one. Hewlett-Packard, Dell’s direct rival, doesn’t use Sony batteries in its products so their laptops aren’t affected.

But Apple admits it’s checking into whether all of its notebooks meet safety standards.

It’s the third recall of Dell notebook batteries in the last five years. Some 22,000 portables were brought back for fire concerns last December. And more batteries were recalled for the same problem in 2001.

The lithium-ion battery packs were installed in Dell’s Latitude, Inspiron, XPS and Precision laptops between April 1, 2004 and July 18, 2006.

The recalled batteries were sold with or sold separately to be used with the following Dell notebook computers:

Latitude(TM) D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, D810

Inspiron(TM) 6000, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 500m, 510m, 600m, 6400, E1505, 700m, 710m, 9400, E1705

Dell Precision(TM) M20, M60, M70 and M90 mobile workstations

XPS(TM), XPS Gen2, XPS M170 and XPS M1710

“Dell” and one of the following markings are printed on the batteries: “Made in Japan,” “Made in China,” or “Battery Cell Made in Japan Assembled in China.” The identification number for each battery appears on a white sticker.

Experts suggest only running the affected machines using a power cord until you get the replacement.  

For more information, call Dell’s toll-free hotline at 1-866-342-0011 or visit http://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/.