Dell Recalls 22,000 Notebook Batteries

Leading computer maker, working in conjunction with CPSC, issues voluntary notebook battery recall notice after reported incidents of overheating and fire damage.

Dell and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 22,000 Dell notebook computer batteries. The reason for the recall is that the batteries could overheat, which could pose a fire risk.

Dell said they had received three reports of batteries overheating, with the incidents involving damage to a tabletop, a desktop, and minor damage to personal effects. No injuries have been reported.

The specific notebook batteries being recalled were sold with the following Dell notebook computers: Latitude D410, D505, D510, D600, D610, D800, D810; Inspiron 510M, 600M, 6000, 8600, 9200, 9300, XPS Gen 2; and Dell Precision M20 and M70 mobile workstations. The batteries were also sold separately, including as secondary batteries and in response to service calls. All of the impacted batteries were sold from October 5, 2004 through October 13, 2005. The computers with these batteries sold for between $900 and $2,650, and individual batteries sold for between $99 and $179.

The batteries insert into the battery bay located on the underside of the notebook. “Dell” and “Made in Japan” or “Made in China” are stamped on the batteries. The identification number for each battery appears on a white sticker (impacted numbers can be viewed here). Dell said users should contact them toll-free at (866) 342-0011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, go to the firm’s Web site, or write to: Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Program, 9701 Metric Blvd., Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758.