Re-igniting concerns over Sony-manufactured batteries used in notebook computers, Toshiba has expanded its recall of notebook batteries manufactured for its notebook computers by Sony. Toshiba is recalling the batteries due to fire risk; the company says only 5,100 of the batteries are potentially defective, but the company is recalling some 10,000 battery packs just to be sure all the recalled cells are exchanged. The new recall impacts models in Toshiba’s Satellite A100, Satellite A105, and and Tecra A7 lines. Toshiba is replacing the battery packs free of charge.
Overall, Toshiba’s addition of 10,000 batteries to the overall recall of Sony-made notebook batteries is just a drop in the bucket: last year, computer makers and Sony itself recalled nearly 10 million notebook batteries due to a manufacturing defect which could cause the batteries to overheat and catch fire. The total recall has cost Sony over $400 million to date.
Toshiba maintains a complete list of models impacted by the battery recall, and urges customers participate in the recall program. Customers with recalled batteries are urged to stop using the battery immediately and power their computers using AC adapters until a replacement arrives.
