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Sony recalls 100,000 batteries

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 3rd November 2008

Just when you thought that Sony might have learned from past mistakes and stopped manufacturing batteries that explode, another product recall comes our way.

According to an article published this weekend over on BetaNews the company has issued a recall for around 100,000 batteries worldwide that have problems with heat generation – possibly to the point of flash-incineration.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's report into the recall describes “19 reports of the batteries overheating, including 17 reports of flames/fire” with thankfully only two individuals being injured as a result. Accordingly, the Commission is making Sony recall all affected batteries.

A small number of Dell laptops – the Latitude 110L and Inspiron models 1100, 1150, 5100, and 5160 – are affected by the recall, as are a larger number of Toshiba units – Satellite models A70/A75, P30/P5, M30X/M35X, M50/M55, and Tecra models A3, A5, and S2. The bulk of the recall, however, is of Hewlett Packard laptops sold from December 2004 to June 2006, with a wide range of models affected. If you're in possession of a Pavilion DV1000, DV8000, ZD8000, Presario V2000 or V2400, or HP Compaq N6100, NC6120, NC6140, NC6220, NC6230, NX4800, NX4820, NX6110, NX6120, or NX8600 I'd recommend checking the details of you battery against those held in the recall documentation.

This is far from the first time that batteries manufactured by Sony have been fingered as the ignition point for a fire, and this latest gaffe looks to cost Sony big at a time when all companies are looking to tighten their belts against an ongoing slowdown in global spending.

Do you have a device covered under the return, or has it already exploded into a deadly fireball? Should Sony stop making batteries before they end civilisation as we know it? Share your thoughts over in the forums.

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