CPSC, Hewlett-Packard Company Announce Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries

Name of Product: HP and Compaq Notebook Computer Battery Packs

Units: About 135,000 battery packs worldwide, including about 85,000 in the U.S.

Importer: Hewlett-Packard Company, of Palo Alto, Calif.

Hazard: An internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat and melt or char the plastic case, posing a burn and fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: HP has received 16 reports of batteries overheating, including four in the U.S. No injuries have been reported. Four cases of minor property damage were reported, including one in the U.S.

Description: The recalled lithium ion rechargeable battery packs are used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers (see list below). The recalled battery packs are a subset of those manufactured March 2004 through September 2004, and will have a bar code label starting with GC, IA, L0 or L1.

Sold at: National and regional computer and electronics stores, online stores, hp.com and hpshopping.com from March 2004 through May 2005 for between $1,000 and $3,000. The battery packs also were sold separately for between $100 and $130.

Manufactured in: Battery packs manufactured in China and Taiwan.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact HP to arrange for a free replacement battery by visiting the Battery Replacement program Web site or by calling HP. After removing the recalled battery for their notebook computer, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the notebook until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, visit the HP Battery Replacement program Web site at www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement or contact HP at (888) 404-7398 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Media Contact: Mike Hockey at (281) 927-9379

NOTE: Recalled battery packs have bar-code labels starting with GC, IA, L0, or L1