Lenovo and IBM Announce Recall of ThinkPad Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

Name of Product: Rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers

Units: About 168,500 battery packs (an additional 357,500 battery packs were sold worldwide).

Battery Distributor: Lenovo (United States) Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C. and International Business Machines Corp., of Armonk, N.Y.

Battery Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan

Hazard: These lithium-ion batteries can cause overheating, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lenovo has received one confirmed report of a battery overheating and causing a fire that damaged the notebook computer. The incident, which occurred within an airport terminal as the user was boarding an airplane, caused enough smoking and sparking that a fire extinguisher was used to put it out. There was minor property damage and no injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled lithium-ion batteries were sold with or sold separately to be used with the following ThinkPad notebook computers: T Series (T43, T43p, T60, T60p); R Series (R51e, R52, R60, R60e); and X Series (X60, X60s). The recalled batteries have the following part or model numbers, which can be found on the battery label:

Part/model number:

ASM P/N       FRU P/N
92P1072        92P1073
92P1088        92P1089
92P1142        92P1141
92P1170        92P1169 or 93P5028
92P1174        92P1173 or 93P5030

Sold Through: Lenovo and IBM's Web sites, telephone and direct sales, and Lenovo and IBM authorized distributors between February 2005 and September 2006 as an accessory for between $150 and $180 and as part of a ThinkPad notebook computer for between $750 and $3500.

Manufactured in: Japan and China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Lenovo to receive a replacement battery, free-of-charge. Until a replacement battery arrives, consumers can continue to use their computer by turning off the system, removing the battery, and plugging in the AC adapter and power cord. Consumers should use only genuine ThinkPad batteries obtained from either Lenovo or an authorized reseller.

Consumer Contact: Customers should contact Lenovo at (800) 426-7378 anytime or log on to www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram to determine if the battery is part of the recall and to receive a replacement battery.