Lenovo Recalls 205,000 Notebook Batteries

Lenovo does it it again! Those pesky notebook batteries are up to more trouble. As you may still remember, Lenovo recalled 526,000 Sony batteries in September 2006, but the current recall involves Sanyo batteries. In order to avoid unwanted disasters, Lenovo, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced the voluntary recall of approximately 205,000 extended-life, 9-cell battery packs. In the interests of customer safety, Lenovo is willing to offer free-of-charge replacements for all recalled notebook battery packs.

Lenovo admitted that notebook computers containing the recalled battery packs may overheat, posing a potential safety hazard to users, which could very well lead to incendiary problems. Lenovo advises customers to determine if they are using one of the designated battery packs as soon as possible.
All included battery packs or optional - replacement battery packs that came with the below listed models should immediately be returned to Lenovo points of sale and resellers:
R60 and R60e Series
T60 and T60p Series
Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, and Z61p Series

These models may have shipped with either regular or extended-life, 9-cell battery packs. Lenovo states that only some of the larger, extended-life, 9-cell battery packs with the part number FRU P/N 92P1131 are being recalled. Consumers who have battery packs affected by this recall and who intend to transport their ThinkPad or use it in a manner that may subject it to a strong external impact, are strongly advised to use their computers only by turning off the system, removing the battery, and powering the ThinkPad through the AC adapter and power cord. Customers should use only genuine ThinkPad battery packs obtained from either Lenovo or an authorized reseller.

If customers cannot properly determine if the battery pack used in their notebook PC is subject to this recall, they should immediately call Lenovo. In addition, they are advised to visit www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram or call the Service Center at 1-800-426-7378. International support numbers are available at www.lenovo.com/thinkpad/wwphonelist.