62,384 News Articles

HP laptop batteries pose fire hazard

Worldwide battery recall programme extended

HP has extended a worldwide recall programme for batteries that could cause laptops to overheat and pose a fire hazard.

The company said it added new battery models to an original laptop recall programme announced May 14 of last year and updated last October. The lithium-ion batteries are being used in more than 30 models worldwide in HP's laptop brands including Compaq Presario, Pavilion, HP and HP Compaq.

In a statement warning about the hazardous batteries, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission advised users to "stop using recalled products immediately".

HP and CPSC were aware of two incidents where the batteries overheated, resulting in flames and fire that caused property damage, the agency said. No injuries were reported.

The battery packs may have shipped in laptops manufactured between August 2007 and May 2008. HP assumes that "less than 3 percent" of the laptops contained the affected battery packs.

Users can verify whether a battery is eligible for replacement on HP's website. The laptop batteries will be replaced free, HP said.

See also:

Laptop reviews

Send to a friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:


PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.