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Acer America Corporation Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2007
Release #07-167

Acer Recall Hotline: (800) 503-2330
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7908
Acer Media Contact: (408) 533-7742

Acer America Corporation Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Acer America Corporation, today announced a voluntary program for the replacement of certain notebook computer lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells. Consumers should only use the notebook computer using AC power until a replacement battery pack is received. Name of product: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells used in Acer notebook computers.

Units: About 27,000

Computer Importer and Distributor: Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, Calif.

Computer Manufacturer: Acer Inc., of Taiwan

Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan

Hazard: The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: As announced previously, there have been 16 reports of notebook batteries overheating. These reports were associated with earlier recalls by other notebook computer manufacturers of batteries containing these Sony cells. These previous reports involved only minor property damage and two minor burns. None of these reports involved batteries in Acer notebook computers.

Description: Only lithium-ion batteries with the following part numbers and battery week codes and used in the following Acer notebook models, are included in the recall:

Acer Notebook System Series Beginning with:		Acer Battery Pack No. (Part of Barcode)	Battery Pack Serial Week Code Range (Part of Barcode)	Battery Week Code Range (in front of Barcode)	Battery Week Code Range on Red Sticker
TravelMate 321x		BT00604001			0521-0545
	Aspire 980x	BT00804016		63V, 63W, 63X, 63Y
TravelMate 242x, TravelMate 330x	Aspire 556x	BT00604005	601-626
TravelMate 561x	Aspire 930x, Aspire 941x	BT00807010	614-630
TravelMate C20x		BT00604002		5BR-5BZ; 5C1-5C9; 5CA-5CZ; 611-619; 621-629; 62A
TravelMate 422x, TravelMate 467x	Aspire 560x, Aspire 567x	BT00804011			0551-0626
TravelMate 320x		BTT4807001	418-552

Picture of Recalled Notebook Computer (bottom)

Sold through: Authorized electronics retailers nationwide from May 2004 through November 2006 for between $500 and $1,500.

Manufactured in: China and Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled batteries immediately and contact Acer to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, removing the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.

Consumer Contact: For assistance in determining if their battery packs are covered by this program and to request a free replacement battery pack, consumers can visit the firm’s Web site at www.acerbatteryrecall.com/AcerWeb -- consumers also can contact Acer toll-free at (800) 503-2330 anytime.