Toshiba Recalls More Notebook Batteries

Toshiba has issued its second recall in a month of Sony laptop batteries that could overheat and burst into flames.

The latest recall, announced Thursday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, affects about 1,400 notebooks. The models include the Toshiba Satellite A100 and A105, and the Toshiba Tecra A7, which sell for as little as $680.

The recall stemmed from three reports outside of the United States of laptop batteries overheating. No injuries were reported, but the CPSC is advising laptop computer owners to run the systems on AC power and send the batteries back to Toshiba for replacements at no charge.

Toshiba in July recalled 10,000 batteries in Toshiba Satellite and Toshiba Tecra laptops. The company reported in June that a Sony laptop battery was responsible for at least two notebooks bursting into flames. The CPSC has listed 16 reports of Sony lithium-ion notebook batteries overheating.

Apple, Dell, Lenovo, Gateway, and Acer America also have issued recalls of the faulty rechargeable batteries. The global effort started last year when power sources used in notebooks from several manufacturers began showing defects and overheating. Sony last year recalled 9.6 million batteries, making it the largest recall ever in the computer industry.

While the recalls haven’t hurt notebook sales, experts have said that even more battery problems could push some buyers to switch brands. A survey of corporate buyers and consumers found 15% would change their buying plans because of the recalls, according to IDC. While far from a majority, the number was high enough to cause a sway in market share, especially in the corporate segment where buyers purchase large numbers of laptops.

Model numbers for the batteries in the latest recall are:

Toshiba PSAA0U, Toshiba PSAA2U, Toshiba PSAA8U, Toshiba PSAA9U, Toshiba PTA70U, and Toshiba PTA71U.

News source: informationweek.com