Acer Recalls Computers for Fire Hazard

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Washington, D.C./April 25th - Release #07-167

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 certain part numbers and battery week codes and used in certain Acer notebook models, are included in the recall. See link below.

Sold at: 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.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a table of part numbers, battery week codes and Acer notebook models, as well as pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07167.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.