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Lenovo Recalls ThinkPad Extended-Life Batteries

March 1, 2007
Lenovo is recalling lithium-ion extended-life batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers because of a fire hazard. About 100,000 battery packs were sold in the U.S., an additional 105,000 worldwide.

The batteries were manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., of Japan.

If the battery in the laptop is struck forcefully on the corner, such as from a direct fall to the ground, the battery pack can overheat and pose a fire hazard to users. This is not an internal battery cell defect.

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Lenovo has received four reports of batteries overheating and damaging the notebook. This caused damage to the notebook computers, minor property damage and, in one case, minor eye irritation to one consumer.

Lenovo sold these extended-life batteries with new ThinkPad notebook PCs or as optional or replacement batteries for the following ThinkPad notebook models: R Series (R60 and R60e), T Series (T60 and T60p) and Z Series (Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, and Z61p). The recalled 9-cell batteries have the following part number, which can be found on the battery label: FRU P/N 92P1131.

The batteries were sold through Lenovo's Web sites, telephone and direct sales, and Lenovo authorized distributors nationwide between November 2005 and February 2007, as an accessory for about $180, and as part of a ThinkPad notebook computer for between $750 and $3,500.

Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries and contact Lenovo for additional information and to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers should use only ThinkPad batteries obtained from either Lenovo or an authorized reseller.

Consumer Contact: Customers should contact Lenovo at (800) 426-7378 anytime, or log on to www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram to determine if the battery is part of the recall and to order a replacement battery.

Note that in September 2006, Lenovo conducted a recall of batteries manufactured by another firm for a different problem.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

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