Lenovo Recalls ThinkPad Batteries Due To Fire Hazards
Lenovo issued a worldwide recall on lithium-ion batteries from a number of ThinkPad models, saying they pose a fire hazard risk. Lenovo urged customers with a recalled battery to refrain from using it immediately.
Until a replacement battery arrives, you should turn off the system, remove the battery, and only power your ThinkPad by plugging in the AC adapter and power cord, the company said.
According to Lenovo, the batteries in question shipped in a number of countries, included in various ThinkPad notebook models between October 2010 and April 2011. The batteries were also sold separately. Lenovo said it sold the affected batteries with or as replacement batteries for the Edge 11, 13 and 14 series, the T410, T420, T510 and W510 series as well as the X100e, X120e, X200, X201 and X201s series. The battery pack looks like the one in the image below.
According to CSPC, there were ~34,500 units were shipped in the US and 2,900 in Canada, while China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has said the recall there involves 117,732 batteries worldwide, according to the Xinhua news bureau. The batteries were sold in October 2010 through April 2011 for between $350 and $3,000 when sold as part of ThinkPad notebook computers. The battery packs were also sold separately for between $80 and $150.
“The black battery packs measure between 8 to 11 inches long, 1 to 3 inches wide and about 1 inch high. Recalled battery packs have one of the following part numbers starting with the fourth digit in a long series of numbers and letters printed on a white sticker below the bar code on the battery pack: 42T4695, 42T4711, 42T4798, 42T4804, 42T4812, 42T4822, 42T4828, 42T4834, 42T4840 and 42T4890”
Lenovo is offering to replace batteries free of charge regardless of warranty status.
