HP Recalls 70,000 Laptop Batteries Due To Fire Hazard

On May 14th, Hewlett-Packard announced a recall for nearly 70,000 laptop batteries in response to reports of dangerous defects. In these reports, the batteries overheated and then ruptured into flames. Thankfully, no one was injured in these reports and the losses were limited to minor property damage.

HP quickly worked in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to initiate this recall of these Chinese-made Lithium Ion batteries. While HP is to be commended for their swift action, they have yet to officially comment on the recall or divulge the name of the Chinese manufacturer that these batteries came from.

The laptop batteries in question where made and primarily sold between August 2007 and March 2008. They were sold along with several models of HP and Compaq laptops, as well as being sold separately. If you'd like to see if your HP laptop battery may be at risk, the CPSC has posted an official release on the recall, including the models of laptops and batteries that are likely to be affected.

If you find that your HP laptop battery is among those listed in the recall, HP recommends that you contact them as soon as possible for a free replacement battery. In the meantime, laptop users are advised to use their HP laptop AC adapter as a power source until their new battery arrives.