HP Recalls More Notebook Batteries After Overheating Reports

Since last May, HP has received 40 reports of rechargeable notebook battery packs overheating and rupturing, which resulted in seven burn injuries, one smoke inhalation injury, and 36 instances of property damage, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in an advisory issued last week.

"The recalled lithium ion batteries can overheat and rupture, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers," according to the advisory.

The recalled battery packs were sold in notebooks ranging in price from $500 to $3,000 between July 2007 and July 2008. A total of 32 notebooks shipped with these battery packs, including HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario, HP G6000 and G7000HP, and HP Compaq 651x, 671x, 6520s and 6720s. The battery packs were also sold separately for between $100 and $160.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recommending that consumers check to see if they're part of the current recall. HP says it will provide a free replacement notebook battery pack for affected customers.

HP recalled 70,000 notebook batteries in May of 2009 and an additional 54,000 in May of last year.

HP, headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., also recalled about 32,000 Sony-made batteries in October 2008. Toshiba and Dell were also part of that voluntary product recall, with Toshiba recalling about 3,000 units and Dell recalling around 150.