Dell to recall notebook batteries

The battery packs were included in some models of Dell's Latitude notebook, seen above.

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(CNN) -- Computer maker Dell Inc. is voluntarily recalling 4.1 million lithium batteries used in its notebook computers because of the danger they could overheat, possibly causing a fire, the company said Monday.

The batteries, which were manufactured by Sony but carry the Dell brand, were sold with notebook computers from April 2004 through July 2006. Some of the recalled batteries also were sold individually as replacements, Dell said in a statement.

"Under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could cause a risk of fire," the statement said.

Dell models that are part of the recall include Latitude, Inspiron, Precision and XPS. The company has set up a toll-free hotline (1-866-342-0011) and a Web site (www.dellbatteryprogram.com) where customers can determine if their batteries are subject to the recall.

Dell said customers can continue to safely use their computers until the batteries are replaced by removing the batteries and using the electric power cord to operate their machines.

Dell negotiated conditions of the recall with the U.S. federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, which called it the largest electronics-related recall involving the agency, The Associated Press reported.

Rick Clancy, a Sony spokesman, told AP the companies have studied problems with the battery packs intensely for more than a month, after getting reports of about a half-dozen fires or smoking laptops in the United States.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in devices such as cell phones and digital music players. Clancy said tiny metallic particles sometimes short-circuit the battery cells, adding that configuration in an electronic device can contribute to problems, AP reported.

"But it begins with the (battery) cell, and we acknowledge that," he said. "That's why we're supporting Dell in this recall."

Sony to help pay for recall

Clancy said Sony would help Dell pay for the recall, but neither he nor Dell officials would estimate the campaign's price tag or say how the companies would divide the cost, AP reported.

Dell rival Hewlett-Packard Co. said it does not use Sony batteries and was not affected by the recall. Apple Computer Inc. is investigating whether its notebook batteries meet safety and performance standards, spokeswoman Lynn Fox told AP.

There have been numerous recent news reports about Dell laptops bursting into flames, and pictures of some of the charred machines have circulated on the Internet.

Monday's move was at least the third recall of Dell notebook batteries in the past five years.

Dell recalled 22,000 notebook computer batteries last December after symptoms that were similar to those that prompted Monday's recall. The company also recalled 284,000 batteries in 2001.

Ahead of the recall, Dell shares closed at $21.24, up 17 cents on the Nasdaq Stock Market. They fell 24 cents in after-hours trading.

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