Additional companies join battery recall

Toshiba and Fujitsu have joined a growing list of computer makers recalling Sony batteries in the latest blow to consumer confidence in Sony’s reputation as a manufacturer.

The two personal computer manufacturers joined others that have recalled Sony batteries including Dell, Apple and Lenovo.

Toshiba said on last week it would recall 830,000 laptop computer batteries, which Sony has said can short-circuit on rare occasions, overheat and catch fire. Fujitsu did not give the number of batteries to be replaced.

Sony also announced a battery replacement program late last week in the wake of yet another recall. Sony said short circuits could occur on rare occasions when tiny metal particles came in contact with other parts of the batteries.

IBM and Lenovo are recalling more than half a million notebook PC batteries made by Sony after a computer caught fire at Los Angeles International Airport.

Toshiba’s recall brings the number of Sony batteries recalled to more than 7 million since Dell in mid-August said it was recalling 4.1 million notebook batteries. Dell on Friday nudged up the number to 4.2 million.

A Toshiba spokesman said the company did not think there were any safety issues regarding its PCs using Sony-made batteries, but it would recall them anyway to alleviate customer concerns. He added that Toshiba is not likely to pick up the tab for the recall.

Source: Australian IT

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