Acer Laptops Join Recall List

Laptops equipped with Sony lithium-ion batteries continue to be recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The latest: Acer.

The Acer recall encompasses 27,000 batteries included in eight TravelMate models and six Aspire models. (Consumer Reports recommends an Acer laptop, the Acer Aspire AS5610-4537, but it is not included in the recall.) You can find specific model listings and battery serial numbers at Acer’s page.

According to the CPSC, there have been 16 reports of overheating laptops that use the Sony batteries. Other companies have issued similar recalls since the problem was first revealed, including:

• Fujitsu, Gateway, Sony and Toshiba
  
• Dell
  
• Apple
  
• Lenovo and IBM

Consumers affected by this recall should stop using the batteries and use AC power only. Follow the directions in your computer's manual to safely remove the battery. If you’re a laptop user, stay tuned to media reports and check back to see if the recall is expanded.

-- Donna Tapellini