Sony Recall: Not Batteries This Time, But AC Adapters

Sony announced a recall of AC adapters for certain all-in-one VAIO desktops due to potential shock hazards. The adapter model number is VGP-AC19V17. It was sold after September 2007 with these systems: VGC-LT; VGC-JS240; VGC-JS250; VGC-JS270; and VGC-JS290.

The adapter was also sold with notebook docking stations after September 2005. The docking stations are model numbers VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1.

The company is replacing the adapters with new ones. You’ll find more information on Sony’s Web site, where you can also confirm whether your specific adapter is affected. (Unplug it if it’s on the list.) You can also call 877-361-4481 for more information. —Donna Tapellini

CPSC taps popular Web sites to share recall, safety information

We here on the Electronics Blog try to alert readers whenever we catch wind of a recall from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), such as overheating laptop batteries and incendiary charging stations for Wii controllers.

Yesterday, the CPSC began reaching out directly to consumers with a multi-site, Web 2.0 blitz. For news on product recalls and other consumer safety issues, you can now tune in to the CPSC’s YouTube channel, view their new blog, check out their Flickr photo stream, and follow them on Twitter. They’ve also introduced a widget for updates on news and product recalls.

For more on the CPSC's outreach initiative, check out "CPSC ventures into the blogosphere" on the Consumer Reports Safety Blog. —Nick K. Mandle

Wii Charge Stations recalled due to burn hazard

If you own a Wii™ 4-Dock Battery Recharge Station with the brand name Psyclone Essentials or React, stop using it immediately. The battery pack can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a voluntary recall of the product today, in cooperation with Griffin International, which makes the charger and other third-party video game console accessories.

There have been six reported incidents, with two reports of minor injuries involving burns to the hand.

Some 220,000 products subject to the recall were sold between January 2008 and July 2009: the Psyclone (PSE6501) Recharge Stations were sold at Target, Toys R Us, and Amazon.com, and the React model (RT530) was sold at Best Buy. The brand name and model numbers are located on the bottom of the product and/or on the packaging.

If you own one of these chargers, contact Griffin International toll free at 888-344-4702, or at productsaftey@psyclonggamer.com/Wii4Dock to acquire a redesigned replacement.

Images courtesy of CPSC.

160,000 Jitterbug cell phones recalled

Samsung Jitterbug phones recalled: the SPH-a120, left, and SPH-a110, right. (Click to enlarge.) [Photo: CPSC]

Samsung and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a recall of Jitterbug cell phones, some of which can fail to connect to 911 under some circumstances.

Affected model numbers are SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 with version BB14 software.

The CPSC reports that Samsung and Jitterbug are contacting customers directly to schedule a free software upgrade. If you own one of the recalled models and haven't yet been contacted, call Samsung toll-free at (866) 304-4980.

HP, CPSC recall 70,000 laptop batteries

HP, Compaq and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a recall of about 70,000 laptop computer batteries. The batteries can overheat, causing burns or fire damage.

The following laptop models, sold between August 2007 and March 2008, might contain a recalled battery:

HP Pavilion	Compaq Presario	HP	HP Compaq
dv2000 dv2500 dv2700 dv6000 dv6500 dv6700 dv9000 dv9500 dv9700	A900 C700 F700 V3000 V3500 V3700 V6000 V6500 V6700	G6000 G7000	6720s

If you suspect your laptop might have a recalled battery, carefully check the battery's bar code. (For photos of where to find the bar code, visit the CPSC's recall announcement page.) Batteries with any of the following bar-code labels should be removed immediately from the laptop, and owners should contact HP for a free replacement. In the meantime, the laptop can be powered via the AC wall adapter. (Note: "^" indicates any number or letter.)

62940^^AXV^^^^

65033^^B7U^^^^ 65033^^B7V^^^^ 65033^^BGU^^^^

65035^^B7U^^^^ 65035^^B7V^^^^ 65035^^BGU^^^^ 65035^^BGV^^^^

67059^^V8U^^^^ 67059^^V8V^^^^

HP Contact Info: (800) 889-2031, or http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement

Insignia TVs recalled for fire hazard

About 13,000 Insignia 26-inch LCD TVs—model IS-LCDTV26, at right— have been recalled by Best Buy and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The sets can catch fire if the LCD TV's power supply fails, says the CPSC report.

The Insignia small-screen models were sold at Best Buy stores nationwide from August 2005 through June 2006. If you suspect your TV could be among the recalled models, unplug it immediately and check the model number on the back. (Click on the image at right for a closer look at how to find the model number information.)

Owners of the recalled TVs should contact Best Buy at (800) 233-0462, the company's recall hotline. Best Buy will issue gift cards for the value of a replacement TV.

In general, Insignia-brand TVs have faired well in CR's TV Ratings. Although they're consistently a step below the best sets, they've performed well, especially for the money.

For more on recalls and issues regarding consumer safety, visit the Consumer Reports Safety Blog.

Apple's bloating batteries

With all those highly-publicized recalls of laptop batteries, we had yet to have an incident with any of the hundreds of laptops passing through our labs. Until now.

One of our engineers noticed that the two-year-old Apple MacBook Pro, which had been sitting unused and disconnected for a few months appeared to be lifting itself off the shelf! Sure enough, an inspection showed that its normally-flat-sided battery had gotten "fat" due to the expansion of one or more cells in its lithium-ion battery pack. (Click on the picture at right for a closer look.) There was no evidence of overheating or electrical trauma, just the plumping. Even the battery-condition meter on the side still indicated a partial charge.

We checked online, and this battery was NOT within the range of serial numbers included in the official Apple "battery exchange program" (now closed) of a couple years ago. But we also found other MacBook Pro owners' online complaints about expanding batteries; some hinted at a "silent recall" by Apple. We finally found this battery update notice (http://www.apple.com/support/macbook_macbookpro/batteryupdate) recommending a software update and offering a free replacement battery to MacBook and MacBook Pro owners whose batteries had "visibly deformed."

Another recall of Sony laptop batteries

The problems with defective laptop batteries continue. This time the affected manufacturer is Sony, whose laptop batteries were involved in a massive recall in 2007. In the new case, the Consumer Product Safety Commission received close to 20 reports of the Sony-manufactured batteries overheating, including 17 instances of them catching fire.

Laptops with the affected batteries were sold by Dell from November 2004 to November 2005; Toshiba from April 2005 to October 2005; and HP from December 2004 through June 2006. The batteries were also sold separately.

Here's a list of models that might contain the recalled batteries:

• HP Pavilion: dv1000, dv8000 and zd8000
• Compaq Presario: v2000 and v2400
• HP Compaq: nc6110, nc6120, nc6140, nc6220, nc6230, nx4800, nx4820, nx6110, nx6120, nx9600
• Toshiba Satellite: A70/A75, P30/P5, M30X/M35X, M50/M55
• Toshiba Tecra: A3, A5, S2
• Dell Latitude: 110L
• Dell Inspiron: 1100, 1150, 5100, 5150, 5160

If you own any of the above laptops, remove the battery and check the manufacturer's Web site or call the provided toll-free number to see if your system is affected. You'll also find instructions there on how to return the battery for a free one.

You can also check the CPSC's official announcement, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09035.html, for more information—including images of the laptops and batteries affected by this recall.

Here's the contact info:

• HP: http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement
  800-889-2031 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
• Toshiba: http://www.bxinfo.toshiba.com
  800-457-7777.
• Dell: http://www.dellbatteryprogram.com
  866-342-0011 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

—Donna Tapellini

iPhone 3G: Apple recalls faulty chargers

Apple announced a very important recall of the power adapters used to charge its new iPhone 3G. It seems that the metal blades or "prongs" may have a tendency to break off when the adapter is pulled out of the wall outlet, creating a potential electrical shock hazard.

According to Apple's official recall announcement, only some iPhone 3G adapters have this defect. The image above shows the adapters that are affected by this recall. If your adapter has a green dot (see image below), you're ok—there is no problem, and you can continue using the product. (Click on both images for closer looks.)

If you have one of the defective adapters, Apple advises that you immediately stop using the adapter. Apple will provide a new, redesigned adapter starting Oct. 10. You can request a replacement online (https://supportform.apple.com/200809/) or exchange a faulty adapter at any Apple retail store.

In the meantime, here’s how affected iPhone 3G owners can recharge their phones, according to Apple:

"...charge their iPhone 3G by connecting it to their computer with the USB cable that came with their iPhone or by using a standard-sized Apple USB Power Adapter (with fold up prongs) or with a third party adapter designed to work with the iPhone, such as a car charger."

This charger recall is the most recent problem affecting Apple's hot iPhone. Earlier this month, Apple announced a firmware upgrade for the iPhone to fix several issues, including dropped calls, e-mail reliability, and battery life.

Sony recalls notebooks that may overheat

Sony's VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series of notebooks are hot—literally. The electronics giant announced today with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that it is voluntarily recalling models in these four notebook lines due to potential burn hazards to the user.

According to the CPSC, irregularities in the wiring and/or a loose screw inside the screen hinge could cause a short-circuit and overheating.

Not every model in the four VAIO series is affected. VAIO owners should call Sony (888-526-6219) and check Sony's Web site for more information. Consumers should also check our latest post on the Consumer Reports Safety Blog and at the CPSC Web site for more details about the Sony notebook recall.