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Apple Recalls PowerBook, iBook Batteries [Updated]

Apple Recalls PowerBook, iBook Batteries [Updated]

by , 1:10 PM EDT, August 24th, 2006

Apple announced on Thursday that it is voluntarily recalling about 1.1 million batteries used in PowerBook and iBook laptops. The batteries in the recall should be exchanged immediately since they can potentially overheat pose a burning hazard.

Laptops in the recall include

Computer Battery Model Serial Number Range
12-inch iBook G4 A1061 ZZ338 through ZZ427
3K429 through 3K611
6C510 through 6C626
12-inch PowerBook G4 A1079 ZZ411 through ZZ427
3K428 through 3K611
15-inch PowerBook G4 A1078 and A1148 3K425 through 3K601
6N530 through 6N551
6N601

The batteries in question were produced by Sony for Apple - the same company that manufactured the laptop batteries that Dell is recalling. Sony stated that the affected batteries may have microscopic metal particles in the battery cells. If the particles come into contact with other parts of the cell, they can cause a short circuit. In most cases, the battery will simply shut off. In some situations, however, they may continue to operate and overheat or potentially burst into flames.

Apple has additional information about the battery recall on its Support Web site, and users can also call the recall hotline at 1-800-275-2273. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site is also listing the battery recall information.


Your model and serial numbers are on the bottom of the battery.

The battery model and serial numbers are located on the bottom of your laptop's battery, so you will have to remove the pack from your computer to see the numbers.

[This article has been updated with additional information about the recalled batteries.]

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:geoduck Posts: 1922 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Subject:

Either there's a problem with the link to the Apple Support Web Site or they don't have the page up yet.

Close Name:geoduck Posts: 1922 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Subject:

I think the page is
https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batteryexchange/index.html

Close Name:davebarnes Posts: 130 Joined: 12 Jan 2005
Subject:

geoduck,

thanks.
I just completed my replacment request.

,dave

Close Name:Jeff Gamet -   TMO Staff Posts: 102 Joined: 15 Mar 2006
Subject:

Quote

It looks like the URL Apple initially provided isn't working yet. Thanks for tracking down one that works.

Jeff

Close Name:stuartea Posts: 327 Joined: 08 Aug 2005
Subject:

Aww, mines not on the list. There was I thinking I'd get a new one.

Close Name:Edison Carter Posts: 228 Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Subject: Must be busy

The site must be busy, the page will not open, but you can get to other support pages.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Old News

This recall is several weeks old, and was announced well before the recent spate of Dell battery fires. I saw this story appear on CNN, looks like someone is trying to spew some FUD. The CNN reporter even asked their stock market reporter if Apple's stock went down, she said that despite this "bad news," it was UP. Sheesh.

Close Name:jimothy Posts: 612 Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Subject: re: Old news

The old news was MacBook (Pro) batteries being recalled. This one is new.

Close Name:BradC -   TMO Staff Posts: 81 Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Subject:

Jimothy is correct: This is a *new* story. The old one concerned MacBook Pro batteries.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Wrong Serial Numbers

According to this link (https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html?lang=en)the numbers you have are all wrong, Macworld.com has the wrong numbers too. My battery is included in your list but not theirs - the numbers begin 3X not 3K

Close Name:iGrouch Posts: 660 Joined: 18 Oct 2001
Subject:

Looks like the BBC have the story wrong in terms of the date ranges.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Not old news - New batteries were added.

While there was a previous battery exchange for iBook G4 and Powerbook G4, Apple today increased the date/serial number ranges. Originally, it was only for batteries manufactured between October 2004 and May 2005.

Close Name:Edison Carter Posts: 228 Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Subject: It took a while

It took a while to get through, but I finally got to the web page and checked my battery serial numbers. None of them are in the range.

Close Name:Benton Posts: 62 Joined: 07 Jan 2005
Subject:

After Dell recalled its batteries Sony publicly reported the affected batteries were specific to Dell's design and software were contributing factors.

Close Name:macinnerd Posts: 1748 Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
According to this link (https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html?lang=en)the numbers you have are all wrong, Macworld.com has the wrong numbers too. My battery is included in your list but not theirs - the numbers begin 3X not 3K


You know, if the serial numbsers reported in this article match the ones on Apple's site (the one linked to the main support page), then there is a possibility that they just may be correct.

BTW, my battery is on the recall list.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: battery recall

Be aware that even if you have the correct battery serial number (all 12 digits) the webpage may tell you your serial number is invalid. You'll have to call Apple support and have them enter the info for you. Insist they offer you a replacement battery. They may suggest that your not eligible if all 12 digits do not match. Only the first five digits are important in order to qualify!

Close Name:gslusher Posts: 2088 Joined: 13 Nov 2002
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Be aware that even if you have the correct battery serial number (all 12 digits) the webpage may tell you your serial number is invalid. You'll have to call Apple support and have them enter the info for you. Insist they offer you a replacement battery. They may suggest that your not eligible if all 12 digits do not match. Only the first five digits are important in order to qualify!


The web page failed for me, too, but the Apple rep was very nice. The serial number went right through. I did have to call 6 times--the system was so busy that, after "Please wait," it gave me a busy signal, then disconnected. Once I connected, I waited over 40 minutes to talk to someone. They REALLY need to fix the web page!

Fortunately, I have a NuPower battery that I can use in my 12-inch PB G4. It has a bit more capacity than the Apple battery and costs $14 less. I just hope that it doesn't get recalled, as well.

Close Name:yoyo52 Posts: 1174 Joined: 02 Feb 2002
Subject:

My serial # was rejected a couple of times, but after I'd left the computer for a couple of hours, when I tried again it went through fine.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

My battery's on the list, but it's always been great. Even after a year, it still gives me 4.5 hours of battery life. I'm worried that the new one they send me won't last as long. Any thoughts? Do you think they'd let me send back the new one if I don't like it?

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

I think the last set of serial numbers for iBook G4 should be 6C519 through 6C552 as can be seen from the apple website.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Correct Serial # Range?

Is the above serial # range list correct? This list, and the one on the USGov website match, but do NOT match the ranges provided at the actual Apple website.

Any ideas?

Close Name:John F. Braun -   TMO Staff Posts: 233 Joined: 11 Jun 2001
Subject: I'm Getting Two!

Although I've never had problems with either of my PowerBook G4 batteries (I always buy an extra) both are in the replacement range. The web site was responsive late last night.

For those that are interested in their battery capacity over time, be sure to check out the spiffy XBattery utility. It shows all sorts of battery info, including the maximum capacity, which will decrease over time.

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