ThinkPad Fire Hazard Sparks Battery Recall

Lenovo Inc. on Thursday recalled about 100,000 batteries used in ThinkPad computers after receiving four reports of the batteries overheating, according to a statement from the company.

In one case, the problem caused a minor eye irritation for a consumer, the company said.

The Chinese PC maker, which has its world headquarters in Research Triangle Park, said consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately. The batteries can overheat and pose a fire hazard if struck forcefully on the corner, Lenovo said.

It's the second battery recall for Lenovo in less than six months. In September, IBM Corp. and Lenovo Group, the world's third-largest computer maker, said they were seeking the recall of 526,000 rechargeable, lithium-ion Sony batteries purchased with ThinkPad computers after one of them caught fire at Los Angeles International Airport.

The latest recall involves batteries made by Sanyo. The advisory was made with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

"Sanyo is going to financially support the recall," said Lenovo spokesman Ray Gorman.

Lenovo said it sold the extended-life batteries with new ThinkPad notebook PCs or as optional or replacement batteries for ThinkPad notebook models R60, R60e, T60, T60p, Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, and Z61p. The recalled nine-cell batteries have part number FRU P/N 92P1131.

The batteries sell for about $180.

Lenovo bought IBM's personal computer division in 2005. About 1,500 of Lenovo's 20,000 employees work in Research Triangle Park. A $150 million campus built in Morrisville is expected to open this month.