HP Notebook Lithium-Ion Battery Recall Issued Over Fire, Burn Risks

More than 52,000 lithium ion batteries used in certain HP computers and mobile workstations have been recalled, following at least eight consumer reports of the batteries overheating and melting, resulting in property damage and at least one burn injury. 

The HP lithium-ion battery recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on January 4, due to the potential for the batteries to overheat, posing a fire and injury hazard to consumers.

The CPSC indicates that the eight consumer reports involved at least three cases of property damage totaling an estimated $4,500, with one report of a minor injury involving a first degree burn to the consumer’s hand.

The recall includes lithium ion batteries for HP Notebook computers and mobile workstations that were sold as accessories or shipped with HP ProBooks 64x G2 and G3 series, 65x G2 and G3 series, HPx360 310 G2 models, HP Envy m6 models, HP Pavilion x360 models, HP 11 models, HP ZBook 17 G3 series, 17 G4 series and Studio G3 series mobile workstations. The batteries were also sold as accessories or replacement batteries for the HP ZBook Studio G4 mobile workstations or for any of the previously listed products.

The recalled lithium ion batteries were manufactured in China under HP Inc., of Palo, California. They were sold at Best Buy and other authorized stores and dealers nationwide and online at Amazon.com, www.hp.com, and various other online electronics vendors from December 2015 through December 2017 for between $300 and $4,000 with computers. The batteries were sold for between $50 and $90 separately as replacements.

According to the CPSC, an estimated 50,000 units were distributed for sale throughout the United States and an additional 2,600 were sold by licensed retailers in Canada.

Customers are being asked to verify whether their lithium ion batteries are included in the recall by visiting www.HP.com/go/batteryprogram2018. Customers are also being asked to enable the “Battery Safety Mode” which can help prevent overheating events.

HP announced the batteries are not customer replaceable and is providing a free replacement battery to customers that will be installed by an authorized technician. For additional questions or concerns regarding the recall, customers may contact HP toll free at 888-202-4320 or visit them online at www.hp.com and navigate to the “Recalls” section.

Lithium ion battery explosions have caused problems among many different popular consumer products including laptops, electronic cigarettes, hover-boards, cell phones and many more. The explosions can occur because of short circuits, or when the materials inside the battery ignite due to a chemical process called thermal runaway. These events usually occur due to damage to the battery, recharging the battery too fast, using after-market chargers, improper disposal, high heat, or placing the device in a pocket with other metal items.