PARK RIDGE, NJ -- Sony announced a replacement program and product
recall for a number of Sony
InfoLithium battery packs distributed in the U.S.
and around the world. The
battery packs included in the recall have the
model numbers NP-F750 and
NP-F550.
Three of these battery packs,
which were among approximately 415,000
packs manufactured in Japan
during a four-month period between March
and June 1999, either
overheated and/or smoked while being recharged.
The defect resulted from a malfunctioning welding machine that
caused a crack in the seal cap on the battery cells within
the enclosed battery pack. An estimated 160,000 battery packs
manufactured during this time have been distributed to U.S.
customers nationwide.
Sony discovered two battery packs affected in this manner in Japan
and one in Germany after responding to customer
concerns. There have been no reports of personal injuries, nor have
any battery packs been found in the U.S. with this
problem.
Although there have been no injuries reported due to this
manufacturing defect, contact with the overheated or smoking
area of affected battery packs may cause finger burns and should be
avoided. Since overheating only occurs when
batteries are being recharged, the charger should be unplugged if
overheating or smoking is detected. The unit itself
should be left untouched until it cools down.
Sony InfoLithium battery packs are sold in the U.S. primarily as
accessories for use in various Sony Handycam camcorders,
Digital Mavica and professional still cameras, Glasstron audio/video
eyewear, portable DVD players, still image printers,
Video Walkman personal video players, Video Light camcorder
accessories, and MD Discam camcorders. As accessory
products, the NP-F550 InfoLithium battery packs sell for about $60
and the NP-F750 battery packs sell for about $100.
The battery pack models have also been sold in lesser quantities as
part of packages combined with Sony's UPX-2000
video printer, the UPX-2000 printer accessory kit, the DSC-D700
Cyber-shot Pro digital still camera, and the ACC-KITF550
camcorder accessory kit.
Consumers who purchased either the NP-F750 or the NP-F550 models of
InfoLithium battery packs since March 1999 are
urged to call a special 24-hour a day, seven-day a week toll-free
number 1-800-710-9026, or visit a dedicated web site that
Sony Electronics has established for customers in the U.S. at
www.sony.com/batteryrecall. Callers and web site visitors will
be assisted in determining whether or not their battery packs should
be returned and how to obtain free replacements.
Model numbers appear in white on the back of the black battery
packs. However, other information is more difficult to obtain
without telephone assistance or visiting the web site. Replacement
battery packs will be expedited through UPS Next Day Air
and U.S. Express Mail delivery at Sony's expense.
SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.
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