CPSC, Kyocera Wireless Corp. Announce Recall of Batteries in Smartphone Cell Phones
CPSC recall 04068 · announced January 23, 2004 · Coslight International Group · 140,000 units affected
The product
The recalled batteries are included in Kyocera model 7135 Smartphone cell phones. The black and silver flip-up phones say "Kyocera" at the top of the screen. The recalled batteries have the red and white Kyocera name printed on the front and a product code ending with -05 printed on the underside
The hazard
The recalled batteries can short-circuit and erupt with force or emit excessive heat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
What to do (per CPSC)
Consumers with the recalled units should immediately stop using the battery in the cell phone. Kyocera Wireless will contact consumers to arrange for delivery of a free replacement battery. If consumers are not contacted by Kyocera by Feb. 6, they are asked to contact the firm to receive the free replacement battery. The batteries should be stored in an environment with non-flammable materials.
Notes
Incidents (per CPSC): Kyocera Wireless Corp. has received four reports of battery failures, including one minor burn injury.
Sold at: Verizon Wireless, US Cellular and ALLTEL Corporation stores, in addition to Web site and telemarketing retailers nationwide, sold the cell phones with the -05 battery, from September 2003 through December 2003, for about $500. The batteries also were sold separately during this time, for about $21.
Consumer contact: Call Kyocera Wireless Corp. at (800) 349-4478 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.kyocera-wireless.com
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.