Apple Battery Recall Program

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium-ion batteries that were sold from January 2004 through August 2004 with 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) notebook computers. The recalled batteries were also sold separately and included those ordered as replacement batteries.

The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple has received four reports of these batteries overheating. Though no injuries have been reported, Apple urges you to stop using your battery and to order a replacement battery immediately. If you continue to use your battery, do not leave it unattended and check for signs of overheating.

Apple has initiated an exchange program and will provide eligible customers with a new replacement battery, free of charge.

No other PowerBook or iBook batteries are part of this recall.

Identifying your battery

The recalled batteries have these identifiers:

• Model Number: A1045


• serial numbers that begin with: HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407, or HQ408.

Batteries with the affected serial numbers contain cells that were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea during the last week of December 2003 only.

The model and serial numbers are located on the label on the bottom of the battery, and can be viewed by removing the battery from the computer. If your battery serial number does not match the requirements listed above, you do not have to exchange your battery.

Please note that only the described batteries are part of the recall and not the PowerBook G4s themselves, and that almost all of these PowerBooks shipped with batteries that are not part of the recall.

For more information and pointers to instructions on how to inspect your battery, see Apple's 15-inch PowerBook G4 Battery Exchange Program page.

--Mark Aseltine, Executive Director, ISC Technology Support Services (August 20, 2004)