Sony Recalls More Than 1,700 Battery Packs Installed In VAIO Series Laptops Due To Overheating Issue

Sony has reportedly issued a recall for lithium-ion battery packs installed in 18 models of the company's Vaio Series laptops due to overheating problem that may pose burn and fire hazards.

The affected Panasonic battery packs in question have model number VGP-BPS26 and part numbers 1-853-237-11 and 1-853-237-21. The laptops were sold at Best Buy, Sony retail stores and other electronic stores nationwide and online at www.store.sony.com from February 2013 until October 2013. In addition, the battery packs were also sold separately and installed in laptops as part of repairs.

Recalled model numbers for the Sony VAIO Series laptop computers are SVE15132CXW, SVE15134CXP, SVE15134CXS, SVE15134CXW, SVE15135CXW, SVE151390X, SVE1513APXS, SVE1513BCXS, SVE1513JCXW, SVE1513KCXS, SVE1513MCXB, SVE1513MCXW, SVE1513MPXS, SVE1513RCXB, SVE1513RCXS, SVE1513RCXW, SVE1513TCXW and SVE171390X.

There has been no reports of any incidents or injuries as a result of the defective batteries, according to a notice from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. It is estimated that around 1,700 battery packs units are affected in the United States and 21 in Canada.

Consumers can check the battery pack model and part numbers printed on the back of the battery pack. Affected consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled battery packs, power off the laptop, remove the battery and follow instructions to obtain a free replacement. Until a replacement battery pack is received, consumers can use the laptop by plugging in the AC power only.

To request for a replacement battery pack, consumers can call Sony Electronics on the toll-free number- 888-476-6988 from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday or contact online at www.sony.com.  

It is to be noted that the recall affects laptops made prior to Sony selling the Vaio brand to a Japanese equity firm Japan Industrial Partners in 2014. The electronics giant sold Vaio as it wanted to concentrate on smartphones and tablets due to the PC market's plunging fortunes.