Lenovo Recalls 208,000 Laptop Batteries

No. 3 computer maker Lenovo Inc. has recalled 208,000 laptop computer batteries that could overheat in the U.S. company’s second recall in six months.

The latest recall involves 9-cell batteries with the part number FRU P/N 92P1131 used in certain Lenovo ThinkPad notebook computers shipped worldwide between November 2007 and last month, the company said.

The specific models are the ThinkPad R60 and R60e series, ThinkPad T60 and T60p series and ThinkPad Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, and Z61p series, Lenovo said.

Lenovo bought IBM Corp.’s personal computer division in May 2005.

The batteries were made by Japan’s Sanyo Electric Co., the company said.

The PC maker said consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately because the batteries can overheat if the laptop is dropped a certain way, striking the battery on a corner edge.

Lenovo will replace the battery free of charge.

The earlier recall was part of a global recall of more than 10 million Sony-built batteries used in notebooks from Apple Inc., Dell Inc., Lenovo and other companies.

Customers may order replacement batteries at www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram.