CPSC, Dell Announce Recall of Batteries for Notebook-Computers
Home product recall 01-013. Announced by CPSC on Oct 13, 2000.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Oct 13, 2000. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
These batteries can short circuit, even when the battery is not in use, causing them to become very hot, release smoke and possibly catch fire.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should contact Dell immediately to determine if their notebook computer battery is part of this recall.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: To contact Dell, call toll-free at (877) 741-6420 anytime, or go to the firm’s website at http://support.dell.com/battery/. Consumers also can write to: Dell Computer Corp., One Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas 78682.
Which ones are recalled?
The recalled batteries were sold with the following Dell notebook computers: Latitude CPiA, CPiR, CPtC, CPtS, CPtV, CPxH and CPxJ, and Inspiron 3700 and 3800. The batteries also were sold separately, including in response to service calls. The batteries insert into the front-left and/or front-right of the computer. “DELLTM” and “MADE IN JAPAN” are written on the batteries. The batteries’ identification number is written on a white sticker. Consumers should have this number available when they contact Dell to determine if their battery is part of the recall.
About 27,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Batteries used with certain Dell notebook computers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Imported by Dell Computer Corp., Round Rock, Texas.
- Dell’s web site and catalogs sold computers with these batteries, customer kits containing the batteries, and individual batteries, from June 2000 through mid-September 2000. The computers with these batteries were sold for between $1,500 and $3,000, and individual batteries were sold for between $100 and $170.
- Made in Japan, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
Dell has received one report of a battery in a Dell computer short circuiting and catching fire. The incident resulted in minor property damage. No injuries were reported.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.