Logitech remote controls

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Feb 9, 2013 · , sent to the company Feb 21, 2013 · , published by CPSC Mar 8, 2013

   The product, in the report: Logitech Harmony 900 Universal Programmable remote with 3.7 volt lithium battery.

   My Logitech Harmony 900 has been problematic since day 1. It wouldn’t hold a good charge without being left on the charger every day. At times the remote will lock up like a computer. To overcome this the battery has to be taken out to restart the device. Initially the battery slid out with some effort but recently when attempting to unlock the remote the battery was almost impossible to budge. Upon getting it out of the remote it looked extremely swelled to the point of bursting. I went online to do some research and the 3.7 volt lithium battery in this remote is a known issue which Logitech takes no responsibility for unless the item is under warranty. This would be like saying we should continue flying the 787 with known battery problems and the company shouldn’t have any responsibility. Lithium batteries are known to explode when overheated and whether it is a faulty charger or the battery I don’t know but it seems when this many people are complaining about the same issue the company should correct the problem.

   Model

   Logitech Harmony 900

   UPC

   097855054531

   Serial number

   WD947XM

   Bought from

   Amazon

   Bought

   May 5, 2010

   Where

   Vancouver, Washington: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 58, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Logitech Harmony 900, made or sold by LOGITECH

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

2. No one hurt

   Made Oct 4, 2012 · , sent to the company Oct 15, 2012 · , published by CPSC Oct 29, 2012

   The product, in the report: Logitech Harmony 900 rechargeable universal remote control

   I have a Logitech Harmony Remote Model 900 with a lithium rechargeable battery. The battery swelled and got hot while in the provided charger. I contacted Logitech, who on their website blog, shows the batteries provided to be defective. The company told me they would not replace the product or the battery. I informed them that their product is dangerous and could cause a fire, injury, or death. Logitech representative told me their warranty is limited and they would not replace the dangerously defective battery. I informed them that on their website they make it clear that the battery issues is known and they should not sell dangerous products knowingly. They gave me an indecent number [REDACTED]

   Model

   Harmony 900

   UPC

   WD945XM

   Serial number

   815-000053

   Bought from

   Logitech Online

   Bought

   Oct 1, 2010, about then

   Where

   Sewickley, Pennsylvania: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 41, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Logitech, made or sold by LOGITECH

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

3. No one hurt

   Made Mar 18, 2012 · , sent to the company Mar 26, 2012 · , published by CPSC Apr 9, 2012

   The product, in the report: Logitech Harmony Universal remote

   I own a Logitech Harmony 890 universal remote. It appears that many of these devices have a defect Lithium Ion Battery and defective charging circuit that causes the battery to swell. I have had this experience twice. Given what I have learned about Lithium Ion batteries, I am concerned that this represents a fire hazard. The vast number of incidents with this remote are document in this public thread -- http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Share-Your-Thoughts/Swollen-Battery-for-Harmony-890-Remote/td-p/490214

   While Logitech support has replaced the battery, their own support agents acknowledge that the charging circuits have a defect that results in over charging and damage if the remote is left on the charger for more than 3 hours. Multiple attempts to explain to them that this is a fire hazard has results in no meaningful action beyond the battery replacement. While I appreciate the battery, my main concern is the fire risk many of us face. Below I’ve included a few key extracts from the long thread of interactions I’ve had with Logitech’s support team.

   I am submitting this report in the hope that this serious safety hazard can be addressed. Thank you for your help.

   [REDACTED]

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Here is a message where [REDACTED] indicates that leaving the remote in the charger more than 3 hours can damage the charging circuit: Dear [REDACTED],

   Thank you for contacting Logitech Customer Care here is your incident number [REDACTED] you can use for future reference.

   My name is [REDACTED]l and I will be your Technical Support Representative for this case. I understand that you are having difficulties with your Harmony 890 remote. I apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused you. and I will gladly assist you with your concern.

   [REDACTED], I am very sorry for the inconvenience that you have experienced with your Harmony 890 and for having 2 batteries that had the same problem. Normally those battery that has blue label are the only ones that has the possibility to swell and it doesn’t happen on the battery that has white label. Also if you are not using the remote don’t leave it on the charging cradle so we can avoid over charging that can damage the charging circuit of the remote. If you have further questions, please reply to this email and we will get back to you shortly. You can use the incident number above for your reference.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   Here is my last message I sent in the support thread, following by their response: [REDACTED], I have attempted in good faith to express my safety concerns. None of the responses have addressed the main issue: If the charging circuit can be damaged by simply leaving the device on the charging cradle, resulting in overcharged batteries, there is a serious safety issue as over charging LION batteries can result in fires. I know this because I have worked with this battery technology in other contexts. The extent of the problem is clearly documented in your forums, including the thread located at http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Share-Your-Thoughts/Swollen-Battery-for-Harmony-890-Remote/td-p/490214/page/6

   While I appreciate the battery replacement, I am left with the impression that Logitech’s solution to the fire safety hazard is to tell people to not leave the remote on the charger. This is not an acceptable safety solution. I am once again requesting that my case the escalated to someone who can discuss & address the core safety issue. If that does not happen shortly I will be left with not other choice than to report the issue to the Consumer Products Safety Commission https://www.saferproducts.gov/CPSRMSPublic/Incidents/ReportIncident.aspx

   I hope you understand that my goal is to help both Logitech and your consumers. If Logitech has a product in the market that represents such a fundamental safety risk, but does not act to resolve the safety issue, then they are putting both the lives of consumers and the future of the company at risk. .

   -------

   Thank you for contacting Logitech Customer Care here is your incident number [REDACTED] for future reference.

   My name is [REDACTED] and I will be your Technical Support Representative for this case. I understand that you are having difficulties with your Logitech Harmony 890 remote. I apologize for the inconvenience I will gladly assist you with your concern.

   [REDACTED], I am very sorry for the inconvenience If you have any comments that you would like to direct at our Product Specialists, please feel free to do so within our survey found at www.logitech.com/ithink. They are always looking for ways to improve upon our product and service. Any input you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

   Model

   Harmony 890

   Where

   Cupertino, Canada: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Logitech, made or sold by LOGITECH

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

4. No one hurt

   Made Dec 8, 2011 · , sent to the company Dec 16, 2011 · , published by CPSC Jan 10, 2012

   The product, in the report: Logitech Harmony One Advanced Remote Control

   Harmony One Advanced Remote Control battery has swollen to the point of splitting the case of the battery. This is the second time this has happened and when contacting the manufacturer the told me I would have to purchase a new battery and that the swelling was “normal”. This is also what their FAQ page states.

   Model

   Harmony One

   Bought from

   Best Buy

   Bought

   Dec 21, 2009, about then

   Where

   Metairie, Louisiana: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Logitech / Harmony, made or sold by LOGITECH

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources