Duracell batteries

36 reports to CPSC, the latest made Jul 22, 2026. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.

At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Nov 5, 2026.

36reports to CPSC
Jul 22, 2026the latest report was made
May 5, 2011the earliest
33with the company’s comments

Brand: Duracell
Makers: Duracell, Inc and The Procter & Gamble CompanyMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product: BatteriesCPSC’s product type: Batteries (code 884), in Electronics: Batteries & Chargers

Other ways the reports write the brand (3)

“Duracell 2032 Coin batteries”, “Duracell AA Batteries” and “Duracelle”

By month

5 reports from August 2025 to July 2026; the most in October 2025, 2. 31 earlier reports, since May 2011, are in the table.

The numbers, as a table

Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
Month	Reports
July 2026	1
June 2026	1
April 2026	1
October 2025	2
April 2025	1
December 2022	1
November 2022	1
July 2022	1
April 2022	1
November 2021	2
August 2021	1
June 2021	1
January 2021	2
August 2020	1
December 2019	1
July 2016	1
April 2016	1
February 2016	1
October 2015	1
August 2015	1
March 2014	1
November 2013	1
October 2013	1
January 2013	1
July 2012	1
May 2012	1
April 2012	1
November 2011	3
September 2011	2
May 2011	1

How badly anyone was hurt

Seen by a doctor or nurse 1 CPSC: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
First aid 6 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
Hurt, no treatment 5 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
No one hurt 21 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
Not said 3 CPSC: Unspecified

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

Seen by a doctor or nurse
Made Jul 22, 2026, sent to the company Jul 24, 2026, published by CPSC Aug 7, 2026

The product, in the report: Stardard hearing aid batter package as required by Reeses Law

Injury during attempt to open hearing aid button battery package. Injured my wrist and thumb due to excessive force required to cut into packaging. Required professional medical attention (Dr [REDACTED]).

Model
321CR
UPC
9560212838
Serial number
Unknown
Where
Raleigh, North Carolina: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 81, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, Seen by Medical Professional

CPSC report 20260722-FF68C-2147313547. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
First aid
Made Jun 10, 2026, sent to the company Jun 15, 2026, published by CPSC Jul 1, 2026

The product, in the report: Druacell AA 8 new pack guaranteed 12 years. Was bought maybe four or five months ago.

My remote batteries needed to be changed in my remote control. We use Duracell AA. I had the remote in my hand and it was getting hot and hotter and hotter. I took the back of the remote off. You could smell it burning in one of the batteries was starting to melt with black all over it. Burnt my right palm. The next day, I reported it to Duracell they did not apologize. They were rude and sent me a $10 coupon. If I was not holding the clicker, it wouldve sent my couch or me on fire. When I called Duracell, they also said I probably put the batteries in wrong. Im 56 years old and know how to replace batteries.

UPC
4133305160
Serial number
5103850320
Bought from
Walmart, Massachusetts
Bought
Apr 1, 2026
Where
East Taunton, Massachusetts: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 56, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(6/17/2026) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell AA cell battery rupturing. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this instance. That said, our testing has shown that certain events may lead to this type of issue occurring, such as external shorting of the battery. Over-discharge can also cause batteries to pop, hiss, & bulge. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in bulging, leakage, overheating, or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20260610-BD944-2147317248. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Apr 4, 2026, sent to the company Apr 9, 2026, published by CPSC Apr 30, 2026

The product, in the report: Duracell alkaline batteries AA and AAA sizes purchased in bulk and used for normal household devices including clocks and LED flashlights

Multiple Duracell alkaline batteries leaked during normal use and storage and damaged several household devices, including clocks and LED flashlights. The batteries were used in a normal manner and were not mixed with other brands or battery types. The leakage caused corrosion and permanent damage to the devices. Total property damage is about 300 dollars. This happened with multiple batteries, so it may indicate a product quality or safety problem rather than isolated misuse. The devices were kept indoors under normal household conditions and were not exposed to extreme heat, moisture, or improper handling.
For the injury or damage box, you can use:
No personal injury. Multiple household devices were damaged by leaking batteries and became unusable.
For product use:
Normal household use in clocks and flashlights
For incident date, if they allow approximate wording:
Multiple incidents during 2025 and 2026
If you want it even shorter for a character-limited box, use this:
Multiple Duracell batteries leaked during normal household use and damaged clocks and LED flashlights. Batteries were used properly and kept indoors under normal conditions. Leakage caused corrosion and permanent property damage of about 300 dollars. No personal injury.
Purchase Location: Costco

UPC
don’t know
Serial number
don’t know
Bought from
Costco
Bought
Dec 31, 2017, about then
Where
Irvine, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unknown
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(4/20/2026) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell alkaline battery leaking/venting. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. It may help to know that Duracell batteries are designed with a vent mechanism to relieve pressure in certain situations, to prevent the battery from bursting or overheating. Once an event activates the vent, leakage will most likely occur. Some of the conditions that may result in leakage include:
- Device being inadvertently left in the “on” position for prolonged periods of time. - Device continuing to drain batteries in the “off” position, or while not being used. It is recommended that batteries be removed from the device when not expected to be in use, as the batteries can continue to discharge while in the device, even when the device is in the “off” position. - Device not shutting down automatically when battery voltage is low. - Used or old batteries are mixed with new batteries. - Different brands or types of batteries were mixed.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns

CPSC report 20260404-93615-2147320972. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Hurt, no treatment
Made Oct 30, 2025, sent to the company Nov 10, 2025, published by CPSC Nov 26, 2025

The product, in the report: AA Battery

Duracell battery in a mouse started hissing while on my desk. I thought the noise was coming from the mouse and opened the battery hatch to find it leaking acid. It got on my fingers and burned me until I was able to neutralize it with milk.

Model
MN1500
Serial number
0H12G5X
Where
Simpsonville, South Carolina: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 46, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/21/2025) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell Optimum AA cell battery leaking/venting. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. It may help to know that Duracell batteries are designed with a vent mechanism to relieve pressure in certain situations, to prevent the battery from bursting or overheating. Once an event activates the vent, leakage will most likely occur. Some of the conditions that may result in leakage include:
- Device being inadvertently left in the “on” position for prolonged periods of time. - Device continuing to drain batteries in the “off” position, or while not being used. It is recommended that batteries be removed from the device when not expected to be in use, as the batteries can continue to discharge while in the device, even when the device is in the “off” position. - Device not shutting down automatically when battery voltage is low. - Used or old batteries are mixed with new batteries. - Different brands or types of batteries were mixed.
Although most batteries contain chemicals that won’t harm exposed skin, the substance should still be treated as any chemical would. Always take precautions when handling exposed battery chemicals. Battery chemicals shouldn’t be placed near the eyes or ingested. Contact a physician immediately if this should occur.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns

CPSC report 20251030-79A81-2147326691. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Oct 9, 2025, sent to the company Nov 19, 2025, published by CPSC Dec 11, 2025

The product, in the report: Duracell Battery

Consumer would like to file a complaint that he has been buying the Duracell batteries in bulk and that he started having issues with different products in his home but more recently his remotes. The batteries are corroding. They are new batteries that still work in is device but is leaking.

Model
N/A he does not have
Where
Unspecified: Unspecified
Who was involved
Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/21/2025) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell battery leaking/venting. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. It may help to know that Duracell batteries are designed with a vent mechanism to relieve pressure in certain situations, to prevent the battery from bursting or overheating. Once an event activates the vent, leakage will most likely occur. Some of the conditions that may result in leakage include:
- Device being inadvertently left in the “on” position for prolonged periods of time. - Device continuing to drain batteries in the “off” position, or while not being used. It is recommended that batteries be removed from the device when not expected to be in use, as the batteries can continue to discharge while in the device, even when the device is in the “off” position. - Device not shutting down automatically when battery voltage is low. - Used or old batteries are mixed with new batteries. - Different brands or types of batteries were mixed.
Although most batteries contain chemicals that won’t harm exposed skin, the substance should still be treated as any chemical would. Always take precautions when handling exposed battery chemicals. Battery chemicals shouldn’t be placed near the eyes or ingested. Contact a physician immediately if this should occur.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns

CPSC report 20251009-AF130-5644251. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Apr 25, 2025, sent to the company May 14, 2025, published by CPSC May 29, 2025

The product, in the report: Its a Duracell aaa battery

I was using Duracell batterys on a coin piggy bank that has a display that would count how many coin are in the jar I noticed it died recently so I checked the battery hatch and saw a lot of potassium hydroxide (white stuff) come out from the battery Im sure thats harmful to humans

Serial number
97334128
Bought from
Publix
Where
Miami, Florida: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(5/28/2025) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell Optimum AAA cell battery leaking/venting. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. It may help to know that Duracell batteries are designed with a vent mechanism to relieve pressure in certain situations, to prevent the battery from bursting or overheating. Once an event activates the vent, leakage will most likely occur. Some of the conditions that may result in leakage include:
- Device being inadvertently left in the “on” position for prolonged periods of time. - Device continuing to drain batteries in the “off” position, or while not being used. It is recommended that batteries be removed from the device when not expected to be in use, as the batteries can continue to discharge while in the device, even when the device is in the “off” position. - Device not shutting down automatically when battery voltage is low. - Used or old batteries are mixed with new batteries. - Different brands or types of batteries were mixed.
Although most batteries contain chemicals that won’t harm exposed skin, the substance should still be treated as any chemical would. Always take precautions when handling exposed battery chemicals. Battery chemicals shouldn’t be placed near the eyes or ingested. Contact a physician immediately if this should occur.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns

CPSC report 20250425-894F4-2147331705. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
First aid
Made Dec 18, 2022, sent to the company Dec 22, 2022, published by CPSC Jan 9, 2023

The product, in the report: Duracell Optimum AAA Batteries

Duracell Optimum AAA sized batteries. I’ve had two of them blow up on me. I was attempting to use them in a brand new Duracell headlamp. And all the batteries were all brand new, and purchased from Rite Aid. I was wearing the headlamp at the time of the explosion(s). after the first one blew up in my headlamp, I immediately attempted to notify the Duracell company as to what happened. Because battery acid leaked onto my face and clothes. I received no replies back from them. It broke my brand new Duracell headlamp. And considering it was so close to my eyes, it could of blinded me. I received no feedback from them. No apology or nothing. No offers to refund my money or replace my headlamp. Well, I looked at it as maybe being just an isolated incident. So, I let it go and almost forgot about it. Until it happened again last night. Same exact situation brand new Duracell headlamp Brand new Duracell platinum batteries. But it happened again last night. Exploded inside of my headlamp. Twice now. I feel like they should reimburse me for the headlamps and the batteries. I could’ve been blinded. *NOTE- I don’t mind of my information to share with Duracell company. [REDACTED] Thank You

Model
Optimun
Bought from
Rite Aid
Bought
May 5, 2022
Where
McKinleyville, California: Other
Who was involved
Age 50, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(1/6/2023) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell Optimum AAA cell battery rupturing. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this instance. We will reach out to you to understand what has occurred and to arrange for this analysis. That said, our testing has shown that certain events may lead to rupturing, such as external shorting of the battery. Over-discharge can also cause batteries to pop, hiss, & bulge. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in bulging, leakage, overheating or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns

CPSC report 20221218-FE4FA-2147351976. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
First aid
Made Nov 11, 2022, sent to the company Nov 16, 2022, published by CPSC Dec 1, 2022

The product, in the report: Duracell AA Batteries 21058YD Made in China Expires 2023/ Costco #1625149 Duracell 9V Batteries 1319 A 835 Made in Malaysia Expires March 2026/Costco #662821

I experienced 2 cuts, bleeding, and three weeks later 2 scars to the top of my left hand while opening the “Razor Sharp” plastic packaging of Duracell AA and 9V Batteries purchased at Costco. The corners of the plastic packaging are like a knife and are unsafe for consumers. I contacted Duracell on Friday morning 11/11/22 and filed a report with [REDACTED] and I let her know that I wanted to make sure that no one else is injured by this plastic packaging and I requested a call back to let me know what their Company will be doing with their plastic packaging to make sure that no one else is injured. Shortly thereafter, I received a call back on my telephone answering machine from [REDACTED] who said that he is the manager of Customer Service in North America. On the answering tape [REDACTED] stated, ...”I did just want to pass on that our Quality Team will not be in direct contact regarding the concern you did bring to our attention, what they do is they take all feedback that we do receive from our line and they do integrate that into further improvement as they continue to develop our product. So if you did have any further questions you’re always welcome to give us a call back at our customer service number.” So, it would appear, right now that I am being told by the Duracell Company Customer Service Manager for North America that they do integrate feedback into further improvement as they continue to develop their product, however I have no assurances of when or if anything will be done to that end and no promise that they will call me back to let me know when or if appropriate improvements will be made to assure Consumer Safety only that their Quality Team will not be in direct contact with me.

Model
Duracell Batteries 21058YD & 1319 A835
Bought from
Costco 21398 Price Cascades Plaza Sterling, VA 201
Bought
Nov 3, 2022
Where
Ashburn, Virginia: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 69, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/30/2022) Duracell, Inc: Thank you for informing us of this report involving Duracell product packaging. We are sorry to hear of this consumer’s experience when opening the package. We understand their concern and want to assure you that the safe use of our products and packaging is our top priority.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our packaging, so we appreciate the time this consumer took to contact us directly. Duracell remains committed to delivering safe, high-quality products and packaging to our consumers. Duracell takes customer feedback into consideration for product and packaging improvements as warranted. Furthermore, Duracell refers to and follows industry practices in designing its products and packaging. As always, we encourage consumers with questions or comments to contact us so we might be of assistance to them, including helping them to safely open our packaging. Thank you.

CPSC report 20221111-52AF4-2147352762. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Jul 27, 2022, sent to the company Aug 1, 2022, published by CPSC Aug 15, 2022

The product, in the report: Duracell Battery

I was wearing a head lamp with a Duracell buttery in it when one of the AAA batteries exploded. It cracked the hard plastic of the headlamp. The battery was leaking battery acid and bubbling.

Model
AAA battery
Where
Anchorage, Alaska: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 25, Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
Reports CPSC links to it
20220729-192B7-3829373
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(8/12/2022) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell AAA cell battery rupturing. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this instance. We will reach out to you to understand what has occurred and to arrange for this analysis. That said, our testing has shown that certain events may lead to rupturing, such as external shorting of the battery. Over-discharge can also cause batteries to pop, hiss, & bulge. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in bulging, leakage, overheating or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20220727-2EC8C-2147354752. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
First aid
Made Apr 22, 2022, sent to the company Apr 27, 2022, published by CPSC May 11, 2022

The product, in the report: 1004256 1.5v LR03 made in china not for retail trade date of manufacture 01-2021 AAA size product search shows may be same as optimum or plus product line after research this seems to be a huge problem with hundreds off complaints on 1 site, immediate investigation should be started or recalled it appears optimum plus and oem are all same with different packaging remote was [REDACTED] acid burns to hand fingers and clothes

duracell oem aaa size battery blew up, remote was on my chest and went off like a firework, leaked acid and blew back of remote battery cover off , acid was all over. manufacture date 01-2021 warranty date 01-2028 blew up on 04/21/22, less than 5 months after purchase product info 10004256 1.5v LR03 made in china not for retail trade this came with new tv remote [REDACTED], no recall on file, there should absolutely be one duracell oem, supposed to same as duracell plus or optimum. immediate investigation should be started or recalled it appears optimum plus and oem are all same with different packaging remote was [REDACTED] acid burns to hand fingers and clothes as well battery fumed or smoked

Model
1004256 1.5v LR03
Serial number
unknown
Bought from
walmart
Bought
Nov 26, 2021
Where
rapid city, South Dakota: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 44, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(5/6/2022) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell AAA cell battery rupturing. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this instance. We will reach out to you to understand what has occurred and to arrange for this analysis. That said, our testing has shown that certain events may lead to rupturing, such as external shorting of the battery. Over-discharge can also cause batteries to pop, hiss, & bulge. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in bulging, leakage, overheating or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20220422-55FAC-2147356623. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Hurt, no treatment
Made Nov 20, 2021, sent to the company Dec 3, 2021, published by CPSC Dec 17, 2021

The product, in the report: Duracell AAA battery. Identification code on package: 9328850015-61

Duracell AAA battery overheated immediately after removing it from its sealed package. It burned my hand and I dropped it. It reached a temperature of 140 degrees within two minutes of taking the battery out of the package.

Model
UPC Code: 4133366012 7
UPC
4133366012 7
Serial number
Identification code on package: 9328850015-61
Bought from
Costco, Massachusetts
Where
Becket, Massachusetts: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 71, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(12/13/2021) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell AAA cell battery overheating. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature. Without examining the batteries, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this instance. That said, our testing has shown that certain events may lead to overheating , such as dropping the battery on a hard surface or subjecting it to severe vibration.
Evaluating the batteries is the best way to understand the problem you reported. We request that the batteries be sent to our R&D facility at 14 Research Dr., Bethel, CT 06801 for evaluation and further response. It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20211120-455B2-2147358696. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Hurt, no treatment
Made Nov 17, 2021, sent to the company Nov 19, 2021, published by CPSC Dec 6, 2021

The product, in the report: Duracell 2032 Coin batteries

Packaging for coin cell batteries. Although I fully realize the reasoning for difficult packaging so children will not ingest, there are millions of seniors with arthritis and physical disabilities that struggle with access to these batteries. Recently purchased Duracell coin cell batteries and it took me over 20minutes to get them open. I also received a plastic cut while trying to navigate the scissors. Even pharmacies offer alternative options to getting into drug bottles. I find myself now in a predicament to purchase batteries of lesser quality to remedy this. Seniors need these batteries for any number of reasons. Please consider amending your practices to include everyone. Another voice of reason. I’ve already sent my concerns to Duracell and got the runaround. I will add my concerns to [REDACTED] although I don’t imagine that will make any difference either.

Model
Duracell 2032 Coin batteries
Bought from
Home Depot
Bought
Nov 5, 2021
Where
New Britain, United States: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 72, Unknown
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell 2032 Coin batteries, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(12/3/2021) Duracell, Inc: Thank you for informing us of this report involving Duracell product packaging. We are sorry to hear of this consumer’s experience when using our product. We understand their concern and want to assure you that the safe use of our products and packaging is our top priority. As such, Duracell lithium coin batteries are packaged in accordance with ANSI C18 Battery Safety Standard guidelines which include child secure packaging. This child secure packaging intended to minimize the accidental ingestion by children of lithium coin cells also makes it very difficult to open with or without scissors for seniors and others with physical limitations. Hopefully, this issue can be addressed by the ANSI Battery Standards Committee in cooperation with the CPSC.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we appreciate the time this consumer took to contact us directly. Duracell remains committed to delivering safe, high-quality products for our consumers. As always, we encourage consumers with questions or comments to contact us so we might be of assistance to them or help them with how to safely open our packaging.

CPSC report 20211117-56919-2147358731. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Aug 23, 2021, sent to the company Sep 13, 2021, published by CPSC Sep 27, 2021

The product, in the report: AA- Alkaline batteries

A rep. from the manufacturer was in the retailer’s store, giving away a coupon for the batteries. The consumer took the coupon to the register and basically got the batteries for free.
8/21/2021: The consumer placed 4 (AA) batteries in “heavy duty” plastic case flashlight and the light became extremely hot to the touch.
The flashlight’s casing got hot and when he removed the batteries, they were too hot for him to hold them. The consumer acted quickly, so there was no damage to the flashlight or his home.
The consumer has owned/used the flashlight for approximately 1 year and has used the manufacturer’s brand of batteries in the past, but not the “optimum” ones.
8/21/2021: The consumer sent the manufacturer and email describing the problem and is waiting for a replay.
The batteries did not appear to be included in any CPSC recall.

Bought from
Walmart, Missouri
Bought
Feb 1, 2021
Where
Versailles, Missouri: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracelle, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(9/24/2021) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell AA battery overheating in the device you were using. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Evaluating the batteries and the device is the best way to understand the problem you reported. Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this instance. That said, experience indicates that the device is typically the culprit. If the device isn’t functioning as it should, the batteries can short out, leak, overheat and/or rupture. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in leakage, overheating or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20210823-45A19-3421192. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Jun 21, 2021, sent to the company Jun 30, 2021, published by CPSC Jul 15, 2021

The product, in the report: Duracell AA alkaline batteries

A string of ornamental lights were on for an hour about three weeks ago. A size AA Duracell battery exploded without warning, producing a loud but brief “bang.” The explosion blew off the top of the battery and white bubbling substance came out of the tear. There was a smell, but it wasn’t very offensive. I have included pictures of the exploded battery and the battery holder. The exploded battery was in the middle slot.

Model
AA alkaline
Serial number
9203ARA
Where
Bemidji, Minnesota: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unknown
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(7/1/2021) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell AA battery overheating in the device you were using. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Evaluating the batteries and the device is the best way to understand the problem you reported. Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this particular instance. That said, experience indicates that the device is typically the culprit. If the device isn’t functioning as it should, the batteries can short out, leak, overheat and/or rupture. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in leakage, overheating or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
NA Consumer Relations

CPSC report 20210621-77E49-2147363376. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Jan 24, 2021, sent to the company Mar 2, 2021, published by CPSC Mar 16, 2021

The product, in the report: Duracell AA batteries

Duracell AA batteries disintegrated in their packaging. Looks like acid leaked out of 1 or more batteries and destroyed the battery coverings. They were stored in original packaging and no contact existed between the battery contacts.

Model
package label not present
Bought from
Costco
Bought
Nov 1, 2020, about then
Where
Lewis Center, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

CPSC report 20210124-A812D-2147366314. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Hurt, no treatment
Made Jan 19, 2021, sent to the company Jan 27, 2021, published by CPSC Feb 10, 2021

The product, in the report: Battery

My daughter was using an [REDACTED] Night Light kit, which includes 2 battery-operated plastic lights (2 AAA batteries each). The lights each have an on/off switch and a remote that controls the color of the light. One of the lights worked briefly, but did not respond correctly to the remote. It then stopped working, and was hot to the touch. One battery was too hot to touch, so I removed it with a plastic tool. The casing of the battery had started to melt off. The other battery did not overheat. The batteries were new Duracell brand with an expiration of March 2030.

Where
Parker, Colorado: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 10, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
My Child
As this report names them
made or sold by Duracell, Inc
Reports CPSC links to it
20201226-55184-2147367224
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

CPSC report 20210119-83B54-2980089. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Not said
Made Aug 18, 2020, sent to the company Oct 26, 2020, published by CPSC Oct 6, 2020

The product, in the report: Duracell AA

The consumer indicates that his remote control was on top of an empty table for approximately one to two hours. The consumer was sitting twenty feet away when he heard a loud explosion. Looking around, the consumer noticed that the two batteries inside his remote control exploded, blowing it into many pieces. There was no apparent fire.
The consumer states that the batteries were placed inside the remote control approximately two months ago.
The consumer plans on keeping the batteries for at least the next thirty days in case an investigation ensues.

Where
Brooklyn, Maryland: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Unspecified

The company’s comments, in its own words

(10/8/2020) Duracell, Inc: Thank you for informing us of this report about Duracell AA batteries.
We are sorry to hear your report of Duracell batteries overheating and rapidly expanding. Our products are extensively evaluated for safety and performance, so a report of this nature is rare. Still, we certainly understand why this would be alarming to you and regret any concerns you have experienced.
It’s difficult to know with certainty what caused your batteries to behave this way without evaluating the device and batteries. In other instances, like what you have reported, our testing has shown the device itself is commonly the culprit. If the device is not functioning properly, the batteries can overheat or malfunction. Incorrect placement of the batteries within a device can also cause them to overheat. Please make sure to carefully follow the insertion instructions and make certain that the + (plus) and – (minus) terminals are aligned correctly.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so thank you for bringing this incident to our attention. If you have any questions, you can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 800-551-2355.
Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20200818-1BEF0-2007175. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Dec 10, 2019, sent to the company Jan 28, 2020, published by CPSC Feb 18, 2020

The product, in the report: AA-batteries (bulk pack of 40 batteries)

12/6/2019: The consumer’s wife was wrapping a present, when there was a loud pop like a 22 gun went off. The out negative end of the battery clear fluid blew out the end as it popped. The wife wrapped the batteries in a napkin.
12/5/2019: Four of the batteries from that same pack were in a candle. The wife checked the candle and she opened the battery compartment and found that one of the batteries just oozed out the end in the exact same fashion as above.
There were no injuries.
The consumer contacted the mfr. and reported the matter to their rep. The rep. took a report and said that the retailer may have frozen them or didn’t handle them properly..
The consumer also called the retailer and reported the matter to them.
Lot # 1006587, Battery expiration date: 2028 (made in the U.S.A) Duracell AA

Model
AA
Bought from
Costco, Minnesota
Bought
Oct 1, 2019
Where
Pine River, Minnesota: Unspecified
Who was involved
Female
The reporter’s relation to them
My Spouse
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(2/5/2020) Duracell, Inc: Thank you for informing us of this report involving Duracell AA batteries.
We’re sorry to hear of this consumer’s experience with the Duracell batteries that were installed in their candle and present. We understand their concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All Duracell batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. It’s difficult to know with certainty what caused your batteries to overheat without evaluating the device and battery. In other instances, similar to what you have reported, our testing has shown the device itself is commonly the culprit. If the device isn’t functioning properly, the batteries can overheat or malfunction. Incorrect placement of the batteries within a device can also cause them to overheat. Please make sure to carefully follow the insertion instructions and make certain that the + (plus) and – (minus) terminals are aligned correctly. Duracell batteries are designed in accordance to international safety standards with a vent mechanism that activates under certain conditions, such as overdischarge, short circuit, and charging, among others, to relieve pressure buildup within the battery and thereby to prevent rupture. Once the vent activates, the pressure is released and leakage may occur.
Some events that can lead to an overdischarge condition include the following: - Device being inadvertently left in the “on” position for prolonged periods of time. - Device continuing to drain batteries in the “off” position, or while not being used. - Device not shutting down automatically when the battery voltage is low. Duracell remains committed to delivering safe, high quality products for our consumers. As always, we encourage consumers with questions or comments to contact us so we might be of assistance to them.

CPSC report 20191210-240E5-1927476. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Not said
Made Jul 31, 2016, sent to the company Aug 8, 2016, published by CPSC Aug 29, 2016

The product, in the report: Explosion Heard a very loud bang and discovered the Duracell D cell had exploded. It was sitting, not being used. Battery contents was all over the floor, some on the ceiling. The force of this action could have resulted in serious injury and should the battery have been heated, may have resulted in a fire. Another battery of this type that had been installed in the same product is showing signs of the label peeling off, possibly getting ready to explode because of the expanded casing.

Explosion
Heard a very loud bang and discovered the Duracell D cell had exploded. It was sitting, not being used. Battery contents was all over the floor, some on the ceiling. The force of this action could have resulted in serious injury and should the battery have been heated, may have resulted in a fire.
Another battery of this type that had been installed in the same product is showing signs of the label peeling off, possibly getting ready to explode because of the expanded casing.

Bought from
Costco, Washington
Where
Kent, Washington: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Unspecified

The company’s comments, in its own words

(8/24/2016) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell D cell battery rupturing after you removed it from the device you were using. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this particular instance. That said, our testing has shown that certain events may lead to rupturing, such as external shorting of the battery. Over-discharge can also cause batteries to rupture or leak. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in leakage, overheating or rupture.
Evaluating the batteries and the device is the best way to understand the problem you reported and appreciate your willingness to return the battery for analysis. It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
(8/26/2016) Duracell, Inc: We have received and analyzed the batteries from the consumer and the batteries in question appear to be approximately 3 years beyond their “best if used by” date (Mar 2013) and this may have some impact on what may have occurred. In addition both batteries showed signs of overheating, possibly due to short circuiting which indicates the device may have been defective or damaged during use.
Evaluating the battery is our best way to understand the problem you reported and we appreciate you returning the batteries to us for analysis.
Please know we regret you had this experience. We encourage you to get back in touch if you have additional questions. We value your loyalty to Duracell products and welcome the opportunity to address and additional concerns you may have.

CPSC report 20160731-1B5F8-2147416447. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Hurt, no treatment
Made Apr 6, 2016, sent to the company Apr 14, 2016, published by CPSC May 5, 2016

The product, in the report: Package of 6 Duracell AA Batteries, package marked “AA 6 Duracell Coppertop, Guaranteed 10 Years, Duralock Power Preserve”

I have a [REDACTED] Wireless Mouse which uses 1 AA battery to operate. I purchased a package of 6 Duracell Alkaline AA batteries less than a month ago and installed one in my computer mouse. In less than a week, the mouse stopped working. I replaced the battery with a second one from the same package, which advertises that the batteries are guaranteed for 10 years. Expiration date on this package is December, 2025. Again, within a week, the mouse stopped working. I opened the battery compartment and literally burned my fingers when I touched the battery to remove it. I got it out with a plastic screwdriver, and noticed that the case of the mouse was already warped from the heat. I placed the battery on a table because it was so hot, and it took it over 30 minutes to cool to a temperature when I could touch it. This is very frightening to me as we use duracell batteries in many, many devices in our house!

Bought from
Walgreen Drugs
Bought
Mar 30, 2016, about then
Where
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 66, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell AA Batteries, made or sold by Duracell, Inc
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(4/27/2016) Duracell, Inc: Thank you for informing us of this report about Duracell AA batteries.
We’re sorry to hear your report of Duracell batteries overheating in your mouse. Our products are extensively evaluated for safety and performance, so a report of this nature is rare. Still, we certainly understand why this would be alarming to you and regret any concerns you have experienced.
It’s difficult to know with certainty what caused your batteries to overheat without evaluating the device and battery. In other instances similar to what you have reported, our testing has shown the device itself is commonly the culprit. If the device isn’t functioning properly, the batteries can overheat or malfunction. Incorrect placement of the batteries within a device can also cause them to overheat. Please make sure to carefully follow the insertion instructions and make certain that the + (plus) and – (minus) terminals are aligned correctly.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we hope you’ll contact us directly. We would be interested in speaking with you to learn more about this incident. You can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 800-551-2355.
Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
(8/1/2016) Duracell, Inc: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell Quantum AA battery overheating in the device you were using. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, Duracell receives few reports of this nature.
Evaluating the batteries and the device is the best way to understand the problem you reported. Without examining both the batteries and the device, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem in this particular instance. That said, experience indicates that the device is typically the culprit. If the device isn’t functioning as it should, the batteries can short out, leak, overheat and/or rupture. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting the batteries backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in leakage, overheating or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we thank you for reporting your concerns. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20160406-CFA92-2147420395. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
First aid
Made Feb 1, 2016, sent to the company Feb 9, 2016, published by CPSC Mar 2, 2016

The product, in the report: Duracell Batteries

Product is an [REDACTED]. It has an enclosed battery pack, powered by 3 AA batteries, powering a small LED light on the desk.
Child had the device on her lap when it started to heat up and burn her leg. I opened the unit to find the battery compartment melted. The 3 batteries were all new Duracell batteries and only had surface damage from the heat, ruling out a failure on the batteries.
Found the import tag inside. Contacted that company, and they deny the item was imported by their company. The say it is 100% fraud.
The item was sold by Kohl’s, a national department store. Likely in mass quantities in the Fall of 2015.

Model
AA
Where
Oceanside, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 12, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
My Child
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(2/23/2016) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of Duracell batteries overheating in your daughter’s portable laptop desk. We understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All Duracell batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. Without seeing the batteries or device involved in this incident, we are unable to determine what may have caused your batteries to overheat, but our testing has shown some of the common causes include installing a battery backwards (the wrong way) in a device requiring three or more batteries. The battery that is installed backwards may be charged by the other batteries in the circuit. As a result, the battery may overheat. Storing or carrying loose batteries rather than keeping them in the pack can result in batteries overheating, leaking or rupturing. Batteries stored in this way can be shorted by contact with metal objects (such as coins, keys, or paper clips). Also, a device malfunction, or defect in the device, could result in external shorting of the batteries causing them to overheat, leak or rupture.
Evaluating the batteries that were installed in the desk’s battery compartment is the best way to understand the problem you reported and we appreciate your willingness to return the device and batteries for analysis. Please know we regret you had this experience. We look forward to receiving the batteries for evaluation and encourage you to get back in touch if you have additional questions. We value your loyalty to Duracell products and welcome the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20160201-DAA67-1552183. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Oct 25, 2015, sent to the company Nov 5, 2015, published by CPSC Nov 20, 2015

The product, in the report: Duracell Ultra M3 9 volt battery. Printed on battery: Alkaline MN1604 6LR61 MAR 2011 MADE IN EC 0906 6I22B

As my wife, newborn baby, and I were in the living room of our home, we heard a “crack” sound from the kitchen. When I went into the kitchen to investigate, I didn’t see anything that had fallen on the floor or anything that seemed like it would have caused this sound. Then we heard a loud “bang” sound, in similar sound and loudness as firecracker or .22 caliber rifle. When I looked around, I saw that a Duracell Ultra M3 9 volt battery that I had removed a few days ago from a smoke detector (due to the smoke detector beeping as an alert that the battery voltage was reduced beyond usable condition) had exploded. The battery was sitting on our wooden kitchen table, not touching anything, and when I touched it, it was not hot or even warm. One of the inner “cells” was a few inches from the battery, and another one was visibly ruptured, still within the metal casing of the battery. This was a very scary incident as we didn’t know if more “cells” would erupt, and it was frightening to us as we have a newborn child, and this could have been very dangerous if the baby was nearby when this occurred.

Model
Ultra M3 9 volt battery
Serial number
0906 6I22B
Bought from
Came with Smoke Detector, South Carolina
Where
Greer, South Carolina: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 0, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
My Child
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/19/2015) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell 9 volt battery rupturing after you removed it from your smoke detector. We understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All Duracell batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety.
With limited information, it’s difficult to determine what may have caused the problem with this particular battery. Our testing has shown that certain events may lead to rupturing, such as external shorting of the battery. Over-discharge can also cause batteries to rupture or leak. The battery in question appears to be approximately 4 years beyond its best if used by date (Mar 2011) and this may have some impact on what may have occurred.
Evaluating the battery is our best way to understand the problem you reported and we appreciate your willingness to return the battery and device to us for analysis.
Please know we regret you had this experience. We look forward to receiving the batteries for evaluation and encourage you to get back in touch if you have additional questions. We value your loyalty to Duracell products and welcome the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20151025-D2F10-2147427251. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
First aid
Made Aug 24, 2015, sent to the company Aug 31, 2015, published by CPSC Sep 22, 2015

The product, in the report: Batteries, Duracell

My two year old was playing with the battery powered train to the [REDACTED]. I heard a loud pop and he started crying and ran to me holding his eye. I looked at his eye and it was red on the inside lid and there was a little spot where it was blood shot on the white of his eye. I took the train out of his hand and pushed power and it still worked. I opened it up to take the batteries out and saw that one of the three batteries had exploded and there was battery acid all over the inside of the compartment. I cleaned his eye and surrounding area well and it doesn’t seem like it’s a serious burn but it’s pretty raw still. I reported to [REDACTED] and they said they don’t have any injury reports with this train. I had two different brands of battery in the train. Two fusion and one Duracell. The Duracell is the one that exploded. The [REDACTED] guy told me they recommend not mixing brands. I told him that if mixing battery brands would cause them to explode there should Be huge warnings on every toy.

Where
Panama City Beach, Florida: Unspecified
Who was involved
Age 2, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
My Child
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(9/14/2015) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear of the experience you reported with the Duracell battery installed in your son’s toy train. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls.
Without the opportunity to evaluate the battery or device involved in this incident, it is difficult to exactly know what could have caused the problem. However, it may be helpful to know batteries can leak if mixed with different battery types (as may have occurred in this case), if old and new batteries are mixed or if one or more batteries are inserted backwards.
In the event a battery leaks or is covered with a white powdery substance, limit your handling of the battery to that required for proper removal and disposal. We recommend you immediately wash any exposed body surfaces and clothing with soap and water. If contact with the eyes occurs, immediately flush the eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes and then seek immediate medical assistance.
Please know we regret you had this experience. If you have any questions regarding this matter, we encourage you to contact our consumer care line at 1-(800) 551-2355. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20150824-41EFD-1512259. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Mar 5, 2014, sent to the company Mar 18, 2014, published by CPSC Apr 1, 2014

The product, in the report: Duracell Batteries

I got my son the [REDACTED] I had just put brand new Duracell batteries in it and with in a week they were going dead so I opened it up and the batteries were leaking acid and it felt warm RECALL!!!!

Where
fort pierce, Florida: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 0, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
My Child
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(4/3/2014) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear of the experience you reported while using Duracell batteries and want to assure you the safe use of our product is our top priority. All Duracell batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. We certainly understand why this would be concerning.
With limited information, it’s difficult to determine why the batteries leaked and felt warm within a week of installation in your son’s toy. Our testing has shown that if the device isn’t functioning properly, the batteries can overheat or malfunction. Incorrect insertion can cause batteries to overheat or leak, so it’s important to insert batteries into the device with the (+) and (-) terminals aligned correctly.
It may be helpful to know Duracell alkaline batteries feature a vent mechanism that’s designed to relieve a buildup of pressure. Once the vent is activated, leakage will most likely occur. There are various conditions that may cause batteries to leak or vent, including a device malfunction. Also, the device battery contacts or compartment design can sometimes damage the batteries causing them to vent, leak or rupture.
Again, we regret you had this experience and appreciate the additional details you provided by phone to help us gain a better understanding. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. We value your loyalty and welcome the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20140310-7E4FF-1391016. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Nov 18, 2013, sent to the company Nov 26, 2013, published by CPSC Dec 18, 2013

The product, in the report: I wish to report a serious and potentially dangerous situation. I have been using both [REDACTED] and other high intensity LED flashlights with a belt sheath and I prefer to use Duracell batteries because they don’t corrode as with other batteries. On 15 November 2013 my 2 cell AA flashlight exploded shooting the lens and reflector out shattering the lens. Luckily no one was injured just shocked by the loud bang and flying debree. I believe the problem is that LEDs require far less voltage to operate than traditional light bulbs and this discharges batteries beyond the threshold of a “bad battery” placing them into a unstable condition where now gasses are produced compared to older light bulbs that get to dim identifying time to replace batteries. Most flashlights are sealed to prevent moisture from entering and under these conditions the gasses have nowhere to go and Bang it explodes. I feel that LED flashlight need a sensor installed to prevent discharging batteries beyond there safety limits and a pressure relief valve installed to prevent dangerous gasses from building up inside the case. Or have Battery manufactures ensure that discharging batteries do not produce gasses! The exploding of my flashlight had serious potential to injure someone, and since many of these sealed flashlights state suitable in hazardous environments a detonation like the one I had can cause an explosion of the hazardous material as we

I wish to report a serious and potentially dangerous situation. I have been using both [REDACTED] and other high intensity LED flashlights with a belt sheath and I prefer to use Duracell batteries because they don’t corrode as with other batteries. On 15 November 2013 my 2 cell AA flashlight exploded shooting the lens and reflector out shattering the lens. Luckily no one was injured just shocked by the loud bang and flying debree. I believe the problem is that LEDs require far less voltage to operate than traditional light bulbs and this discharges batteries beyond the threshold of tipical “bad battery” placing them into a unstable condition where now gasses are produced compared to older light bulbs that get to dim identifying time to replace batteries. Most flashlights are sealed to prevent moisture from entering and under these conditions the gasses have nowhere to go and Bang it explodes. I feel that LED flashlight need a sensor installed to prevent discharging batteries beyond there safety limits and a pressure relief valve installed to prevent dangerous gasses from building up inside the case. Or have Battery manufactures ensure that discharging batteries do not produce gasses! The exploding of my flashlight had serious potential to injure someone, and since many of these sealed flashlights state suitable in hazardous environments a detonation like the one I had can cause an explosion of the hazardous material as well

Model
Duracell durblock
Bought from
WALMART, New Mexico
Bought
Jun 9, 2013, about then
Where
Rio Rancho, New Mexico: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unknown
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(12/11/2013) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear of your recent experience with our batteries in your high intensity LED flashlight. Your belief that design issues within some LED lights contributes to this problem has come to the attention of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) battery committee. Within the ANSI battery safety standard is the following: “ A.4.5 Design equipment circuitry such that equipment will not operate below 0.7V per battery. To continue discharging below this level causes unfavorable chemical reactions within the battery, increasing the chance of leakage.” Unfortunately as you have stated some LED flashlights in the marketplace have very low cut-off voltages and over-discharge batteries. We understand why this would be upsetting and are working with our industry partners and others to better educate device designers about this issue.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we appreciate the time you took to contact us directly about this incident. We also appreciate your willingness to return the batteries and flashlight to help us gain a better understanding. Such reports will help us convince device designers and device manufacturers to make changes making devices safer for consumers.
Again, we regret you had this experience. We value your loyalty, look forward to receiving these items and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20131119-E14E0-1369444. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Not said
Made Oct 18, 2013, sent to the company Oct 28, 2013, published by CPSC Nov 12, 2013

The product, in the report: Brand Duracell AA Batteries with 2015 expiration bought three months ago with a usage of less than one day a week until the incident

I had installed in my miner’s lamp 3 Brand Duracell AA batteries for more than three months but 3 days ago I was leaving my room when I heard a detonation scared check might have been to find my lamp was almost destroyed and deformed because one of the batteries had exploited the negative expanding outwards their internal chemicals which solidified as a grayish blue stone battery was hot and the pole sulfate stuck above the body of the other remove the batteries to prevent them to return to detonate even I have saved the 3 batteries if needed in the lamp was located in a small desk in my room with an approximate temperature at 27 ° Celsius

Model
MN1500
UPC
UNKNOWN
Serial number
6CO72107
Bought from
unknown
Where
Distrito Federal, Mexico: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Unspecified

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/18/2013) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of batteries discharging in your miner’s lamp. We understand your concern and deeply regret you had this experience. It’s important to know that Duracell batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and we have strict quality checks in place, so we wouldn’t expect them to leak or discharge. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries made every year, we receive relatively few reports of malfunctioning batteries. With limited information it’s difficult to know what happened with your battery; however, based on the photos you provided we think the product is likely counterfeit. While this particular battery may not be genuine Duracell product, it may be helpful to know there are certain situations that may cause genuine batteries to rupture or leak. Some of the more common causes include exposure to moisture; mixing old and new batteries; batteries becoming shorted out by other batteries or metals; and prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. Incorrect insertion can cause rupture or leakage, so it’s important to insert batteries into the device with the (+) and (-) terminals aligned correctly. We’re concerned by your report and interested in learning more. We’ve followed up separately by email with a request for additional information. If you still have the batteries involved in this incident, please hold onto them in the event we need to retrieve them. Again, we are sorry to hear of your experience. If you have additional questions, please let us know. You can reach us by calling the toll free number on the product package or by sending a message to Duracell.com.mx. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20131008-BBC70-2147451101. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Jan 28, 2013, sent to the company Feb 5, 2013, published by CPSC Feb 20, 2013

The product, in the report: Duracell Alkaline AA Batteries

This is one of several incidents I have experienced involving leaking Duracell batteries in the past year.
The device is a [REDACTED] LED headlight for bicycles, which is powered by 4 AA batteries. The batteries in the device were dated to expire on March 2012. The device has been used as a general purpose flashlight for inside the house rather than as a bicycle headlight.
The flashlight has been in regular use and today my wife informed me that it had stopped working yesterday. Because I have seen many devices damaged by Duracell batteries recently, I immediately opened the flashlight to assess the damage.
The inside of the battery compartment is contaminated by a white material that has leaked from the batteries and has begun to corrode the battery contacts in the flashlight. This material irritates the skin and I am concerned it may contain toxic chemicals.
The leaked material has pooled on the surfaces of batteries, contacts, and the inside of the flashlight. This flashlight was working less than a day ago, so the leakage was not caused by the flashlight sitting unused for weeks or months. The batteries possibly started leaking before the light stopped working, because the leaked material has a dry crystalline quality to it, although the flow of the residue suggests that the material was fluid at the time it first leaked.
I was born in 1950’s and leaky batteries were common in the 50’s and 60’s. Since improvements to batteries in the 70’s and common use of Alkaline cells, battery leakage has become very rare. But now many Duracell batteries are leaking and are leaking much sooner in their lifespan.
I have opened four devices in my home this month with similar damage. One of these devices was a valuable guitar with active electronic circuitry inside.
I think Duracell batteries may be unsafe and may put consumers at risk for burns and toxic effects. Please follow up with me to discuss what can be done about this problem. If you go on the Duracell website you will see that many consumers have the same problems.

Model
AA MN1500 LR6
UPC
none
Serial number
none
Bought from
Not sure, Oregon
Bought
Jan 1, 2009
Where
Eugene, Oregon: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 60, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(2/20/2013) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of Duracell batteries leaking in your bicycle headlight and guitar. We understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All of our batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety.
It may be helpful to know, the date on the battery is considered a “best if used by” date rather than an expiration date. We recommend you promptly remove batteries from equipment when the batteries are worn out and performance has noticeably decreased. Once a battery is placed into a device, how long it lasts depends upon the device in which it is used and how much energy that device drains from the battery. You can get the best life from your batteries if you turn off battery operated devices when they are not in use and remove batteries from devices that won’t be used for an extended period or are placed into storage.
There are various circumstances that may cause batteries to leak including the use of batteries that are worn out or past their freshness date. Other common causes include exposing the batteries to extreme temperatures (hot or cold) or a damp/humid environment for a prolonged period; mixing old and new batteries; storing or carrying loose batteries rather than keeping them in the pack; and/or becoming shorted out by other batteries or metals. Incorrect insertion can cause leakage, so it’s important to insert batteries into the device with the (+) and (-) terminals aligned correctly. Also, the device battery contacts or compartment design can sometimes damage the batteries causing them to vent, leak or rupture.
Since the 1990’s, we and other reputable manufacturers of alkaline batteries have stopped adding any toxic heavy metals to the batteries. However, alkaline batteries still contain active materials which can be irritating and should still be treated with caution. In the event a battery vents, leaks or is covered with a white powdery substance, limit your handling of the battery to that required for proper removal and disposal. We recommend you immediately wash any exposed body surfaces and clothing with soap and water. If contact with the eyes occurs, immediately flush the eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes and then seek immediate medical assistance.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we hope you’ll contact us directly. We would be interested in speaking with you to gain a better understanding and to offer assistance. You can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535. If you still have the batteries involved in these incidents, please hold onto them in case we need additional information about them.
Again, we regret your experience with our batteries. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20130127-01B32-2147459422. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Jul 2, 2012, sent to the company Jul 13, 2012, published by CPSC Aug 3, 2012

The product, in the report: 9V alkaline battery

Duracell 9V battery exploded inside smoke detector. Initially the smoke detector alarm began to sound and turned off after 10 sec. Since there was no smoke or anything causing the alarm we were going to check it and we heard a sizzling sound coming from the smoke detector. then there was a loud pop and the smoke detector broke open. Inside the battery had popped open and 2 of the rods were coming out of one end of the battery case. I worry that this may cause injury due to the heat generated by the battery, the force of the battery popping open or the detector being disabled by the faulty battery.

Model
9V alkaline battery
Where
Bakersfield, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 36, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(7/26/2012) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell 9 Volt battery rupturing in smoke detector. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All of our batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, we’ve received relatively few reports of this nature.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we greatly appreciate the time you took to contact us directly to bring this matter to our attention. We hoped you might be able to return the battery for analysis using the mailing materials we sent after you got in touch and understand from the information you later provided the product is no longer available to retrieve. Unfortunately, without being able to examine the battery, it’s difficult to determine what may have happened while it was installed in the smoke alarm.
Again, we are truly sorry you had this experience. If there’s anything more we can do to help, please call our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20120702-D22F1-2147466093. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made May 27, 2012, sent to the company Jun 4, 2012, published by CPSC Jun 18, 2012

The product, in the report: DURACELL 9 volt consumer battery

Duracell 9 volt consumer battery exploded while inserted inside an [REDACTED] NAILBUFFER SHAPER. The shaper was not being used but had worked fine the prior day. It was on a wooden file cabinet when it made a pop type sound. The battery cover popped off and was shot about one foot away.
The battery had a small hole in its base at the edge of the metal and fiber base contact point. The battery was dead but the buffer worked after a new battery was installed.

Model
MN1604 6lr61
Serial number
003271046
Where
Vienna, Virginia: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
Reports CPSC links to it
20120530-B4BA0-1250630
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(6/12/2012) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell 9 Volt battery rupturing in your nail buffer. We understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All of our batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, we’ve received relatively few reports of this nature.
Without seeing the product, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem with this particular battery, but there are certain situations that may cause batteries to rupture or leak. Some of the more common causes include exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, where and how batteries are stored, and/or becoming shorted out by other metal objects.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we hope you’ll contact us directly. We would be interested in speaking with you to learn more about this incident. You can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535.
Again, we’re truly sorry this happened. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope the information we’ve provided is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20120527-A230F-2147467225. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Apr 26, 2012, sent to the company May 4, 2012, published by CPSC May 25, 2012

The product, in the report: Duracell AA Battery

Using a [REDACTED] while reading a book when I heard popping and sizzling sound coming from back of my neck. Instantly removed [REDACTED] and went to a workshop area to remove battery cover. Discovered that the Duracell AA battery had overheated and blown the negative cap off the end of the battery.

Where
Omaha, Nebraska: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
Reports CPSC links to it
20120426-32200-2147468097
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(5/15/2012) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of a Duracell AA battery overheating in the device you we using. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, we’ve received relatively few reports of this nature. . Evaluating the battery is our best way to understand the problem you reported. Without seeing the product, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem with this particular battery, but our testing has shown the device itself is typically the culprit. If the device isn’t functioning as it should, the batteries can short out and leak, overheat or rupture. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting them backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in leakage, overheating or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we hope you’ll contact us directly. We would be interested in speaking with you to learn more about this incident. You can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535.
Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20120427-04C28-1245934. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Nov 7, 2011, sent to the company Dec 9, 2011, published by CPSC Dec 23, 2011

The product, in the report: AA batteries

In January of 2011 there was one single double A battery located in the rear of a clock and the clock was located on a shelf above the sink in the bathroom. He heard a explosion. He noticed that parts of the clock of the clock was on the floor, the backing that holds the battery in and the battery on the floor.
The firm was contacted in January of 2011 (exact date is unknown) and he was sent out a check for $20.00 to replace the clock and a couple of coupons for more batteries on February 8,2011.
When he spoke with the representative from the firm he asked if they wanted the battery and he was advised that he should discard of the battery.
On October of 24,2011 the calculator was not in use when it exploded the back of the calculator blew away and into pieces. The entire of the bottom of the battery blew out. He spoke with the firm and they offered to send out a check to replace the calculator and a coupon to replace the batteries.
He is not aware how long either battery was used prior to the incident occurring. The batteries did not come in the same packaging together.
No further information was provided.

Model
AA batteries
Where
Stanten Island, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(12/21/2011) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear of your report of Duracell AA batteries rupturing in your clock and calculator. We understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All of our batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, we’ve received relatively few reports of this nature.
There are many things that can cause batteries to rupture or leak. Some of the more common causes include exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, where and how batteries are stored, and/or becoming shorted out by other batteries or metals. Incorrect insertion can cause rupture or leakage, so it’s important to insert batteries into the device with the (+) and (-) terminals aligned correctly. Using a power cord or an adaptor with batteries in the device can charge the batteries and cause them to leak or rupture. Also, our testing has shown the device itself is often the culprit; if the device isn’t functioning as it should, the batteries can short out and leak, overheat or rupture.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we appreciate the time you took to contact us directly about this matter. We also appreciate your willingness to return the batteries and devices to help us gain a better understanding of the problem you reported. If you haven’t already done so, we hope you’ll use the mailing material we provided to send these items to us. Once we receive the batteries, we’ll be able to perform an analysis to determine what could have caused the problem with these particular batteries.
Again, we regret you had this experience. If there’s anything more we can do to help, please call our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535. We value your loyalty, look forward to receiving your items for further evaluation and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
(3/12/2012) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for sending us the batteries involved in the incidents you reported to the CPSC. We appreciate the opportunity to investigate this matter and want to share the results of our evaluation of the product you returned. After thoroughly examining the product you sent us, we found the batteries were not manufactured by Duracell and are, in fact, counterfeit.
Unfortunately, counterfeiting has become a widespread problem facing major consumer products companies. Duracell continues to invest heavily in a worldwide effort to stop the importation of these counterfeit batteries. We proactively work directly with government agencies, trade associations, and other businesses to strengthen domestic and global anti-counterfeiting initiatives. We also work very closely with reputable retailers to ensure only genuine P&G products can be purchased by our consumers. However, despite all our efforts counterfeit batteries continue to find a way into the marketplace. For this reason, caution should be used when deals on branded goods appear to be too good to be true.
Please be assured P&G is committed to the reduction and eventual elimination of counterfeit products. For more than 170 years, consumers have come to trust our products and we do not want counterfeiters to violate that trust. We hope this information is reassuring and that you’ll continue to use Duracell batteries with confidence. If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535.

CPSC report 20111107-9206B-1213662. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Nov 7, 2011, sent to the company Nov 16, 2011, published by CPSC Dec 1, 2011

The product, in the report: ‘D’ Size Alkaline Battery

Installed 6 new Duracell ‘D’ size alkaline batteries in [REDACTED] wall clock. The new batteries have an expiration date of Mar 2017. About 12 hours later I notice the clock had stopped functioning. Upon further inspection, I notice that a liquid was dripping from the wall clock onto the floor. I removed the clock from the wall. As I was removing the clock from the wall, the cover from the battery compartment fell onto the floor. A liquid had dripped from the batteries into the battery compartment. When I removed the batteries from the clock I noticed that the ends from two batteries had flowered open as if the battery itself was overpressured and experienced an explosion. Lucky the batteries were in a wall clock and not in a child’s toy when the incident occurred.

Model
‘D’ Size Alkaline
Bought from
Best Buy
Bought
Oct 8, 2011
Where
Sugar Land, Texas: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
Reports CPSC links to it
20111110-B5E02-1214126
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/21/2011) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear Duracell D cell alkaline batteries ruptured in your wall clock. We understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All of our batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, we’ve received relatively few reports of this nature.
There are many things that can cause batteries to leak or rupture. Some of the more common causes include exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, where and how batteries are stored, and/or becoming shorted out by other batteries or metals. Incorrect insertion can cause rupture or leakage, so it’s important to insert batteries into the device with the (+) and (-) terminals aligned correctly. Also, using a power cord or an adaptor with batteries in the device can charge the batteries and cause them to leak or rupture.
If you haven’t already done so, we hope you’ll send us the batteries and any photos you may have taken. If the clock is currently inoperable, we’d like to see it, too. If you’re unable to ship the clock, photos would be appreciated. Evaluating the batteries is our best way to gain a better understanding of the incident you reported. Without seeing them, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem with these particular batteries. Once we receive the batteries, we will be able to perform an analysis and provide you with our findings.
Again, we regret you had this experience. If there’s anything more we can do to help, please call our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535. We value your loyalty, look forward to receiving your items for further evaluation and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20111107-BB823-2147473551. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Nov 4, 2011, sent to the company Nov 17, 2011, published by CPSC Dec 9, 2011

The product, in the report: Duracell Batteries

I have a [REDACTED] Truck: Wheel Loader with the older version of the drill. The markings on the scoop say 5554 A1, and the markings on the inside cover of the battery compartment of the drill say 5556 D. There is also a date stamp/embossment on the bottom of the vehicle: 23March08. I just found the drill on my kitchen floor running, and the handle was hot to the touch. When I tried to turn it off, I couldn’t. It continued to run, and when I opened the battery compartment, the two new Duracell batteries I inserted yesterday were hot (not warm) to the touch, and the plastic casing was melting off. The inside of the battery compartment was also starting to malform. I’m glad that I caught it, since this is obviously a fire hazard. Yesterday, when I put the new batteries in, the drill worked fine and toggled off.

Where
Lockport, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 43, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/30/2011) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re sorry to hear your report of Duracell batteries overheating in your drill. Our products are extensively evaluated for safety and performance, so a report of this nature is rare. Still, we certainly understand why this would be alarming to you and regret any concern.
It’s difficult to know with certainty what caused your batteries to overheat, but our testing has shown the device itself is commonly the culprit. If the appliance isn’t functioning properly, the batteries can overheat or malfunction. Incorrect placement of the batteries within a device can also cause them to overheat. Please make sure to carefully follow the insertion instructions and that the + (plus) and – (minus) terminals are aligned correctly. Also, using a power cord or an adaptor with batteries in the device can charge the batteries and cause them to overheat or leak.
It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we hope you’ll contact us directly. We would be interested in speaking with you to learn more about this incident. You can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535.
Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20111109-852D5-1214078. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Sep 17, 2011, sent to the company Sep 26, 2011, published by CPSC Oct 12, 2011

The product, in the report: Duracell Procell Battery Size AAA 1.5V Use Before Mar 2014

Batteries leaked acid out into a night light after only two months of use

Model
Procell Battery Size AAA 1.5V
Serial number
88212G1
Bought from
Costco?, Nebraska
Where
Omaha, Nebraska: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 34, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(10/3/2011) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re very sorry Duracell Procell batteries leaked in your night light. We understand your concern and want to assure you the safe use of our products is our top priority. All of our batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. With limited information, it’s difficult to determine why your batteries leaked after two months of use. There are many things that can cause batteries to leak. Some of the more common causes include exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, where and how batteries are stored, and/or becoming shorted out by other batteries or metals. Incorrect insertion can cause leakage, so it’s important to insert batteries into the device with the (+) and (-) terminals aligned correctly. Also, using a power cord or an adaptor with batteries in the device can charge the batteries and cause them to leak or rupture. It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we hope you’ll contact us directly. We would be interested in speaking with you to learn more about this incident. You can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535. Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20110917-2E91C-2147475223. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Sep 13, 2011, sent to the company Sep 21, 2011, published by CPSC Oct 5, 2011

The product, in the report: Silver Oxide small batteries for watches and small electronics

Duracell silver oxide battery 303/357 exploded. I put two of them into an electronic tire pressure gauge. When it didn’t work, I took them out and replaced them the other way. It still didn’t work. I suspected the gauge was bad anyway. I left the battery’s in for a few days. Tonight, I took them out and put them in the original package, then taped the package closed with two inch clear packing tape. I set the package of batteries on my garage counter, and after about 5 minutes, I heard a loud POP and then a tinkle across my garage. I looked over at the battery package and had seen that one of the batteries had exploded and threw shrapnel across the garage. What was curious was that this occurred after the batteries had been in the device for days, and that then in the package for a number of minutes after removal. Pictures are enclosed.

Model
303/357
Bought from
CVS
Bought
Sep 8, 2011, about then
Where
Ellettsville, Indiana: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 50, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(9/27/2011) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re very sorry a Duracell battery ruptured after you removed it from your electronic tire pressure gauge. We certainly understand your concern and want to assure you our batteries are extensively evaluated for safety and manufactured under strict quality controls. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, we’ve received relatively few reports of this nature. . Evaluating the battery and the tire pressure gauge is our best way to understand the problem you reported. Without seeing these items, it’s difficult to know what could have caused the problem with this particular battery, but our testing has shown the device itself is typically the culprit. If the device isn’t functioning as it should, the batteries can short out and leak, overheat or rupture. Another possible cause is incorrect placement of the batteries within the device. Inserting them backwards can cause the batteries to form a negative discharge, again resulting in leakage, overheating or rupture. It’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we hope you’ll contact us directly. We would be interested in speaking with you to learn more about this incident. You can reach us by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535.
Again, we regret you had this experience. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope this information is helpful. We value your loyalty and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

CPSC report 20110913-E965B-2147475343. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made May 5, 2011, published by CPSC Jun 7, 2011

The product, in the report: 9V2 9 volt Battery

The consumer says about two weeks ago he heard this loud noise. He checked the detector and he saw that the bottom of the battery blew out. He called the electrician the next morning. The electrician told him the battery is the problem and that he had never seen anything like that in his 30 years. The consumer says there was another loud noise a couple of weeks later. He found a cylinder on the floor 25 to 30 feet away. The electrician showed him how that cylinder came out of the battery. The defective battery was sitting on the kitchen counter. The electrician checked the wiring in his entire house and determined there was nothing wrong. Electrician was with [REDACTED]. This is a very serious and dangerous problem. The cylinder that exploded out of the defective battery and travelled some 25-30 feet would certainly injure someone. After first incident, consumer was in the process of reporting this incident to Duracell. Luckily they did not request to have the battery returned. It may have very likely exploded in the mail.
As of the date this report was submitted, consumer had no response from Duracell- only a coupon for the next purchase.

Bought from
Walmart, Florida
Bought
Apr 15, 2011, about then
Where
The Villages, Florida: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Duracell, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(6/6/2011) The Procter & Gamble Company: We’re very sorry your Duracell 9 Volt battery ruptured in your carbon monoxide detector. We certainly understand why this would be upsetting and want to assure you our batteries go through strict quality checks and are extensively evaluated for safety. In fact, out of the hundreds of millions of batteries manufactured every year, we’ve received relatively few reports of this nature. Still, it’s important for us to be aware of any negative experiences with our products, so we greatly appreciate the time you took to bring this matter to our attention and the information that you have shared with us. Please be assured your report has been shared with the appropriate people in our company.
Based on the information provided to us about your carbon monoxide detector and the battery (Alkaline, best by date of March 2009), we believe the problem you experienced is related to a design issue in the BRK model #CO5120B, whereby this model of carbon monoxide detector may malfunction when used with certain types of 9-volt batteries, including Duracell 9-volt batteries. This detector is wired to the household electrical system for its primary source of power and uses a 9-volt battery for back-up during power outages. It appears that due to the design of the detector’s battery cavity or related issue that the unit malfunctioned and allowed household electricity to inadvertently “charge” the back up battery inside. Alkaline batteries are not designed to be “charged” and in some cases the battery will leak and/or rupture. Based on your description of the date stamped on the battery (March 2009), the age of the battery may have also had an influence on this incident. Batteries should be removed from a device when old (beyond their best by date) or worn out as chances of leakage and/or rupture increase if used and exposed to misuse or abusive situations such as charging.
You mentioned that the detector unit had been in your home for at least nine years. We wish to draw your attention to the fact that many manufacturers typically recommend that these detectors be replaced after 10 years (typical service life). You may wish to consider replacing this unit at your first available opportunity.
Again, we’re truly sorry this happened. We want consumers to use our products with confidence and hope the information we’ve provided is helpful. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please call our Consumer Care line at 1-866-607-5535.

CPSC report 20110505-757EC-1181469. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

Released Nov 5, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

Duracell batteries

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