Kindle Fire batteries

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Jul 2, 2014 · , sent to the company Jul 14, 2014 · , published by CPSC Jul 28, 2014

   The product, in the report: Kindle Fire battery

   I contacted Amazon today concerning a Kindle Fire I had purchased in 2012. I noticed about 3 weeks ago that there was “water” spot on the screen, but since it was not preventing me from using it, I did not have a problem with it. However today the battery started swelling & in turn it forced open the side seams of the device. I could still get on it but I was afraid that it would continue to swell & explode causing damage or bodily harm. I immediately “[REDACTED]” to find some information as to why this happened. (I take care of my devices..I also have a Kindle touch for reading purposes only) & I was amazed at the numerous complaints about this issue with the Kindle Fire batteries. I contacted Amazon concerning this & was told since it was over the 1 year warranty that they could only offer me a replacement at a ($40.00) discount towards a new Kindle Fire HD. I had already spent over $200.00 for the original.Kindle & then to pay an additional $115.00 for another device, was not something I had planned on doing. When I originally purchased this I figured it would last longer than 2 years. I inquired how could I be assured that this would not happen to this battery & was told that the Kindle Fire HD was an upgrade ( I assume to the battery). I stated that if they knew there was an issue with the battery that warranted the upgrade then why wasn’t there a recall. I was basically told that devices do go bad. I reluctantly purchased the Kindle Fire HD replacement, but after reading different complaints that were resolved by Amazon, I noticed that some people were issued free replacements while others(including myself) were only offered discounted replacements. I feel if Amazon had issues with the batteries on the Kindle Fire they should honor every complaint with a free replacement.

   From here to the bottom is a copy of the chat transcript I had with [REDACTED] from Amazon: Hello,

   Here’s a copy of the chat transcript you requested:

   Initial Question: my kindle fire’s battery just started swelling & pushed the back case off completely. I’m not sure if this is dangerous or could explode. I noticed a mark on the screen about 2 weeks ago that really wasn’t interfering with anything to cause a problem. The kindle is working & the mark on the screen has gone away. Will Amazon cover a replacement for my Kindle fire 02:56 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Hello,my name Is [REDACTED],I’ll be happy to help you.

   02:57 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): I apologize for the inconvenience caused Please allow me a minute while I open your account 03:01 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Sorry to keep you waiting Is it on [REDACTED] [REDACTED]? 03:02 PM PDT [REDACTED]: yes 03:04 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Have you tried charging device with any other charger? 03:06 PM PDT [REDACTED]: no, only charger that goes with kindle fire. I never had a problem with kindle charging. 03:06 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Okay 03:07 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): It seems there is an issue with device battery which cannot be resolved by troubleshooting,As your Kindle is outside of the One-Year Limited Warranty, I can offer you a replacement device at a reduced cost plus shipping and any applicable sales tax. Keep in mind the pricing and options are subject to change based on availability 03:11 PM PDT [REDACTED]: What is the reduced replacement going to cost me? I googled this and it seems that there is a lot of different complaints with kindle fire;s battery swelling &I feel if it is a problem for the price we are paying for this there should be a recall on this item . I paid over $200.00 for this & it only lasts for ~ 2 years. Thats not good enough! 03:12 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): I can offer you replacement Kindle Fire HD 7”, HD Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB - Includes Special Offers $99.00 03:13 PM PDT [REDACTED]: Is this a refurbished device? 03:13 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): No its new Kindle Fire HD 7”, HD Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB - Includes Special Offers $109.00 Kindle Fire HDX 7”, HDX Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB - Includes Special Offers $149.00 03:13 PM PDT [REDACTED]: What is this special offers? 03:18 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Special offers advertisements which appears on device screen 03:20 PM PDT [REDACTED]: Am I going to have another problem with this new kindle with the battery swelling? No offense but I am paying a lot of money & is it going to happen again? 03:23 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): No you will not have any issues this time as these device upgraded device and there will no issues with it 03:26 PM PDT [REDACTED]: How can you be so sure about that? Apparently there was an issue with these batteries that Kindle did an update... I feel you should cover a new replacement Kindle fire for those of us who have this issue. 03:26 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): I am extremely sorry all electronic devices are bound to defect with any hardware or software issues however we care for our customers that why we offer them devices at discounted prices even after warranty is expired 03:31 PM PDT [REDACTED]: I will only be getting a discount of ~ $40.00? So If I don’t want these special advertisements, it will cost be around $40.00 extra (I have a kindle touch with advertisements-that I don’t like). So I will not be getting any discount really. 03:31 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): I don’t mean to rush you, but we’ve been idle for 3 minutes. I want to make sure our chat’s still connected. If you aren’t able to respond in 2 minutes, this chat will close. 03:33 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): I will make a note for you in your amazon account so when you received the device please get back to us and we will remove special offers at no cost 03:33 PM PDT [REDACTED]: Ok 03:34 PM PDT Kelly: What do I do to purchase/ 03:35 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): May I know which device you would like to proceed with? 03:36 PM PDT [REDACTED]: kindle hd 16gb 03:37 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Kindle Fire HD 7”, HD Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB - Includes Special Offers $109.00? 03:38 PM PDT [REDACTED]: yes but without special offers at no cost 03:39 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Yes I will leave my notes for you to remove special offers at no cost and for that you need to contact us once device is arrived So proceed to replace the device may I know the shipping address? 03:39 PM PDT [REDACTED]: [REDACTED] 03:40 PM PDT [REDACTED]: [REDACTED] 03:41 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Thanks 03:42 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): may I also know the last 4 digits of the credit card?A valid credit card is required for collateral since a replacement is being issued before returned items are received. We may authorize up to $1 to verify the selected card is valid. 03:43 PM PDT [REDACTED]: [REDACTED] 03:46 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Thanks 03:47 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): Device is replaced Estimated Delivery Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 - Monday, July 14, 2014 Order Total: $115.54 As there is tax also $6.98 03:48 PM PDT [REDACTED](Amazon): here is the pre paid return label to send us defective kindle back https://www.amazon.com/returns/label/4e592f4e-7b7e-4118-821c-ec4fbaf33e40/rmaID/D6mQs4xQRRMA?token=ycEBIfUehv9Y%2FO7h%2F9ce346jXv3ufwv3AAmm11jPYWLCe8VGGTpcxxDLfp8yV0hhNAKnmqhokbFNAq9nyQ3O.co8lr9icvS38q3uzxf7vBsjZC&ref_=orc_label_share_url_page 03:51 PM PDT [REDACTED]: Thanks. I hope I don’t have any issues with this kindle.

   Thank you. Amazon.com

   Model

   kindle Fire

   Serial number

   D01E C0A0 1481 3BW5

   Bought from

   Amazon

   Bought

   Feb 9, 2012, about then

   Where

   Lilly, Pennsylvania: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Kindle Fire, made or sold by Amazon.com LLC

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources