PlainRecalls
ModerateActive

CPSC recall · Reported April 21, 2015

Lenovo Expands Recall of Battery Packs for ThinkPad Notebook Computers Due to Fire Hazard

The battery packs can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Recall #
15117
Affected scope
About 148,800 in the United States and 17,700 in Canada (About 34,500 in the United States and 2,900 in Canada were recalled in March 2014)
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The recall

issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall — The battery packs can overheat, posing a fire hazard..

Moderate
severity level
April 21, 2015
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #15117 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #15117) was formally reported on April 21, 2015. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The recalling firm is not specified in the federal record. Federal records list the affected scope as About 148,800 in the United States and 17,700 in Canada (About 34,500 in the United States and 2,900 in Canada were recalled in March 2014).

The documented reason for this recall is: The battery packs can overheat, posing a fire hazard. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately turn off their ThinkPad notebook computer, remove the battery pack and contact Lenovo for a free replacement battery pack. Consumers can continue to use their ThinkPad no… — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC — clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Electronics recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category — 515 electronics recalls on record

-20020406080 20052008201120142017202020232026 2

Where this recall sits in the database

Severity2366872097High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 100,165 recalls in the database, 23,668 are high severity, 72,097 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 148,800 in the United States and 17,700 in Canada (About 34,500 in the United States and 2,900 in Canada were recalled in March 2014)

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

This recall involves Lenovo battery packs sold with the following ThinkPad notebook computers: the Edge 11, 13, 14, 15, 120, 125, 320, 325, 420, 425, 430, 520, 525 and 530 series; the L412, L420/421, L512 and L520 series; the T410, T420, T510 and T520 series; the W510 and W520 series; and the X100e, X120e, X121e, X130e, X200, X200s, X201, X201s, X220 and X220t series. The battery packs were also sold separately. The black battery packs measure between 8 to 11 inches long, 1 to 3 inches wide and about 1 inch high. Recalled battery packs have one of the following part numbers starting with the fourth digit in a long series of numbers and letters printed on a white sticker below the bar code on the battery pack: 42T4695, 42T4711, 42T4740, 42T4798, 42T4804, 42T4812, 42T4816, 42T4822, 42T4826, 42T4828, 42T4834, 42T4840, 42T4862, 42T4868, 42T4874, 42T4880, 42T4890, 42T4944, 42T4948, 42T4954, 42T4958, 45N1022 and 45N1050.

Reason for recall

The battery packs can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy — what to do

Consumers should immediately turn off their ThinkPad notebook computer, remove the battery pack and contact Lenovo for a free replacement battery pack. Consumers can continue to use their ThinkPad notebook without the battery pack by plugging in the AC adapter and power cord.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 15117
Date reported April 21, 2015
Date initiated April 21, 2015
Recalling firm Not disclosed
Affected scope About 148,800 in the United States and 17,700 in Canada (About 34,500 in the United States and 2,900 in Canada were recalled in March 2014)
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves Lenovo battery packs sold with the following ThinkPad notebook computers: the Edge 11, 13, 14, 15, 120, 125, 320, 325, 420, 425, 430, 520, 525 and 530 series; the L412, L420/421, L512 and L520 series; the T410, T420, T510 and T520 series; the W510 and W520 series; and the X100e, X120e, X121e, X130e, X200, X200s, X201, X201s, X220 and X220t series. The battery packs were also sold separately. The black battery packs measure between 8 to 11 inches long, 1 to 3 inches wide and about 1 inch high. Recalled battery packs have one of the following part numbers starting with the fourth digit in a long series of numbers and letters printed on a white sticker below the bar code on the battery pack: 42T4695, 42T4711, 42T4740, 42T4798, 42T4804, 42T4812, 42T4816, 42T4822, 42T4826, 42T4828, 42T4834, 42T4840, 42T4862, 42T4868, 42T4874, 42T4880, 42T4890, 42T4944, 42T4948, 42T4954, 42T4958, 45N1022 and 45N1050.. Units affected: About 148,800 in the United States and 17,700 in Canada (About 34,500 in the United States and 2,900 in Canada were recalled in March 2014).
Why was this product recalled?
The battery packs can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately turn off their ThinkPad notebook computer, remove the battery pack and contact Lenovo for a free replacement battery pack. Consumers can continue to use their ThinkPad notebook without the battery pack by plugging in the AC adapter and power cord.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 21, 2015. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 15117.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (15117) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Data Sources

Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: CPSC, reported April 21, 2015.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA) Aggregated federal recall feeds Recall data normalized across FDA, CPSC and NHTSA feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type).