Major laptop maker recalls batteries over fire hazard by Kim Komando

Lenovo just recalled 166,500 battery packs for ThinkPad notebook computers, because they can overheat and catch on fire. If you own any of the affected models, you need to turn off your computer immediately and remove the battery.

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 recall also includes batteries that were sold separately from the computers. Affected batteries are black and measure 8 to 11 inches long, 1 to 3 inches wide and 1 inch tall.

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.

Lenovo has received several reports of the batteries overheating and damaging computers and other items. In one case, a Lenovo owner suffered what the company described as "skin being reddened and burn marks on the consumer's clothing." The recall affects 148,800 batteries sold in the U.S., and 17,700 sold in Canada.

If your battery is part of the recall, you should stop using it immediately to avoid a dangerous situation. Lenovo says you can continue to use your computer by plugging it in with the power adapter.

You should also contact Lenovo to let them know you have a defective battery. The company will provide a replacement free of charge.