Fujitsu-Siemens recalls 250,000 notebook batteries

FRANKFURT: Fujitsu-Siemens, Europe's biggest computer maker, recalled 250,000 notebook computer batteries on Wednesday, saying they could overheat and there was a risk they could catch fire.

The joint venture between Japanese electronics maker Fujitsu and German engineering conglomerate Siemens said the recall affected AMILO laptop batteries sold since October.

Fujitsu-Siemens said it had received four reports of batteries overheating and no reports of injury.

"The company recommends that on specific models, customers should stop using the batteries immediately, and operate their notebook with the AC power adapter only," the company said in a statement.

It said it would replace the batteries free of charge.

A Fujitsu-Siemens spokeswoman said the company did not make its own batteries. She declined to name the supplier.

"We do not manufacture batteries but we're responsible for the overall computer," she said.

Nokia, the world's biggest mobile-phone maker, was hit by a spate of reports in 2003 of its batteries overheating and catching fire or exploding.

It later took steps to crack down on counterfeit batteries, which it blamed for the accidents.

Fujitsu-Siemens has set up a Web site, www.fujitsu-siemens.com/batteryexchange, with details of its exchange programme.