Toshiba Recalls 41,000 Satellite Notebooks Due To Burn Hazard
Zing! Burn! Ouch! We know, it's too easy, but we just had to. Sony, HP and lots of others have dealt with burn-related recalls in the past, and now it's Toshiba's turn. Today, the company has issued a voluntary recall on their T Series notebook computers due to a "burn hazard."
The recall is fairly significant in size and scope. Around 41,000 units globally are included in the recall, namely, the Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite ProT130. These were sold rather recently -- between August of last year and August 2010 for between $600 and $800. According to the report, the DC input jack (where the AC adapter plugs in to charge / power the machine) can "overheat to the point where the plastic base around the jack melts, which could lead to burns on users who touch it."
Currently, Toshiba Canada has received 14 reports of "excessive heat or smoke from the computers." 129 reports in the United States have been listed. According to the CPSC, the company's reports involve "notebook computers overheating and deforming the plastic casing area around the AC adapter plug, including two reports of minor burn injuries that did not require medical attention and two reports of minor property damage."
These models were obviously popular items, and if you're one of the owners that has yet to get burnt, count yourself lucky and follow the instructions below in order to properly deal with things. Good luck, and stay cool out there.
The recall is fairly significant in size and scope. Around 41,000 units globally are included in the recall, namely, the Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite ProT130. These were sold rather recently -- between August of last year and August 2010 for between $600 and $800. According to the report, the DC input jack (where the AC adapter plugs in to charge / power the machine) can "overheat to the point where the plastic base around the jack melts, which could lead to burns on users who touch it."
Currently, Toshiba Canada has received 14 reports of "excessive heat or smoke from the computers." 129 reports in the United States have been listed. According to the CPSC, the company's reports involve "notebook computers overheating and deforming the plastic casing area around the AC adapter plug, including two reports of minor burn injuries that did not require medical attention and two reports of minor property damage."
These models were obviously popular items, and if you're one of the owners that has yet to get burnt, count yourself lucky and follow the instructions below in order to properly deal with things. Good luck, and stay cool out there.
Toshiba Recalls T Series Notebook Computers Due to Burn Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite ProT130 Notebook Computers
Units: About 41,000 worldwide
Manufacturer: Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., of Irvine, Calif.
Hazard: The notebook computers can overheat at the notebook's plug-in to the AC adapter, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Toshiba has received 129 reports of the notebook computers overheating and deforming the plastic casing area around the AC adapter plug, including two reports of minor burn injuries that did not require medical attention and two reports of minor property damage.
Description: This recall involves certain Toshiba Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite Pro T130 notebook computer models. "Toshiba" is printed on the top of the notebook computer. The model name and number are printed on a label on the bottom of the notebook computers.
Sold at: Electronics stores and other retailers nationwide and online, including at Toshibadirect.com and other websites, from August 2009 through August 2010 for between $600 and $800.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately download the latest version of Toshiba's BIOS computer program to their notebook computer at http://laptops.toshiba.com/about/consumer-notices. This new computer program will detect whether the notebook computer is overheating, and if so, disable the notebook computer's external power and display a message directing the consumer to contact Toshiba for a free repair. Consumers who do not have Internet access should contact Toshiba to arrange for installation of the updated BIOS.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toshiba at (800) 457-7777 anytime or visit the firm's website at http://laptops.toshiba.com/about/consumer-notices
Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1157
