CPSC Recall in 2004: CPSC, Kyocera Wireless Corp. Announce Recall of Cell Phone Batteries

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hecmma Group, of El Paso, Texas. is voluntarily recalling about 1 million batteries in Kyocera Wireless Cell Phones. Some of the cell phone batteries supplied by the battery manufacturer may be counterfeit. This can cause the batteries to short-circuit, overheat and pose burn hazard to consumers.Name of Product: Batteries in Kyocera Wireless Corp. Cell PhonesUnits: About 1 millionManufacturer: Hecmma Group, of El Paso, TexasDistributor: Kyocera Wireless Corp., of San Diego, Calif.Hazard: Some of the cell phone batteries supplied by the battery manufacturer may be counterfeit. This can cause the batteries to short-circuit, overheat and pose burn hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Kyocera has received 14 reports of battery failures, resulting in smoke and minor property damage. Two minor burn injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled batteries are included in Kyocera Slider, K400, and 3200 Series cell phones. Below is additional information about the cell phones and recalled batteries:Cell PhoneModel NameCell Phone Model NumberBattery Model Numbers  Battery Description Slider SeriesSE44/SE47CV90-L305N-01CV90-L305P-01CV90-L305T-01CV90-L349T-01 Battery has the Kyocera name printed in red and black along with the model number K400 Series"Phantom""Blade""Rave" KE413KE433KE/KX414KE/KX424KE/KX434 CV90-K3040-03CV90-K3040-09CV90-K3040-10CV90-K3040-11 Battery has the Kyocera name printed in red and white along with the model number 3200 Series 32253250(Appears above orbelow phone display) CV90-K3040-03CV90-K3040-09CV90-K3040-10CV90-K3040-11 Battery has the Kyocera name printed in red and white along with the model number Sold at: ALLTEL, Virgin Mobile, Cricket Communications, MetroPCS, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless stores nationwide; telemarketing retailers; various websites; and regional phone carriers sold the cell phones with the recalled batteries. The 3200 Series and K400 Series phones were sold from December 2003 to September 2004 for between $30 and $100. Slider Series phones were sold from May 2004 to September 2004 for between $30 and $170. The recalled batteries were also sold separately during the same periods for between $30 and $60.Manufactured In: Made in China, assembled in MexicoRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries in their cell phones. Kyocera will contact consumers directly to arrange for delivery of a free replacement battery. If consumers with recalled batteries are not contacted by Kyocera, they should call the company to receive a free replacement battery. The batteries should be stored in an environment with non-flammable materials.Consumer Contact: Call Kyocera Wireless Corp. toll-free at (866) 559-3882 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or request a replacement battery online at www.kyocera-wireless.com.Media Contact: John Chier at (858) 882-3543.

Some of the cell phone batteries supplied by the battery manufacturer may be counterfeit. This can cause the batteries to short-circuit, overheat and pose burn hazard to consumers.

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Kyocera has received 14 reports of battery failures, resulting in smoke and minor property damage. Two minor burn injuries have been reported.

ALLTEL, Virgin Mobile, Cricket Communications, MetroPCS, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless stores nationwide; telemarketing retailers; various websites; and regional phone carriers sold the cell phones with the recalled batteries. The 3200 Series and K400 Series phones were sold from December 2003 to September 2004 for between $30 and $100. Slider Series phones were sold from May 2004 to September 2004 for between $30 and $170. The recalled batteries were also sold separately during the same periods for between $30 and $60.

Made in China, assembled in Mexico