Kyocera Recalls 7135 Smartphone Batteries

Posted By: Ryan Monday, January 26, 2004 9:50:59 AM

The US Consumer Product Safety commission and Kyocera have announced the voluntary recall of the batteries found in the Kyocera 7135 Smartphone. Consumers are recommended to stop using the affected battery immediately. Kyocera is replacing the batteries for free.

Kyocera says over 140,000 batteries in the 7135 Palm OS smartphone are affected in the recall. The recalled batteries are included in Kyocera model 7135 Smartphone cell phones. The black and silver flip-up phones say "Kyocera" at the top of the screen. The recalled batteries have the red and white Kyocera name printed on the front and a product code ending with -05 printed on the underside.

The recalled batteries can short-circuit and erupt with force or emit excessive heat, posing a burn hazard to consumers. Kyocera Wireless has received four reports of battery failures, including one minor burn injury. Coslight International Group, of Hong Kong, manufactured the batteries for Kyocera in China.

Verizon Wireless, US Cellular and ALLTEL Corporation stores, in addition to Web site and telemarketing retailers nationwide sold the cell phones with the -05 battery from September 2003 through December 2003 for about $500. The batteries also were sold separately during this time for about $21.

Kyocera 7135 Smartphone Battery Consumers with the recalled units should immediately stop using the battery in the cell phone. Kyocera Wireless will contact consumers to arrange for delivery of a free replacement battery. If consumers are not contacted by Kyocera by Feb. 6, they are asked to contact the firm to receive the free replacement battery. The batteries should be stored in an environment with non-flammable materials. Kyocera Wireless can be reached at: (800) 349-4478 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at kyocera-wireless.com.

Permalink |

Article Comments

(8 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.

Fire hazard

Be_True @ 1/26/2004 12:03:48 PM #

"The recalled batteries can short-circuit
and erupt with force or emit excessive heat,
posing a burn hazard to consumers.
The batteries should not be stored in an
environment with flammable materials."

For those of you that wonder why they don't want you to use a cell-phone while filling the gas tank,
There's your answer.

-Chris

Tungsten C, Palm IIIxe, Wizard OZ-9520

"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati"

RE: Fire hazard

Bartman007 @ 1/26/2004 4:39:20 PM #

The main worry with the cell phone/gas pump myth was that the radio waves (which operate somewhat close to microwave frequencies) could excite the gas and cause an explosion. In reality most gas pump fires are caused when static discharge ignites a small amount of gas on the exterior, then in shock the person jerks their hand back, spraying gas all over. As it stands, about 3 occur each year in the US, not enough to really worry about, especially when compared to the number of other car related accidents each year.

but your point is taken, these exploding at a gas station would not be a good thing...
I find it suprising that the "official batteries" are causing this problem. Most exploding batteries are cheap generic ones.

Peace,
-Bartman007

Monty Python, where are you when we need you?? :D

Strider_mt2k @ 1/26/2004 3:54:58 PM #

"And now the smart-phone on your television set will explode..."

...Oh dear, the smart-phone's exploded!

SanDisk doesn't make batteries, do they?

RE: Monty Python, where are you when we need you?? :D

Hal2000 @ 1/26/2004 5:48:09 PM #

Whats on tv? - An exploding cell phone. - NOT WHAT'S ON THE TV SET!!!

Zodiac2/T616

RE: Monty Python, where are you when we need you?? :D

Be_True @ 1/27/2004 1:26:10 AM #

"SanDisk doesn't make batteries, do they?"

I hope not!

We're having enough trouble with batteries already!

Tungsten C, Palm IIIxe, Wizard OZ-9520

"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati"

Made In China

Wollombi @ 1/27/2004 2:14:03 AM #

Has anyone else noticed the increase in production flaws when companies start manufacturing in the 3rd world?

Things may have been more expensive when they were built here, but I don't remember nearly as many recalls/saftey warnings/etc. as what we are seeing now.

_________________
Sean

Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.

Tech and xenophobia

borgiaX @ 1/27/2004 2:00:10 PM #

The recall of tires blamed for the rollover problem in SUV's and the exploding gas tank of the Ford Pinto were not associated with the third world.
Capitalists try to make profit, that is their overiding goal, things like good customer service, or quality contol are sacrificed to that goal.
Please dont blame the third world for mistakes that are condoned in boardrooms of multinationals everywhere.

Flagrans Veritatis Studio

Stop using batteries, but...

mitchcohen2 @ 1/27/2004 4:22:24 PM #

Um... Stop using the batteries immediately. But don't bother calling us, unless we forget to call you for two weeks! Should I hold my breath for Verizon to overnight me a new battery so I can keep using their phone?

(Proud owner of an affected battery, thus far not in flames.)