Kyocera Battery Recall – Update

Mon, 20 Sep 2004

Kyocera Battery Recall – Update

Telecom has advised customers not to use or transport potentially faulty Kyocera mobile phone batteries to avert any risk that a battery may overheat and cause harm.

Customers are being asked to disconnect batteries from the phone and place them in a dry place away from people or combustible materials.

Mobile phone manufacturer Kyocera recently issued a recall on some batteries for the KE414G, KE414C and 3245 models of Kyocera phone because some may be faulty and pose a risk of over-heating, swelling, and in extreme cases, leaking potentially hazardous material.

Telecom is making arrangements for the batteries to be picked up early this week and a free replacement battery will be issued.

“We have been advised that the risk posed by these batteries is minimal but we obviously want to do everything to protect customers from a possible burn or fire hazard,” said Telecom Head of Mobile Marketing Kevin Bowler.

“It’s important in this sort of situation to err on the side of caution.

“We have been advised that if customers have one of the potentially faulty batteries they should store it safely until we pick it up and replace it. Customers should avoid using or transporting the batteries because it is possible that movement could trigger the malfunction.”

Customers with the KE414G, KE414C and 3245 models of Kyocera phone are asked to call 0800 080 051 to check whether their phone could have a faulty battery.

Customers who have already determined that there is no problem with their battery – either by checking the number range or calling Telecom – don’t need to do anything. Their battery is safe.

Advice for customers

Telecom has been contacting all potentially affected customers to update them on the recall, including instructions removing the battery and checking its number.

If the battery number is:

CV-K3040-14; CV90-K3040-15; or CV90-K3040-17

The phone’s battery does not need to be replaced.

If the battery number does not match one of these number, customers are asked to call 0800 080 051 free from any other phone (not the Kyocera mobile).

Customers should write down the numbers of the back of their battery and have this with them when they call. The customer service representative will ask the customer to read out a number code from the back of the mobile, so it can be checked against a master list of Kyocera mobiles requiring replacement batteries.

Customers who dial the 0800 number and find that they do have a potentially faulty battery are being given instructions on how to store the battery safely until Telecom collects it and delivers a replacement battery.

ENDS

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