Nokia investigates overheating batteries


14 Aug 2007

Nokia is conducting an investigation into over 46m batteries manufactured between December 2005 and November 2006 by its supplier Matsushita. So far there have been 100 reported incidents of batteries overheating but no injuries or property damage have been reported.

Nokia says that in very rare cases its branded BL-5C batteries could potentially “experience overheating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge.

“Nokia is working with Matsushita and will be cooperating with the relevant authorities to investigate this situation,” the company stated.

Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries who have collectively produced more than 300m BL-5C batteries.

The warning currently applies only to the 46m batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006, from which there have been approximately 100 incidents of overheating reported globally.

No serious injuries or property damage have been reported, the company insisted.

Nokia said that all 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery.

It said that concerned consumers can request a replacement for any BL-5C battery following the warning.

The BL-5C is one of 14 different battery models used in Nokia products.

Concerned Nokia phone owners keen to determine whether their phones are affected should visit the website http://www.nokia.com/batteryreplacement

By John Kennedy