The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Coby Electronics, announced a voluntary recall of rechargeable batteries sold with various Coby portable DVD/CD/MP3 players.
According to the statement, consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
For more information visit: www.cpsc.gov ; www.cobyusa.com
Unedited press release follows:
Low Return Rate and Additional Reports of Fires Prompt Reannouncement of Coby Electronics Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player Recalls
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Rechargeable Batteries sold with Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players
Units: About 32,600; 13,000 previously recalled in October 2008 and 19,600 in October 2009
Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Lake Success, N.Y.
Hazard: The rechargeable batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Coby Electronics has received 22 reports of the battery overheating. Eighteen additional incidents of the battery overheating in the TF-DVD 1020 model, 17 of which resulted in property damage ranging from minor up to $9,650. No additional incidents have been reported for the TF-DVD 8501 model.
Description: The recall involves Coby DVD/CD/MP3 players with product numbers TF-DVD 1020 and TF-DVD 8501. “Coby” is printed on the front cover and the product number is on the bottom of the unit. The serial numbers on the recalled rechargeable batteries are printed on a label on the following batteries:
Product Number Serial Number Description
TF-DVD 1020 DG240043D503000001-1006 Swivel screen
TF-DVD 1020 DG240006D503000001-400
TF-DVD 1020 DG240039D603000001-3000
TF-DVD 1020 DG240111D603000001-2000
TF-DVD 1020 DG240143D602000001-3000
TF-DVD 1020 DG240106D602000001-2000
TF-DVD 1020 DG240106D702000001-2000
TF-DVD 1020 DG240183D942000001-100
TF-DVD 1020 DG240071DB02000001-1400
TF-DVD 1020 DG240115D702000001-2500
TF-DVD 8501 Begin with “HY” 8 1/2 inch screen
Sold at: Discount, electronics, music, toy, office supply stores and distributors of electronic products nationwide. The TF-DVD 1020 units were sold from May 2007 through July 2008 for about $168. The TF-DVD 8501 units were sold from January 2007 through September 2009 for between $140 and $275.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the players with the recalled batteries and contact the firm to arrange for a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled batteries from the unit, consumers can continue to use it with the AC or DC power adapter.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Coby Electronics toll-free at (866) 945-2629 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.cobyusa.com.
Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10205.html.
CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 945-2629
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908