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KYOCERA ISssues Voluntary Battery Recall On CDMA Phones
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Posted by: Wireless

Kyocera Wireless has voluntarily initiated a battery recall used in several of its most popular CDMA wireless handsets after discovering a supplier had delivered "potentially fraudulent batteries" into the market. The handset manufacturer is working closely with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on the recall.

Kyocera discovered the battery problem as part of its ongoing quality control process, says company spokesman John Chier. "After looking at the track record for these batteries, we were concerned about potential quality issues, and after deeper a investigation, discovered potentially counterfeit batteries," he says. A former supplier, who allegedly continued to supply Kyocera-branded batteries to the aftermarket even after the contract between the two companies was terminated, supplied the batteries.

Kyocera has issued a voluntary recall of the batteries that are used in Kyocera's most popular phones, including the Slider Series (SE44 and SE47), the Phantom, Rave, Blade Series (KE/KX400) and the 3200 Series (3225 and 3250). This is a battery replacement program, not a handset replacement program - the phones are fine, says Chier.
MORE AT LINK BELOW

SOURCE: WIRELESS WEEK

Posted by: AndrewSFM

Didn't Kyocera already do a recall on these batteries?

I got a notice from them in the mail months ago, and it said that if my battery's serial number started with a certain few digits then I was supposed to request a new battery. I've already done that and have been using the new battery for months now.

Is this a new alert?

Who do I contact for yet another new battery?

Posted by: Fire14

Here is more about this recall, it seems the company that originally made the bad batteries managed to get more to the company & is selling them to cell accessorie companies.

URL: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-5430459.html
Kyocera Wireless on Thursday expanded from 40,000 to 1 million the number of possibly counterfeit cell phone batteries it began recalling in May, blaming the mushrooming impact on an allegedly renegade former battery supplier.

Kyocera started its "small-scale battery replacement program" in May after discovering a batch of about 40,000 batteries supplied by Hecmma Group of El Paso, Texas, contained counterfeits, said Kyocera Wireless spokesman John Chier. "After we issued the recall and terminated their contract, we found that they were continuing to supply the batteries to the gray market" of sometimes dubious wireless goods outlets, Chier said.

The recall now includes the KE/KX 400 series, 3200 series and its popular Slider series cell phones sold at Alltel, Cricket Communications, MetroPCS, US Cellular and Verizon Wireless stores nationwide; telemarketing retailers; and various Web sites.

The batteries on these phones are prone to overheating, say safety officials. More than a dozen phones with the batteries attached have overheated, causing two minor burn injuries, according to a spokesman for Kyocera Wireless.

Hecmma has a manufacturing facility in Juarez, Mexico, and also supplies batteries to Makita Corporation, Mag Instruments and ProDentek, according to its Web site. A representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

The latest round of alleged counterfeits feature Kyocera's company logo, giving the appearance of Kyocera-approved batteries. The company is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to locate the counterfeit batteries and prosecute the supplier, which is based in the United States.

The wireless phone maker noted it does not know what percentage of the batteries it received from Hecmma Group contain unauthorized battery cells, because detection is determined only after the battery has been disassembled.

Over the past 15 months, the industry has been hit with reports of exploding cell phones, with some of the earlier cases occurring in the Netherlands and others later surfacing in the United States.

In August 2003, a Dutch woman received injuries to her hands from an exploding Nokia phone, and two months later a Dutch man incurred burns to his legs after a Nokia handheld exploded in his pants pocket.

In October of last year, Kyocera temporarily halted shipments of its KE413 Phantom phone models after a Nebraska family reported one such device had vented hot gasses. The cell phone maker determined it was an isolated problem and resumed sales a week later.

And in July 2004, a California teenager was injured after her Kyocera 2325 cell phone caught fire. Nearly all of the reported incidents to date have largely been caused by defective or counterfeit batteries, according to law enforcement and handset makers.

Posted by: snafu

i gmailed Kyocera three days ago about this, and they have yet to reply. I got my email confirmation, but no reply

nice links

Posted by: asjeep

ugggggggggg.

i just bought a rave about 4 days ago........

think i should call my cell phone carrier?

Posted by: HC - NO "i"

Offical Press Release from Kyocera:

http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/news/20041028_2.htm

Kyocera Launches Precautionary Battery Recall, Pursues Supplier of Counterfeit Batteries

San Diego, CA - (October 28, 2004) - Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, today announced a voluntary and precautionary recall of potentially fraudulent batteries in its KE/KX 400 Series, 3200 Series and Slider Series phones. This recall is limited solely to cell phone batteries, as there are no defects with the Kyocera phones.

Kyocera Wireless Corp.'s (KWC's) stringent ongoing quality control processes revealed that a battery supplier, since terminated, intentionally provided KWC with batteries containing unapproved battery cells, the internal power sources within the batteries. The supplier's deceit resulted in fraudulent batteries shipping with Kyocera phones and being sold as accessories. Upon deeper investigation, KWC discovered that despite terminating the supplier's services, the supplier continued to make the fraudulent batteries and sold them into the gray (after) market. These counterfeits feature Kyocera's logo and are designed to look identical to legitimate Kyocera-approved batteries. Since the supplier is headquartered in the U.S., KWC is actively working with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to locate these counterfeit batteries, prosecute those involved and ensure they do not reach consumers.

"Launching this proactive recall is the responsible action to take, of course, as nothing is more important than the safety of consumers and quality of our products," said Tsuyoshi Mano, president of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "People who buy our phones instill their trust in Kyocera and we will act in their best interests. We are working closely with all of our carrier partners to identify those who may be affected and replace their batteries as quickly and conveniently as possible."

The recall is focused only on batteries from this particular supplier and only affects the aforementioned phone models. The affected batteries are easily identified by product numbers and serial codes found on the battery label. It is not known what percentage of batteries from the supplier in question contained fraudulent battery cells, as they can only be identified by disassembling the batteries. While the vast majority of batteries that will be removed from the market are likely to contain safe, reputable cells, the best way to ensure removal of all fraudulently manufactured and counterfeit batteries from the market is to recall all batteries manufactured by this supplier - good or bad.

Kyocera Wireless has been coordinating with all carrier partners to contact affected customers directly and alert them of the replacement program procedures. Many customers have already been notified and have received new batteries. Kyocera has also been working with each carrier partner to ensure that all impacted batteries have been removed from their inventories and that all retail locations contain approved batteries for each Kyocera phone model.

"This program will create a logistical and financial hardship for Kyocera Wireless Corp., but we know it is the responsible thing to do," said Mano.

Today, Kyocera has completely changed its battery supply chain and has strongly enhanced its battery quality processes. KWC has hired a widely renowned leader for its battery engineering team, has formalized a strict, ongoing third-party testing program and has doubled its own internal testing of batteries, among other enhancements. KWC is confident that the batteries currently being shipped in its phones are among the best in the business and the highest quality batteries that the company has ever sold.

KWC's global customer care centers are available to address consumers' concerns and answer questions at (toll-free) 866-559-3882, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. PT Monday - Friday or request a replacement battery online at http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/battery.htm.

Affected Batteries
The focus of the recall is on the phone models with batteries detailed below:

Slider Series > SE44, SE47:

CV90-L305N-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305P-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L349T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)

K400 Series > "Phantom", "Blade", "Rave", KE413, KE/KX414, KE/KX424, KE433, KE/KX434:

CV90-K3040-03 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-09 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-10 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-11 (Serial Number 1104057 and lower)

3200 Series > 3225, 3245, 3250 (Appears above or below phone display):

CV90-K3040-03 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-09 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-10 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-11 (Serial Number 1104057 and lower)

Posted by: HC - NO "i"

Fellow owners,

It is very esay to find out: Just check the batch and serial numbers of your battery. And, go to:

http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/battery.htm

Fill in the form if you have the affected one.

Posted by: asjeep

question... depending on how they tell you to send it back (i am assuming us mail)

isnt it illegal for us to send them the battery back?

the us postal service lists certain items as non mailable....

(1) Corrosives.
(2) Explosives.
(3) Flammable liquids and solids, combustible liquids.
(4) Gases (under pressure).
(5) Infectious substances, etiologic agents, clinical specimens, biological products, sharps, other used medical devices.
(6) Miscellaneous hazardous materials (i.e., dry ice, magnetized materials).
(7) ORM-D materials.
(8) Oxidizers, organic peroxides.
(9) Radioactive materials.
(10) Toxic substances (poisons).
b. Restricted matter (DMM C024) includes:
(1) Abortive and contraceptive devices.
(2) Battery-powered devices.
(3) Building construction materials.
(4) Controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
(5) Firearms.
(6) Intoxicating liquors.
(7) Liquids and powders.
(8) Matter emitting obnoxious odors.
(9) Motor vehicle master keys.
(10) Nonhazardous liquids and powders.
(11) Sharp objects (knives, switchblades, stilettos).
(12) Odd-shaped items in letter-size envelopes.

I would say this might fit under possible explosives, certainly battery powered,

http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.htm

Posted by: AndrewSFM

Last time they did a recall, I got an envelope to put the old battery in for return to some logistics recycling depot or something, but I think it was in Canada.

I never bothered to return the old battery anyways, and they haven't contacted me probably cause they don't care.

Even if they did, I would have just said I already disposed of it properly before I got the replacement.

Posted by: Fire14

Batteries would be ok to ship via USPS.

Posted by: asjeep

even if they were considered to possibly be an explosive risk? I am sure homeland security would not agree,

then again they are protecting us from illegal rubick's cubes......

Posted by: markie11

See, the thing is the battery isn't in the device and isn't receiving nor giving power at the time, so I doubt there's a risk (unless it's an internal short circuit risk). But I don't really know...

Posted by: Fire14

Quote:

Originally posted by asjeep
even if they were considered to possibly be an explosive risk? I am sure homeland security would not agree,

then again they are protecting us from illegal rubick's cubes......

By them selves with nothing to cause the contacts to connect, then it's not considered an explosive risk. The only other way is if the battery is burned. I really doubt it would be an issue but we are talking about the postal service & some people there could go postal over a battery. I know i have shipped cell phones via them with no problems, you can always ask them by showing it's not a liquid filled battery.

Posted by: Tech_Junkie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by HC - NO "i"
[B]Offical Press Release from Kyocera:

Slider Series > SE44, SE47:

CV90-L305N-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305P-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L349T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)[QUOTE]

Oh great....thats me! at least i have my light up battery so i don't use that 1 anymore

Posted by: gweilo8888

Quote:

Originally posted by sliderdude
[QUOTE]Originally posted by HC - NO "i"
[B]Offical Press Release from Kyocera:

Slider Series > SE44, SE47:

CV90-L305N-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305P-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L349T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)[QUOTE]

Oh great....thats me! at least i have my light up battery so i don't use that 1 anymore

Your light-up battery won't be made by Kyocera, so it will be just as risky as the ones being recalled, if not more so.

Posted by: php486

i have bought 3 backup batterys becuase i go on long trips for work, all 3 are at risk, does anyone know how to get these replaced? thanks

Posted by: gweilo8888

Quote:

Originally posted by php486
i have bought 3 backup batterys becuase i go on long trips for work, all 3 are at risk, does anyone know how to get these replaced? thanks

Phone Kyocera. There's another thread near the top of this forum right now with contact details...

Posted by: php486

i tried to call ealier today, sat on hold for 45 mins and then gave up, guess ill try again later

Posted by: HC - NO "i"

*HUMOUR

Posted by: snafu

Quote:

Originally posted by HC - NO "i"
*HUMOUR

worst. photoshop. ever.

yay, a sticky

oh yeah, you guys don't have to call, you can just go to http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/battery.htm and fill out the form for a new battery.

Posted by: fpoon

I think some of us figure out these batteries sucked a long time ago, way before phones started melting...

I bought a Phantom in Oct. of last year, little more than a year ago. I had about an hour continuous minutes of talk. I figured this was normal, being a cell newbie. However, once the battery started dying even further down, and my phone just quit after about 40 minutes or so, I took it back to the store.

They put me through multiple CRAPPY replacement phones, despite my contract stating that my replacement phone, if ever needed would be worth the same $ or greater than my original phone. Despite it being a battery issue, they sent the WHOLE PHONE.

To make a long story short, I called their corparate office and threatned to picket in front of their store if they didn't get my phone or a decent replacement back. Later that afternoon, I picked up my "new" KX414. The battery is a CV90-K3040-15, so I assume it's all good, as I havn't had any problems with it, other than dropping calls which is Verizon's fault...

So what happens if I sign up for the battery? Get a freebie?

Posted by: bigr5026

thanks for telling us, my aunt has the 3200 series phone

Posted by: sportbiker

has anyone noticed the stand by time dramatically decreased with the new replacement battery?

I should have kept my recall battery!!!

My standby times have gone from 3 days, to less than 8 hours.

Now I have to convince Kyocera that its a battery problem. good luck!

Posted by: Sorthum

I have one of the counterfeit batteries.

Kinda sad that it's the best cell batter I've ever owned.

Posted by: AndrewSFM

Last night I was talking on my Kyocera Blade, and for some reason it just suddenly turned itself off.

Pressing power would not turn it back on, so I removed the battery.

After inspecting the battery, it seems almost like it had slightly swollen and had a belly on both sides as opposed to being flat.

I'm not sure if it was like this since the first day I got it or not, but it doesn't seem normal.

It's an aftermarket battery from eBay, but I'm wondering if maybe this swelling is the start of the same problem Kyocera had with their brand batteries exploding.

Posted by: Sorthum

"If battery starts to swell, fall to ground and cover head."

Posted by: hardist

Good info , my Phantom had a battery covered by this and I had no clue till reading this forum , got a brand new battery from Kyocera thanks to this forum !

Posted by: cmorty

After reporting to Kyocera that I had one of their faulty batteries, I just got mine in the mail yesterday after one month.
When inspecting the serial number on the battery....I noticed that it had the EXACT serial number on my recalled battery!

:CV90-L349T-01

I also noticed that the old battery was starting to 'bow' a bit in the middle.

The replacement battery seems to be doing as good as a job as the old......the only difference is it does'nt heat up when charging like the old one. This of course is a good thing.

Posted by: gweilo8888

Quote:

Originally posted by cmorty
After reporting to Kyocera that I had one of their faulty batteries, I just got mine in the mail yesterday after one month.
When inspecting the serial number on the battery....I noticed that it had the EXACT serial number on my recalled battery! :CV90-L349T-01

I also noticed that the old battery was starting to 'bow' a bit in the middle.

The replacement battery seems to be doing as good as a job as the old......the only difference is it does'nt heat up when charging like the old one. This of course is a good thing.

That isn't a serial number, it is a product code.

Posted by: cmorty

O......K...... that makes sense. But are they still supposed to have the same product codes?

Posted by: gweilo8888

Quote:

Originally posted by cmorty
O......K...... that makes sense. But are they still supposed to have the same product codes?

Yes; the battery is identical to the original (if your original wasn't counterfeit) with the exception of the sticker.

Posted by: AgeNt B

The battery on my slider is all banged up. It's not a counterfit one. Do you think if i filled out that order form, kyocera would give me a new battery anyway???

Posted by: turbojetjs

I already got mine...I'm happy now

Posted by: JammDDR

I found out about the recall while doing a search to find a replacement battery. The clip on the bottom of the battery broke off after it was accidently dropped onto a hard table. After that the battery would no longer clip on to the phone.

I filled out the form and I even went on eBay and bought one there just in case the replacement one did not arrive. I got them both today. I am using the one I bought and saving the new original just in case.

Posted by: everkleer

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportbiker

has anyone noticed the stand by time dramatically decreased with the new replacement battery?

I should have kept my recall battery!!!

My standby times have gone from 3 days, to less than 8 hours.

Now I have to convince Kyocera that its a battery problem. good luck!

3 days? Even that seems kinda short. Mine seems to last about a week just on standby...

Posted by: everkleer

I bought my phone in Sept 2004 so I thought I was plenty safe since the recall was back in 2001, but I have an SE47 with a batt serial # lower than the one indicated.. Am I at risk here? I hardly ever turn my phone off and haven't seen any problems; as I just said my standby time averages a little under a week...

Posted by: liquid_leaf

I didn't know about the recall - and my husband's SE47 (I also have one) exploded today. Ok, more "burnt a little" is more like it - the battery leaked acid onto the phone and corroded off the battery contacts. You guessed it, the battery turns out to be one of the recalled ones. Now, though, the phone won't power on at all (using my battery that still works).... Had the phones for over a year - do you think Verizon or Kyocera will replace the phone too since the malfunction was due to their crappy battery?

Posted by: jawn

i was told by my cell provider the day i got my kx414 that newer cell phone batteries do not have memories like older ones...so i didn't do the "run it dead before charging thing". for the past two years, i was stuck with a cellular telephone that had 20 minutes of talktime before it would power itself off. additionally, kyocera's engineering geniuses weren't savvy enough to design an electrical system that allows the AC charger to sustain the telephone. the battery will still die in use-even if the telephone is plugged in. this makes my nose bleed when i think about it.

i ALMOST purchased a new battery for my telephone yesterday for $40. i was scouring the internet for battery deals when i came across the article that they were replacing the batteries due to a recall. i already submitted my request..and i had an affected battery. i'll let kyocera pick up the tab for this one..because this telephone has been awful. they owe me.

regards,
jawn

Posted by: cidknee

Quote:

do you think Verizon or Kyocera will replace the phone too since the malfunction was due to their crappy battery?

since when would verizon do anything to HELP a customer?

call Kyocera and let them know. theyll take care of it.

Quote:

additionally, kyocera's engineering geniuses weren't savvy enough to design an electrical system that allows the AC charger to sustain the telephone. the battery will still die in use-even if the telephone is plugged in. this makes my nose bleed when i think about it.

firstly. they do have a charger that will do it. is the actual charger NOT the circit in the phone. TRUST me.
99% of the carriers out there have the option to buy phones from Kyocera with a "rapid travel charger" but its cheaper for the regualr one and guess what they can charge you $50 for a rapid one. Nice of them huh.

Posted by: everkleer

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 7135

since when would verizon do anything to HELP a customer?

Verizon's ok when it comes to customer service - well as much as most customer service desks - it's Kyocera that has ABSOLUTELY NEVER given me ANY help/information!

Posted by: cidknee

well being someone who used to work in a Kyocera call center. I can tell you that they will do as much as they can for a customer. You wouldnt believe the amount of calls ive taken from verizon customers who are screming at the top of thier lungs cause those idiot verizon reps cant help them with squat.

It also depends on what help/imfprmation you need. If u need help with warranty, or voicemail? that has to go to yer dealer. ( Most of the time).
As far as I know the call center reps will give you as much info as they have. ALl the ones I worked with are great. BUT they have to follow rules. Now most ppl expect everything for nothing and well the world doesnt work that way, so if u are looking for free stuff smarten up. it isnt gonna happen. As far a "venting" battery call them and im sure they will take your info and have someone from Head office take care of it.

Posted by: cmorty

My new replacement battery SUCKS!!!! It only last for 1/4 of the time the re-called one did!!

And what really blows is when I put my phone on vibe while i'm at work, it dies faster

Sorry....just had to rant

Posted by: gweilo8888

My replacement seems to last much less time, as well.

Posted by: virginphonefun

I'm helping someone with her phone. The battery doesn't hold a charge very well, but she never noticed because she only turned her phone on for emergencies. I was looking at replacement batteries and came across the recall. I tried that URL and it isn't working. Any one know if it's still possible to do the recall (July 2006)?

Otherwise, given the cost of a replacement battery, her carrier has a Nokia phone she can switch to easily.

Thanks!