Dell recalled laptop batteries in 2006 after lithium-ion cells made by Sony could overheat and catch fire. The batteries were used in certain Dell notebook computers, including some models in the Latitude, Inspiron, XPS, and Precision lines.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission described the action as the largest consumer-electronics recall at that time, involving about 4.1 million battery packs in the United States. Dell offered free replacement batteries and advised customers to use affected notebooks with AC power while waiting for replacements.
The problem arose from microscopic metal particles inside some Sony cells. Those particles could create an internal short circuit, causing rapid heating. Lithium-ion batteries remain widely used because they store substantial energy in a small package, but that energy makes manufacturing quality and protective circuitry important.
Other computer makers also issued battery recalls involving Sony cells. Dell’s action is therefore distinct from a recall of entire laptops: the affected component was the removable battery pack.