Dell recalls 35,000 'risky' laptop batteries

Dell on Friday announced a recall of about 22,000 laptop computer batteries sold in the US and an additional 13,000 abroad.

The 35,000 recalled batteries were sold with several models of Latitude and Inspiron machines and Precision mobile workstations between 5 October, 2004, and 13 October, 2005.

Manufactured in China or Japan, they were also sold on their own as replacement batteries - at a cost of between $99 and $179 - during that time.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Dell warned consumers to stop using the products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The Round Rock, Texas-based company has learned of three incidents of the recalled batteries overheating, resulting in damage to a tabletop and a desktop, and in "minor damage to personal effects", but no reported injuries.

Dell users should contact the company and have the battery's identification number available in order to determine whether it is subject to recall. If the battery qualifies, Dell said it would supply a free replacement.

More information is available at a Dell web page.

The latest warnings appear to be far from the scale of a massive recall of Dell laptop power adapters last year, which sought to reel in about 4.4 million adapters sold worldwide.

Anne Broache writes for CNET News.com