Sony Recalls VAIO Laptop Computers Due to Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)

Name of product: Notebook computers

Units: About 233,000

Manufacturer: Sony Electronics Inc. of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The computers can overheat, posing a burn hazard to the consumer.

Incidents/Injuries: Sony has received 30 reports of units overheating resulting in deformed keyboards and casings. No injuries have been reported.

Description:  The recalled products are VPCF11 Series and VPCCW2 Series notebook computers. The computers are available in many colors and have "VAIO" on the front outside panel. The model numbers can be found on the bottom of the computers.

The following models are included:

Sold at: Best Buy, Costco, Frys, Amazon.com and Sony Style retail stores and sonystyle.com as well as other electronics retailers and business suppliers nationwide. The recalled computers were shipped to consumers and resellers between January 2010 and April 2010. They sold for between $800 and $1,500.

Manufactured in: China and the United States

Remedy:  Consumers should immediately go to http://esupport.sony.com/US/f1cw2update for instructions on how to update the computer's BIOS firmware. Consumers can also call Sony or visit Sony Style retail stores nationwide for help with installing the update. This firmware will prevent the computer from overheating. The firmware update will also be available through the VAIO Update software program installed on the recalled computers.  A prompt will appear when users log on.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Sony toll-free any time at (866) 496-7669 or visit the firm's website at http://esupport.sony.com/US/f1cw2update.

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

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from over 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually.  The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or re-sell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772, teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this press release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 496-7669

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission