In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities, Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide from October 2004 through May 2005 for use with the following notebook computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4. These batteries were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea.
The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Apple has received six consumer reports of these batteries overheating. If you have a recalled battery, please stop using it and order a replacement battery immediately. Once you have removed the battery, plug in the AC adapter to power the computer. If you must temporarily use your computer with the battery, do not leave it unattended and check for signs of overheating.
Apple has initiated a worldwide exchange program and will provide eligible customers with a new replacement battery, free of charge.
The recalled batteries include those with model numbers A1061, A1078, and A1079 and serial numbers that begin with HQ441 through HQ507 and 3X446 through 3X510. To view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark grey lettering beneath a barcode. See photos below. Please use the chart below to identify the battery model and serial numbers that apply to your iBook or PowerBook.
| Computer model | Battery model number |
Battery serial number range |
| 12-inch iBook G4 | A1061 | HQ441 – HQ507 |
| 12-inch PowerBook G4 | A1079 | 3X446 – 3X510 |
| 15-inch PowerBook G4 | A1078 | 3X446 – 3X509 |
Note: If your battery serial number does not match the requirements listed above, you do not have to exchange your battery.
National and regional resellers, catalogers, and Apple's on-line and retail stores sold the computers with the batteries from October 2004 through May 2005 for between US$900 and US$2300. These batteries were also sold separately for about US$130.
To begin the battery exchange process, you will be asked for the serial number of your iBook G4 or PowerBook G4, the serial number of your battery and a ship to address.
After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you, free of charge. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping packaging and included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple.
If you have recently purchased an extra or replacement battery for any of the computer models noted above or a 12-inch iBook G3, please check the battery's serial number to see if it needs to be exchanged.
Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program.
That is the previous recall....or so it appears. Those batteries were manufactured by LG, not Sony.