Nikon Recalls Rechargeable Battery Packs Sold with Digital SLR Cameras

recall, Nikon, digital SLR camera
(Image credit: CPSC.)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation Nikon Inc., of Melville, N.Y., announced a voluntary recall of about 5,100 Nikon digital SLR camera battery packs in the United States, 1,100 in Canada and an additional 195,000 worldwide.

Hazard: The battery packs can short circuit, causing them to overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Nikon has received seven reports of incidents outside of the U.S. and Canada of the recalled battery packs overheating. No incidents have been reported in the U.S. or Canada. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Nikon EN-EL 15 rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs with lot numbers E and F. The battery pack was sold with the Nikon digital SLR D800 and D7000 model cameras. The battery pack's model number "EN-EL15" and "7.0V 1900mAh 14Wh" are printed on the back of the battery pack. Only battery packs with an "E" or "F" in ninth character of the 14-digit lot number located on the back of the battery pack are included in this recall.

Sold at: Camera, office supply and mass merchandise stores, in catalogs and on various websites nationwide. They were sold with the digital SLR camera in Canada from February 2012 through March 2012 and in the U.S. from March 2012 through April 2012 for between $1,200 and $3,000.

Manufactured in: Japan and China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled battery packs immediately, remove them from the camera and contact Nikon for a free replacement battery pack.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Nikon at (800) 645-6687 between 8 a.m. through 12 midnight ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.nikonusa.com.

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1644.

Live Science Staff
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