Dell is issuing the voluntary recall of approximately 4.1 million Dell-branded lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony. The company says that under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could cause a risk of fire.

The recalled batteries were sold with the following Dell notebook computers: Dell Latitude D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, D810; Inspiron 6000, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 500m, 510m, 600m, 6400, E1505, 700m, 710m, 9400, E1705; and Dell Precision M20, M60, M70 and M90 mobile workstations; and XPS, XPS Gen2, XPS M170 and XPS M1710.

The batteries were also sold separately, including in response to service calls. "Dell" and one of the following are printed on the batteries: "Made in Japan" or "Made in China" or "Battery Cell Made in Japan Assembled in China." The identification number for each battery appears on a white sticker. Customers should have this number available when they contact Dell to determine if their battery is part of the recall.

Dell sold or provided these batteries with the notebook computers, as part of a service replacement, and as individual units from 1 April 2004, through 18 July 2006.

Customers should contact Dell to determine if their notebook computer battery is part of this recall. As a precaution, customers may continue to use the notebook computers by turning the system off, ejecting the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.