LG battery blowups

If you didn't already have enough reason to junk that old phone, Verizon Wireless has begun a 50,000 unit recall of LG TM510 batteries (phone pictured right), which have had 18 recent incidents including batteries that exploded and burned one user, and started a fire in another user's car.  Recalled batteries are labeled with codes "AEMLLL 02220," AEMMHH 02220," "AEMLLL 02X25H" or "AEMMHH 02725".  Also, according to the government, the use of non-LG chargers with these batteries increases the risk of overcharging and subsequently, explosion (we're skeptical, but we'll take their word for it).  This is one handset we won't recommend just popping in that cell phone donations bin.

[Via DesignTechnica]

[Patrick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

A slight correction. The recall only applies to the batteries, not the handsets as you indicated. None of the batteries sold were sold with the handsets. The recalled batteries were all sold seperately.

[Ryan Block @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Thanks for the correction--this is indeed not a handset recall, but a battery recall. I'll make the change.

[chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

yeah, it's just the battery that's being recalled, but take it from me, the handset was a piece of shit. i had one of these for two years. I just upgraded to a Samsung and it's 1000% better. I'll never buy another LG phone again.