Sony Recalling VAIO TZ Laptops Due to Overheating
Update: And here we have it, the official statement of voluntary recall for the US. 73,000 VAIO TZs -- VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series sold between July 2007 and August 2008 -- are affected after 15 reports of overheating resulting in one consumer who suffered a minor burn. Full notice after the break.
Update 2: UK recalled as well. Apparently, more than 200 laptops globally have overheated resulting in seven people suffering "light burns." The recall amounts to about 440,000 laptops.
[Via Impress, thanks BigDaddyM and Chris W.]
Sony Recalls Notebook Computers Due to Burn Hazard
WASHINGTON, Sep. 4, 2008 (PRNewswire-USNewswire delivered by Newstex) -- 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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO )Name of Product: Certain VAIO TZ-series Notebook ComputersUnits: About 73,000Manufacturer: Sony Electronics Inc., of San Diego, Calif.
Hazard: Irregularly positioned wires near the computer's hinge and/or a dislodged screw inside the hinge can cause a short circuit and overheating. This poses a burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Sony has received 15 reports of overheating, including one consumer who suffered a minor burn.
Description: The recalled notebook computer models are the VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series. The computers' screen size is about 11.1" measured diagonally. Not all units are affected; consumers should contact Sony to determine if their unit is included in the recall.
Sold by: The SonyStyle stores and Web site, authorized electronics retailers, and authorized business-to-business dealers nationwide from July 2007 through August 2008 for between $1,700 and $4,000.
Manufactured in: Japan and United States
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled notebook computers immediately and contact Sony to determine if their notebook is affected. The firm will arrange for an inspection and repair, if needed.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Sony toll-free at (888) 526-6219 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at http://www.sony.com/support.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Karen said 4:41PM on 9-04-2008
We just purchased that computer from WalMart in Granbury Texas Sat. Aug. 30, 2008. He complained about it getting really hot Sunday after using it in class. Then Thursday Sept. 4th he had to go exchange it at a WalMart in Fort Worth Texas. He is fixing to go work Insurance claims for the hurricane hit areas. What should he do???
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Gerard Haughey said 7:56PM on 9-04-2008
All you have to do is purchase one of the millions of 'chill-mats' available online and in-stores.. the chill-mat goes under the laptop you plug in the usb wire to the side of the laptop and whalla!! Fans spin underneath the laptop drawing the heat away from the computer and out into the air away from damaging the pc via over-heating. I've use chill-mats now for years already. Every laptop gets hot it's inevitable. I've been repairing computers for years and years and they all get hot to some degree (no pun intended). Check amazon.com or ebay they're all over the place and Overstock too!
Albert said 8:51PM on 9-04-2008
Buy a Dell it's easy as Dell
John Dean said 4:00PM on 9-04-2008
What a suprize, they are actually going to fix them? FREE?
WoW, my Gateway piece of crap could not be returned, let alone fixed, and it is nothing but crap, I have never had to renew McAffee safety on my computer, but on this one, had to after 3 months, and then they want it every 6 months, and Gateway will not even return calls.
All computer are outdated once on the shelf as we all know.
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TakingBackAmerica said 4:52PM on 9-04-2008
I have a new Toshiba Satalite...and thing thing gets so hot. I bought a double fan notebook cooler and I still have to use a small fan to help keep it cool. This is rediculous.
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amy said 12:29PM on 9-05-2008
hey, ive got the toshiba satellite also...piece of junk, overheats like crazy and then the fan goes on, gets really lous and the screen freezes. i took this to get fixed twice...never fixed the problem. this crap laptop gets so damn hot, even w the fan cooler i bought.
FRED said 5:44PM on 9-04-2008
DON'T SEND YOUR COMPUTER BACK. THIS IS A SCAM. THEY JUST WANT TO GET YOUR PERSONAL INFO!!
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Givra said 6:51PM on 9-04-2008
To FRED, post #4: Uh-huh. Let me ask you this, is that tinfoil hat on your head nice and comfy? I wouldn't want those evil mind control lasers to melt your brain. Well, melt it any worse then it is now. :P
I think Sony has MUCH better things to do then steal personal data off of people's laptops. Using your "logic", car companies only issue car recalls so they can copy your car keys and steal your car. :P Please, assuming you didn't post this just to get a reply (which well you did, I hope you feel SO much better now if this is the case), I do think you're a WEE bit paranoid there, "FRED".
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Gerard Haughey said 8:01PM on 9-04-2008
LOL, sounds like you might have to install an air-conditioner on that.. haha
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Gerard Haughey said 8:03PM on 9-04-2008
Hey Fred I have a family member like you, so paranoid.. he won't take meds either.. :( Trust me Fred, the world is not as smart a place you give it credit for.. I say that all the time to my cousin but he won't listen.. and I'm sure you won't either Fred.. So go on and burn the midnight oil in your brain.. for nothing?
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gmm362 said 7:55AM on 9-05-2008
Buy HP........ No problems like that with my HP. Sony advancing to quickly? and forgeting to keep systems cool... Not a good sign !
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Greg said 9:04AM on 9-05-2008
Sony removed the "contact us" from their website years ago. They don't stand behind their products. Once these people send in their laptops, they've lost all of their data to Sony and will never see another laptop or one cent of their money back. Every product I used to buy from Sony was nothing but junk and very expensive junk at that! When are people going to learn not to buy Sony products? I have no sympathy for these people.
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csummers1968 said 9:43AM on 9-05-2008
Hummmm.... got a Mac , no heat problem here .Just a little warm , feels good on my lap on chilly mornings . You get what you pay for .
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tekkii said 9:59AM on 9-05-2008
HP Pavilion is the only way to go !
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Kurt said 10:39AM on 9-05-2008
all ya really need to do is mount a pocket rocket to your laptop and you will sassify all yo womens heat hmmmmmmmmm vibrations hmmmmmmmmmm heat and vibration oh oooh ooooohhh
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Den said 10:47AM on 9-05-2008
Gerard Haughey: Just buying a cooler would not be a good idea of the overheating is caused by a unknown problem!!! Best get it fixed......
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Lois said 10:56AM on 9-05-2008
I have a Sony Viao and LOVE it,,, Yes, it gets a little warm but so do a lot of others. I use a cooling pad under the laptop and , what a wonderful surprise,, no heat. Don't think they would sell pads just for the Sony laptop,, I also have Sony Digital camera and WOW fantastic....
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WhyNo said 8:38PM on 9-15-2008
I just had TWO HP ZD 7000 series laptops picked up, FedExed and returned, rebuilt free.
This is not a perfect world. HP had to respond to a class action suit, but they did it swiftly and professionally.
You pays your money; you takes your chances.
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