Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptops recalled over potential fire hazard

Lenovo in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and in the interests of public safety, is voluntarily recalling some ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Generation laptops. The company has determined that a limited number of such laptops may have an unfastened screw that could damage the laptop's battery causing overheating, potentially posing a fire hazard.

"The problem was discovered several weeks ago. After completing the appropriate investigation, we voluntarily contacted the CPSC and have cooperated fully with their guidelines and recommendations," the company has said. "Lenovo's investigation and analysis determined that an unfastened, small screw, left in the unit during manufacture, could damage the surface of the lithium-ion polymer battery and cause a short, leading to rapid cell discharge of the battery. This defect has led to three failures in the field. Lenovo has not received any reports of a fire."

While this seems to be a pressing concern, Lenovo has stated that it will offer a free service inspection program for all affected ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Generation laptops. "Lenovo is inspecting, and repairing if necessary, all affected systems free-of-charge," the company has said.

However according to reports that are coming in, around 83,500 laptops have been affected. Further, the Lenovo laptops that are affected have reportedly been manufactured between December 2016 and October 2017. However, ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Generation laptops built on or after November 1, 2017, are not affected the company has confirmed.

The company has also listed all the models that have been affected by the issue and the machine types mentioned by the company include 20HQ, 20HR, 20K3, 20K4. Besides, users can visit Lenovo's website to check and confirm if their laptop is affected or not. The company has also provided details on where to get service along with phone numbers of the technical support representative.

The company has also stated, "Lenovo received three customer reports worldwide of an overheat condition related to an unfastened screw which resulted in damage to the customer's laptops. Lenovo has received no reports of damage to persons or property, other than to the laptop PCs."

Lenovo K8 Note First Impressions

According to US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports the recall has been issued for "14-inch ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Generation laptops. They were sold in silver and black." The commission has noted that around 78,000 laptops have been affected by the recall in the U.S. and an additional 5,500 in Canada. It, however, added that there have been no reports of overheating in the United States.

Lenovo has added that they regret any inconvenience caused due to the recall and that it values its customers the most.