PowerBook G4/iBook battery recall (#3): Replacement may take a month or more; Serial number ranges now exclude some models; more

We continue to report on Apple's massive recall of portable batteries manufactured by Sony, and the confusion caused by initially vague serial number ranges.

UPDATE: Replacement may take a month or more Users who are being notified that their batteries qualify for replacement are also receiving another notice: that the replacement batteries will take between 4 and 6 weeks to ship.

Fortunately, Apple is shipping the replacement batteries to customers first, with a requirement that the old (recalled) battery be shipped back after receipt. This means that there will be no downtime (sans battery) for users.

Serial number ranges updated to exclude some models After last week's confusion regarding Apple's online battery replacement mechanism -- with users who have valid serial numbers and battery model numbers receiving rejection notices from the system (indicating that their batteries are not eligible for the recall) -- Apple has updated its Web site to exclude battery models ending in certain numbers. 

The official list is now as follows:

12-inch iBook G4, Battery model A1061

• ZZ338 - ZZ427
• 3K429 - 3K611
• 6C519 - 6C552 ending with S9WA, S9WC or S9WD

12-inch PowerBook G4, Battery model A1079

• ZZ411 - ZZ427
• 3K428 - 3K611

15-inch PowerBook G4, Battery models A1078 and A1148

• 3K425 - 3K601
• 6N530 - 6N551 ending with THTA, THTB, or THTC
• 6N601 ending with THTC

MacFixIt reader Edmund Pirali writes:

"My two batteries were being rejected as described before, and finally I noticed that mine had a suffix that is excluded. I believe this may have been the cause of the confusion, along with the very badly worded 'invalid or does not qualify' message. At least in my case the batteries fell in this serial number range, but did not end with these codes."

Mary Jo DeMorrow adds: "I put in 27 battery serial numbers in the range for the recall but only got 8 notices of acceptance. I didn't know why until yesterday when I looked Apple support site and noticed the serial number ranges have been amended to only include serial numbers ranges ending with specific 4 digits for both the 6C519, 6N530 and 6N601 batteries."

Make sure to enter entire serial number Some readers were confused by Apple's replacement Web page, which lists only a portion of the serial number. Note that the entire serial number must be entered in order to receive a valid response.

MacFixIt reader Chuck Naughton writes:

"I too experienced problems with the web recall procedure for my 15" G4. Computer serial OK, my two batteries seemed to fall within the proper range.

"But I finally got it right when I realized that the entire 12 digit battery serial number must be entered. If one just referenced Apple's table, it would have appeared that only the first 5 letters/numbers need be entered. But not true. But if you read the text above the table, it does state the 12-digit number is necessary."

Call just in case Meanwhile, we are receiving a few reports from readers whose serial numbers were rejected online, but accepted through Apple's phone-support system.

MacFixIt reader Jeff Shaw writes:

"I was also getting a 'rejected' notice for my Powerbook G4 battery, whose serial number was within the posted range. It took a few calls to get through to Apple customer support, but once I did, they went ahead with the exchange, no questions asked."

The U.S. support number is 1-800-275-2273, with other countries listed here.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• PowerBook G4/iBook battery recall (#2): Some iBook G3s also eligible; continuing problems with serial number, date ranges
• Apple announces recall of 1.8 million PowerBook G4, iBook batteries; Recall system not working for some; Serial number range discrepancies

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