Nokia had recently issued a product advisory for the Nokia-branded BL-5C battery which have been manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006. This product advisory does not apply to any other Nokia-branded battery.The manufacturer  has identified that in very rare cases the Nokia-branded BL-5C batteries subject to the product advisory could potentially experience overheating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge. Nokia is working closely with Matsushita and will be cooperating with relevant authorities to investigate this situation.

Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries who have collectively produced more than 300 million BL-5C batteries. This advisory applies only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006, from which there have been approximately 100 incidents of overheating reported globally. No serious injuries or property damage have been reported.

Consumers with a BL-5C battery subject to this advisory should note that all of the approximately 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery. According to Nokia’s knowledge this issue does not affect any other use of the mobile device.

While the occurrences in the BL-5C batteries produced by Matsushita in the time-period specified are very rare, concerned consumers can request a replacement for any BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

It is important to note that the BL-5C battery is not used in all Nokia products and that only a portion of the Nokia BL-5C batteries in use are subject to this advisory.

In order to determine if a battery is subject to this advisory, it is necessary to remove the battery from the device. A Nokia battery will have “Nokia” and “BL-5C” printed on the front of the battery. On the reverse, the Nokia mark appears at the top and the battery identification number (consisting of 26 characters) is found at the bottom. Consumers should refer to this identification number to determine if their battery is among the batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006. A comparison of that number with those subject to this advisory will determine a consumer’s ability to obtain a replacement free of charge.

The BL-5C is one of 14 different battery models used in Nokia products. As with many of its components, Nokia has a multi-supplier strategy for batteries, including the BL-5C. Matsushita is one of several suppliers of Nokia BL-5C battery.

Product Advisory issued by Nokia for its BL-5C battery that has been manufactured by Matsushita. Now Nokia has gone ahead and is providing further help and assistance to its customers in India. The Finnish mobile giant is offering s string of special services such as SMS, helpline and website – in order to help its customers in the country by quick identification of the BL 5C batteries and subsequent replacements, if required.

Nokia phone users, from the comfort of their home itself, can get in touch with Nokia India using one of the following options:

  • SMS BT <26 character battery identification number> and send to 5555
  • Log on to www.nokia.co.in and enter the 26 character battery identification number
  • Call Nokia Care at 30303838 prefixed by the local STD code if dialing from a mobile number or 080 if dialing from a landline and state the 26 character battery identification number.
  • But our personal advice is that instead of panicking unnecessarily first and foremost any Nokia phone user should check if his or her battery has the BL 5C number at all. If yes, then go ahead and verify your batteries status by following any of the above mentioned options. If the answer is positive, then Nokia guarantees that a new free battery will be delivered at the doorstep by courier, in exchange of the old battery.It’s important to note that Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries who have jointly developed over 300 million BL-5C batteries. But the advisory that has been issued only and only applies only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006, from which there have been around100 incidents of overheating reported globally. Luckily, no serious injuries or property damage have been reported.
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