LG Energy Solution Battery Recall: A Never-Ending Story?

It’s now 4 years since LG Energy Solution (LGES) first triggered a recall for some of its solar batteries and battery packs. And it ain’t over yet.

In December 2020, the company issued a voluntary recall in the USA after receiving a number of reports of fires resulting in minor property damage. Then in late February 2021, the Australian arm of the firm published a recall notice for various LG Chem RESU models and battery packs with nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cells.¹ from specific production lots.

What was initially thought to be an issue affecting hundreds of units was expanded to include thousands; including several other brands using LG battery packs.

Through authorised partners, LG Energy Solution was replacing batteries in some cases and providing diagnostic software in others to identify and shut down systems at risk of overheating. But after an overheating incident in a battery that had diagnostic software, the company began instructing owners to switch off their batteries while they investigated the situation.

In a nutshell, the recall seemed to have been a bit of a dog’s breakfast, which saw the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) apply some pressure. LG Energy Solution offered to make “significant additional commitments” through a court-enforceable undertaking with the ACCC last year, and there was a noticeable uptick in recall advertising soon after.

LGES Battery Recall Current Status

When we last reported on the situation in May 2024, 4,400 affected batteries were yet to be located. So, where are things at now in terms of Australia?

LG Energy Solution has been posting figures on their Australian recall page from time to time over the last 6 months or so. They were updated again last week, with figures current as at December 16, 2024. They indicate:

Replacement Recall Progress

Recall notice – PRA 2020/18529

• Total number of affected batteries: 7,929
• The number of rectified affected batteries: 6,620
• The number of unrectified affected batteries: 1,309 (1,453 on October 14, 2024)
• The total number of affected batteries whose location LGES is aware of but remain unrectified: 69 (133 on October 14, 2024)

Diagnostic Software Recall

Recall notice – PRA 2022/19550

• Total number of affected batteries: 10,209
• The number of rectified affected batteries: 8,082
• The number of unrectified affected batteries: 2,127 (2,314 on October 14, 2024)
• The total number of affected batteries whose location LGES is aware of but remain unrectified: 183 (244 on October 14, 2024)
• The number of affected batteries that were subjected to a forced switch off: 92

With a bunch of batteries still needing attention, the sense of urgency shouldn’t be lost. If you know someone who has an LG home battery – or one of the models from other brands listed on the recall pages – let them know. That household’s property or even lives could depend on you doing so.

Are Solar Batteries Generally Safe?

The LG battery recall situation aside, good quality home batteries installed correctly have proven to be safe thus far – and there are plenty of them out there now. According to a Clean Energy Council report from last year, the cumulative total installed in Australia exceeded 140,000 in the second quarter of 2024.

The vast majority of the lithium-ion battery fires in Australia have been associated with devices such as escooters and ebikes (often in connection to dodgy aftermarket chargers), and improper disposal of batteries.

Something I noticed over the last 12 months was a marked increase in disposable vapes just dumped wherever. I found a damaged battery pulled out of one, and it still had significant charge – so it went into a burn bag stashed in a safe place outside until I could take it to a designated drop-off point – and I was very glad to be rid of it.