• Certain East Penn Group 48(H6) Flooded Lead Automotive Starter Battery F3F-48BB, 648MF products that were manufactured on 2 specific dates.
• Inclusive Dates of Manufacture (month and year): 2/28/23 (30592OPE) and 3/2/23 (30612OPE)
• The corresponding SHIP DATE CODE stickers on the battery must be one of these:

• See QR Code to assist in identification.
• Branded as:
  • Action, Alliance (ABP A648MF), Armada (DB680-48), Astro-Lite (48-2), Bosch (S4-48), Cartek (AMP-48-775), Coldfire USA, Co-op (48-2), DEKA, Delphi (BU6048), Detroit (EPM D648MFE), Duracell (HP48), Duracell Ultra (SLI48H6), Durastart (48-2), Federated (48-775), Fleetrite (FEP648MF), HD Gold, Hi-Tech, Komatsu (EPM648MF), Mack (M648MF), Magna Power, Mighty (48EX), NAPA Legend (7548), North State, Parts Plus (48G), Point S, Roadhawk, Safemark (6-48), Sparton, Traction (48-700), TRP (BT48P71EXCH), Volvo (V648MF), World Source One (48MF).
  • If the BRAND above is listed in RED FONT, then the battery is branded DEKA. If is listed in BLACK FONT, then the branded part number appears in parentheses.

• The potential defect at issue involves an incomplete electrical connection between the internal battery cell and the external terminal. This condition could be present in both or one of the terminals in the battery. This is an internal defect, not an external or visual defect. The defect can only be identified by a destructive product analysis and would not be obvious visually to the retailer or the end user. The risk is a potential breach of the battery or failure to start vehicle. If the owner of the battery does not adhere to the labeling on the affected battery, then there is a possibility that the person handling the battery could suffer acid burns from the acid leaving the breached battery. Breach can only happen if the battery is in a charged condition, the electrical connection is broken, and an electrical spark occurs. There is no reason to be concerned about an electrical fire in connection with this potential defect.

• There would not be any true warning signs that would precede the defect/noncompliant condition.

Please call our help center at any time.  That toll free number is 877-597-9588.  Our agents are there to assist the end user, professional installer, retailer, or wholesaler with executing this recall.

1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Remove the key from the ignition.
3. Unlatch the hood of the vehicle.
4. Close all doors including the trunk.
5. Wait a minimum of 15 minutes.
6. Do not use a Battery Saver
7. Use proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) (Face Shield, Safety Glasses, Ear Plugs, Leather Gloves (preferred), plastic gloves).
8. Wet a cloth rag big enough to cover the entire top of the battery.
9. Raise the hood of the vehicle.
10. Place the wet rag over top of the battery leaving the negative terminal post exposed.
11. Remove the cable from the negative terminal.
12. Finish removing the battery using normal battery replacement procedures.
13. Place the removed battery on a skid for return to East Penn.
14. Install new battery in vehicle.

• East Penn uses a production code for battery traceability. The production code is located on the back of the battery towards the top. See illustration below for location. The QR Code provided will give instructions to the Professional Installer on how to use this production code to determine if the battery is covered by the recall.

FIRST:
Identify the batteries with part number specified above.

SECOND:
Evaluate this battery part number for product bearing the following ship date codes (indicating the month and date shipped from East Penn Manufacturing):

• Date code: 3/23 (March of 2023)
• Date code: 4/23 (April of 2023)
• Date code: 5/23 (May of 2023)
• Date code: 6/23 (June of 2023)

You can find the date codes on the side of the battery. Once you find the batteries with the date codes above, you will need to follow the next step to determine if they qualify for this recall.

THIRD:
East Penn uses a production code for battery traceability. The production code is
located on the back of the battery towards the top. See illustration for location.

If the battery has either one of the following two production codes, it qualifies

as a battery covered under the recall.

• 30612OPE, 30592OPE

NOTE:  If it DOES NOT have these production codes, no action needs to be taken as they are not affected by this recall.

NOTE:  If it DOES have either of these production codes, replace battery and hold onto recalled battery for disposition as outlined in #9 below.  Do not charge, install, sell, or put recalled battery back into use for any reason. Isolate the battery immediately and follow the instructions for having East Penn reclaim the battery.

• A QR code is a type of two-dimensional matrix barcode originally designed for labelling automobile parts. A barcode is a machine-readable optical image that contains information specific to the labelled item.
• QR codes can store a wide range of information, including text, URLs, contact information, images, and videos.

• You can scan a QR code by opening your device’s camera or a third-party scanner app.
• Hold your smartphone steady for 2–4 seconds toward the QR Code you want to scan and click on the notification to access the content of the QR Code

• Please call our help center at any time. That toll free number is 877-597-9588.  Our agents are there to assist the end user, professional installer, retailer, or wholesaler with executing this recall. We want to make this process as easy as possible.

• A) Customer at our one of our SHIP TO locations has a qualifying battery in their inventory or has one returned to them resulting from this recall:
  • Notify your East Penn salesperson or customer support for immediate disposition of product. East Penn field representative goes to location within 5 working days and exercises retrieval plan from 6/2023.
  • Credit issued via CREDIT MEMO procedure enacted in 6/2023.

• B) Customer of one of our SHIP TO locations has a qualifying battery in their inventory or has one returned to them resulting from this recall:
  • Notify the location you originally received the qualifying battery from; this should be an original East Penn Customer SHIP TO location.
  • Request they retrieve during next delivery.
  • East Penn SHIP TO location credits their customer accordingly.
  • East Penn SHIP TO location to notify their East Penn salesperson or customer support for immediate disposition of product. East Penn field representative goes to location within 5 working days and exercises retrieval plan from 6/2023.
  • Credit issued via CREDIT MEMO procedure enacted in 6/2023.

• C) End User has a qualifying battery in their vehicle:
  • Make an appointment to go back to where the battery was originally installed.
  • If that is not a viable option, schedule an appointment with a Professional Installer of your choice.
  • If you cannot find an available Professional Installer, inquire with the place where you purchased the battery, and they will recommend one for you.
  • Show the Professional Installer this recall letter. Request they scan the QR Code or call our help center at 877-597-9588 for directions on how to properly inspect and possibly replace the battery as well as receive their reimbursement. There will be no charge to you for this repair.
  • DO NOT INSPECT THE BATTERY OR REPLACE IT ON YOUR OWN. Schedule an appointment with a Professional Installer of your choice or go back to the place you purchased the battery, and they will recommend one for you. A Professional Installer will perform the proper inspection and replacement (if needed) at no cost to you.
  • After following the above instructions, if you are still experiencing difficulties with having a Professional Installer inspect and replace (if needed) the recalled battery, please call our toll-free help center at 877-597-9588 for more assistance.

• D) An East Penn SHIP TO location has shipped the qualifying battery or batteries out of the country. The destination has been notified and qualifying batteries Identified:
  • The product life cycle in these cases is typically not circular but rather linear making the retrieval of qualifying batteries not practical.
  • These were to have been captured in the June 2023 exercise. If additional qualifying batteries need disposition, the East Penn SHIP TO location is to work through their East Penn salesperson, customer support contact or other primary point of contact for purposes of identifying, count, destroy in field instructions and proper affirmation of credits due.

Reimbursement Procedures for NHSTA Recall No. 23E-044

East Penn Manufacturing Group 48 Battery

THE BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE:

• • IF YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER scan the Safe Handing Instructions QR Code and follow the instructions. If unable to scan the code, you may also call our toll-free help center at 877-597-9588 for further instructions on replacing the battery. The Professional Installer will be reimbursed by East Penn for the cost of all goods and services related to the execution of the recall.
  • How will I, the PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER, be reimbursed for the new battery I installed in replacement of the qualified recalled battery?
  • Once the appointment is met, battery identified as a battery that qualifies for recall and replacement is complete gather all supporting documentation including your completed invoice typically given to the vehicle owner including the year, make and model of the vehicle, the date code pin stamped on the side of the battery and the 2 digit SHIP DATE CODE as detailed within the Safe Handling Instructions, along with a photo of the pin stamp (where applicable).  The Invoice would include a technician’s time to inspect and identify the qualified battery, replacement cost of battery (with part number of battery installed by Professional Installer to include a core charge cost) customary labor rate and any required charges needed to ensure the installation is professionally completed properly and safely.

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to include the name and specific mailing address of the business the check is to be made out to.  This is critical as we would not have that information on file.  Failure to do so can create a delay in or preclude us from releasing your check.

This information is to be sent to Mary Sell at East Penn Customer Support in the most convenient method by the Professional Installer:

USPS:      Mary Sell                                                    Email:    msell@dekabatteries.com

East Penn Customer Support

403 N. Main Street

Topton Pa 19562                                       Fax:        610-682-4781

• The Professional Installer’s check will be sent within 10 working days from receipt of all necessary documentation.
• IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER refer the Customer to one of your recommended Professional Installers. The End User should show the Professional Installer this Recall Letter and ask them to follow the instructions listed above.

IF THE BATTERY IS NOT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE

1. • Scan the Safe Handling Instructions QR Code for information about battery inspection and If unable to scan the code, you may also call our toll-free help center at 877-597-9588 for further instructions on replacing the battery. As an East Penn customer, we will credit your account for the cost of the battery at the prevailing price within your current price schedule.
   • Once the battery is identified as a battery that qualifies for recall and replacement, please gather all supporting documentation including your completed invoice typically given to the vehicle owner for the purchase of the battery including the year, make and model of vehicle, the date code pin stamped on the side of the battery and the 2-digit SHIP DATE CODE as detailed within the
   • Safe Handling Instructions, and a photo of the pin stamp (where applicable).
   • To expedite your credit, include your business’ full name, address, and East Penn Account number.  This will help avoid a delay in accessing your account to issue the credit.
   • Please send this information to Mary Sell at East Penn Customer Support in the most convenient method by the Professional Installer:

USPS:    Mary Sell                                                      Email:    msell@dekabatteries.com

East Penn Customer Support

403 N. Main Street

Topton Pa 19562                                         Fax:        610-682-4781

The Credit Due on your account will be posted as a credit memo within 10 working days from receipt of all necessary documentation.

If you have had an East Penn Group 48 Flooded Lead Battery warrantied in the past 6 months, the product would have fallen under its Free Replacement Period and such warranty covered free of charge.

If you are requested to perform an inspection as a PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER and find the battery did not qualify as it did not have one of the four SPECIFIC SHIP DATE CODES

along with one of the two SPECIFIC PIN STAMPS (30612OPE, 30592OPE) you can still be reimbursed for your time.  Please gather all supporting documentation including the year, make and model of vehicle, the date code pin stamped on the side of the battery and the 2-digit SHIP DATE CODE as detailed within the Safe Handling Instructions, and a photo of the pin stamp (where applicable).

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to include the name and specific mailing address of the business the check is to be made out to.  This is critical as we would not have that information on file.  Failure to do so can create a delay in or preclude us from releasing your check.

This information is to be sent to Mary Sell at East Penn Customer Support in the most convenient method by the Professional Installer:

USPS:      Mary Sell                                                    Email:    msell@dekabatteries.com

East Penn Customer Support

403 N. Main Street

Topton Pa 19562                                       Fax:        610-682-4781

The Professional Installer’s check will be sent within 10 working days from receipt of all necessary documentation.