Up to 440,000 Vaio notebooks may be affected by the global recall.

Sony has launched a voluntary worldwide recall of its popular Vaio notebook computers due to a potential fire hazard. 

Some reports suggest more than 400,000 Vaio notebooks are to be recalled although the US Consumer Products Safety Commission said in a statement that only 73,000 units will be recalled. 

The recall affects Sony Vaio TZ-series models sold between May 2007 and July 2008, and includes those sold in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Sony Australia spokesperson said that in order for customers to continue to use the product safely, Sony is offering a free of charge inspection and repair service for units covered by the affected serial numbers.

Advice for Australia owners
To determine if TZ series notebooks purchased in Australia may be affected, customers are advised to visit the service notice on Sony Australia’s website: http://www.sony.com.au/articles/article.jsp?articleId=4186&categoryId=34715  

The affected models are:

VGN-TZ1 Series:
VGN-TZ18GN, VGN-TZ17GN, VGN-TZ17LN, VGN-TZ17MN, VGN-TZ17SN, VGN-TZ17TN, VGN-TZ16GN, VGN-TZ16SN, VGN-TZ16TN, VGN-TZ15L 

VGN-TZ2 Series:
VGN-TZ28GN, VGN-TZ28TN, VGN-TZ27GN, VGN-TZ27LN, VGN-TZ27MN, VGN-TZ27TN, VGN-TZ26GN, VGN-TZ26MN, VGN-TZ26TN, VGN-TZ25L 

VGN-TZ3 Series:
VGN-TZ38GN, VGN-TZ37GN, VGN-TZ37LN, VGN-TZ37MN, VGN-TZ37SN, VGN-TZ37TN, VGN-TZ36GN, VGN-TZ36L, VGN-TZ36MN, VGN-TZ36SN, VGN-TZ36TN

Details of local Sony service centres are also located Sony’s website, where the free inspection service can be arranged.
Sony received 15 reports of overheating, including one of a consumer who suffered a minor burn, according to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission. 

No fires have been caused by the fault, Sony said, and affected laptops can be inspected free of charge at a Sony service centre.
In 2006, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, Toshiba and some other PC makers recalled more than 8 million Sony batteries.