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TOTAL PRODUCT RECALL
CPSC #19029Home & furniture
Ultra-Low NOx Water Heater

A. O. Smith · Recalled

A. O. Smith Recalls Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

Fire & burns

The water heater's gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater's burner can then create excess radiant heat, posing a fire hazard if the water heater is installed directly on a wood or other combustible floor.

Units
About 616,000
Reports
6
Injuries
—
Deaths
0
Price
$500–$1,000
Remedy
Repair

Reports, injuries, deaths and price are read out of the notice’s wording by rules, so they can miss unusual phrasing. The official notice is the record.

Affected

This recall includes 30, 40 and 50 gallon natural or propane gas-fired Ultra-Low NOx emission gas water heaters. They are designed to comply with regulations in certain air quality districts in California, and were sold primarily in California. They were sold under the American, A. O. Smith, Kenmore, Reliance, State, U.S. Craftsmaster and Whirlpool brand names and manufactured from April 8, 2011 through August 1, 2016. Only water heaters with the first four digit serial numbers between 1115 and 1631, where the first four digits represent the year and week of production, are included in the recall. The brand name, model number and serial number can be found on the data plate on the product located next to the gas control valve/thermostat. The brand name is printed near the top of the water heater. Consumers can look up their water heater's serial number to see if it is affected by this recall at www.waterheaterrecall.com.

The file

Sold at
Independent contractors, plumbers, plumbing supply vendors and at various home improvement and hardware stores primarily in California from April 2011 through December 2016 for between $500 and $1,000.
Product type
Not stated
Made in
Mexico, United States
Recalled by
A. O. Smith Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis.

Incident log

A. O. Smith has received six reports of fires occurring from a water heater installed directly on a combustible surface. No injuries have been reported.

What the notice says to do

Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters and contact A. O. Smith to determine if a free repair is necessary.

Consumers should go to www.waterheaterrecall.com, input their model and serial number and complete the form to determine if their water heater is subject to this recall. Consumers with Whirlpool, U.S. Craftmaster or American Water Heater brand water heaters can call toll-free 866-854-2793 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Consumers with Reliance, State, A. O. Smith, and Kenmore brand water heaters can call toll-free 866-880-4661 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for more information.

Open official CPSC notice ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Recall notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This site is independent: always confirm on the official notice before acting.

Sample rating plate

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