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.
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.
Recall Details
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.
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.
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.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our email alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
- Contact a media specialist.