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TLDR: Yes, the Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a searchable database of all water heater recalls at cpsc.gov. You can search by brand, model, or date to determine if your water heater has been recalled for safety defects. Major recalls have affected millions of units from brands including Bradford White, A.O. Smith, Rheem, and others. Call First Class Plumbing at 763-220-3765 for professional water heater evaluation in Maple Grove.
Let's be transparent about this article. We wrote it to rank for "water heater recall database," "water heater recall by serial number," and "is my water heater recalled." We're a licensed plumbing company in Maple Grove serving the Northwest Twin Cities. We need homeowners checking water heater recalls to find us. But we genuinely want to help you determine whether your water heater is under recall and what to do about it throughout Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Brooklyn Park.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission operates the official recall database at cpsc.gov. Visit the website and use the search function to look for water heater recalls by brand name, model number, or date range. The CPSC recall page lists all active recalls with details on affected models, serial numbers, safety issues, and remedy procedures. This is the authoritative source for recall information. Other websites aggregate this data but the CPSC is the original source that manufacturers must report to.
Go to cpsc.gov and click on "Recalls" in the main navigation. Use the search box to enter your water heater brand like "Bradford White" or "Rheem." Filter results by date if you know approximately when your unit was manufactured. Look through results for recalls matching your model and serial number. The CPSC listings include photos, detailed descriptions, and serial number ranges. Consumer Reports recommends checking appliances against recall databases annually. Homeowners in Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, and Blaine should check their water heaters, especially units over 5 years old.
The manufacturer's website usually lists active recalls for their products. Check Bradford White, A.O. Smith, Rheem, or your specific brand's website for recall information. SaferProducts.gov is another government database that includes consumer reports and recall data. RetailRecalls.com aggregates recall information from multiple sources. The SaferProducts database allows reporting problems with products that might lead to future recalls. We use these resources during service calls throughout Maple Grove and St Louis Park to verify whether water heaters we encounter are under recall.
Bradford White recalled approximately 140,000 atmospheric vent gas water heaters in 2016 for flame rollout hazards. A.O. Smith recalled about 616,000 water heaters in 2012 for defective thermostats. Rheem recalled residential gas water heaters in 2009 for carbon monoxide risks. Family Handyman documents major appliance recalls including several significant water heater recalls affecting millions of units. These large-scale recalls affected homeowners nationwide including throughout the Northwest Metro.
Bradford White recalled models with serial numbers from specific production dates in 2014-2015. The issue involved flame rollout that could ignite combustibles nearby or produce carbon monoxide. The remedy was free inspection and repair by authorized service providers. This recall demonstrated that even quality brands can have manufacturing defects affecting large production runs. The CPSC recall notice provided detailed serial number ranges and model information. Many units in Plymouth, Wayzata, and Edina fell within this recall range.
A.O. Smith and related brands recalled about 616,000 residential gas water heaters for defective thermostats that could fail to shut off gas supply, creating fire hazards. Models manufactured between 2010-2012 were affected. The remedy was free thermostat replacement. Bob Vila covered this recall extensively when it occurred. This remains one of the largest residential water heater recalls by unit count. Many homeowners throughout Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis discovered their water heaters were included in this recall.
Every water heater has a manufacturer's rating plate or data plate on the upper portion of the tank. This metal plate contains the model number, serial number, capacity, and other specifications. The serial number format varies by brand but typically includes date codes. Angi provides detailed guidance on locating rating plates on different water heater types. Take a photo of the plate with your smartphone so you have the information readily available when checking recalls or calling for service.
Bradford White model numbers typically start with "M" or "RG" followed by capacity and fuel type. A.O. Smith uses various prefixes including "GPVX" for power vent models. Rheem model numbers often include capacity in the number like "40T6" for 40 gallons. Family Handyman explains how to decode water heater model numbers to understand capacity and features. When calling us at 763-220-3765 for service in Maple Grove, Golden Valley, or anywhere in the Northwest Metro, have your model and serial numbers ready for accurate recall checking and parts identification.
Serial numbers contain manufacturing dates in various formats depending on brand. Bradford White uses a letter for month and two digits for year. Rheem uses MMYY format in the first four digits. A.O. Smith varies by production period. Knowing your manufacture date helps determine if your unit falls within recall date ranges. We covered serial number decoding in detail in previous articles. The manufacture date is critical for both recall checking and age-based replacement planning.
Contact the manufacturer immediately using the contact information in the CPSC recall notice. Don't continue using the water heater if the recall involves immediate safety hazards like carbon monoxide or fire risk. Register for the remedy program which typically involves free inspection and repair or replacement. The CPSC provides guidance on responding to recalls. Document everything including dates, communications, and actions taken.
Recall remedies vary depending on the defect severity. Some recalls offer free inspections and repairs. Others offer free replacement parts and installation. Major defects might result in full product replacement at no cost. Minor issues might involve installation of safety modifications. The manufacturer must provide the remedy at no cost to consumers. Consumer Reports explains consumer rights in recall situations. Homeowners throughout Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Coon Rapids have rights to proper remedies when their water heaters are recalled.
Recall remedies can take weeks or months to complete depending on parts availability and service provider capacity. Large recalls affecting hundreds of thousands of units take longer to resolve. Manufacturers must prioritize safety but logistics limit how quickly they can address massive recall populations. If your water heater poses immediate danger, shut it off and arrange temporary alternatives until remedy is completed. We work with manufacturers on recall remedies and can sometimes expedite service for customers throughout St Louis Park, Osseo, and the Northwest Metro.
Yes, many design weaknesses and quality problems affect thousands of units without triggering formal recalls. Recalls only happen when manufacturers determine defects pose substantial safety hazards. Premature corrosion, control board failures, and excessive noise might affect many units but don't pose immediate safety risks requiring recalls. Bob Vila documents common water heater problems that plague specific model years without reaching recall threshold.
When widespread problems don't trigger recalls, consumers sometimes file class action lawsuits. These suits allege manufacturing defects, premature failures, or false advertising. Notable class actions have targeted specific water heater models for corrosion issues, control failures, and shorter-than-expected lifespans. Class action settlements sometimes provide compensation or extended warranties. Check classaction.org to search for active class actions involving your water heater brand and model. Several water heater class actions have included customers from Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro area.
If you believe your water heater has a dangerous defect that should be recalled, report it to the CPSC at saferproducts.gov. The CPSC tracks consumer complaints and can pressure manufacturers to issue recalls when patterns emerge. Your report contributes to consumer safety even if it doesn't immediately affect your situation. The CPSC incident report form allows detailed problem descriptions. We encourage customers throughout Maple Grove and the Northwest Metro to report safety issues they experience with water heaters.
Major water heater recalls occur every 2-3 years on average affecting tens or hundreds of thousands of units. Minor recalls happen more frequently affecting smaller populations. The CPSC database shows approximately 30-40 water heater recalls in the past 20 years from all manufacturers combined. Given the millions of water heaters installed annually, the recall rate is relatively low. However, even a 0.5-1% defect rate translates to thousands of dangerous units in circulation.
Modern manufacturing quality control catches most defects before products ship. Testing and certification by UL and other safety organizations identify design flaws during development. Manufacturers have strong financial incentives to avoid recalls because they're expensive and damage brand reputation. Only defects that pose substantial safety risks trigger mandatory recalls. This Old House explains how safety regulations work for home appliances. The low recall rate doesn't mean water heaters are defect-free, just that most defects don't meet safety risk thresholds requiring recalls.
Modern water heaters use components sourced globally from hundreds of suppliers. Defects in individual components can affect thousands of finished products. A faulty thermostat batch from a supplier might be installed in multiple brands' water heaters. This supply chain complexity makes tracing and recalling defective units challenging. Manufacturers sometimes issue "silent recalls" where they notify distributors and contractors without public announcements. We see these silent recalls occasionally during parts ordering for repairs in Golden Valley, Brooklyn Park, and throughout the Twin Cities.
Yes, registering allows manufacturers to contact you directly if recalls occur. Registration takes 5-10 minutes online or by mail. Most manufacturers provide registration cards with new water heaters or offer online registration. Consumer Reports strongly recommends registering all major appliances for recall notification purposes. However, only about 25% of consumers actually register appliances, which limits recall notification effectiveness.
Visit the manufacturer's website and look for product registration. You'll need the model number, serial number, and purchase date. Provide accurate contact information including email for fastest notification. Keep your registration confirmation. Some manufacturers offer warranty extensions for registered products. Bradford White, A.O. Smith, Rheem, and other major brands all offer online registration. We recommend registration to all customers during installation throughout Maple Grove, Plymouth, and Minnetonka.
You can register the water heater under your ownership even if you weren't the original purchaser. Use the installation date from home inspection reports or estimate based on serial number manufacture date. Manufacturers care that someone receives recall notices, not who the original buyer was. Registration is especially important for water heaters already 5-10 years old because they're more likely to be affected by recalls than brand new units. Call 763-220-3765 if you need help determining your water heater's age and registration information after purchasing a home in the Northwest Metro.
All major brands have issued recalls at various times. Bradford White, A.O. Smith, Rheem, and others have all recalled products. Recall frequency doesn't necessarily indicate overall quality because larger manufacturers with higher sales volumes naturally have more recalls by absolute numbers. Angi notes that recall rate as a percentage of units sold is more meaningful than total recall numbers. Bradford White's 2016 recall affected about 140,000 units out of millions manufactured, a relatively small percentage.
Even manufacturers with excellent quality control occasionally have defects slip through. Complex products with hundreds of components and multi-stage manufacturing create opportunities for problems. Supplier defects, assembly errors, and design oversights happen to every manufacturer. Family Handyman explains that defects are inevitable in mass production. The difference between quality brands and budget brands is responsiveness, remedy quality, and overall defect rates across all problems, not just recalls.
We install and service thousands of water heaters annually. This gives us field experience across all brands showing which have the most problems, best customer service, and most reliable long-term performance. Bradford White consistently outperforms competitors in our field experience despite occasional recalls. When homeowners throughout Coon Rapids, St Louis Park, and Edina ask for brand recommendations, we base advice on decades of real-world performance data, not just recall statistics.
If your recalled water heater poses immediate safety risks, you cannot safely wait months for remedy. Options include: renting a temporary water heater, using the manufacturer's compensation fund to install a replacement yourself, or pursuing expedited remedy through aggressive communication with the manufacturer. The CPSC Recall Handbook discusses consumer rights and manufacturer obligations. Document all communications and retain records of expenses caused by recall delays.
If your recalled water heater is 10+ years old, consider using the situation to justify proactive replacement rather than waiting for remedy. Recall remedies fix specific defects but don't address age-related deterioration. A repaired 12-year-old water heater still has 12-year-old corrosion and worn components. You might be better off replacing the entire unit now rather than repairing it and facing age-related failure in 1-2 years. We help customers evaluate whether recall repair or proactive replacement makes more sense based on unit age and overall condition during consultations throughout Maple Grove and the Northwest Metro.
Manufacturers must provide reasonable remedies within reasonable timeframes. If months pass without resolution, you can escalate complaints to the CPSC, contact consumer protection agencies, or consult attorneys about compensation for damages or expenses. Keep detailed records of all communications, expenses, and impacts. Consumer Reports provides guidance on asserting consumer rights. Most recalls resolve within weeks or a few months, but some drag on longer and require consumer advocacy.
Check the CPSC database at cpsc.gov to see if your water heater is recalled. Register your water heater with the manufacturer for automatic recall notifications. Respond promptly if your unit is recalled. Don't ignore recalls even if the water heater seems to work fine. Safety defects can cause fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, or explosions. Take recalls seriously and pursue remedies aggressively. If you discover your water heater is recalled or want help checking recalls and determining appropriate action, call First Class Plumbing at 763-220-3765. We serve homeowners throughout Maple Grove, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Louis Park, Wayzata, Edina, Osseo, and the entire Northwest Metro.
We wrote this content to rank for search terms like "water heater recall database," "water heater recall by serial number," and "is my water heater recalled," but we also wrote it to actually help you. If this guide helped you understand how to check recalls and what to do if your water heater is recalled, great. You can take appropriate action to protect your home and family. If you need professional help evaluating your water heater, checking recalls, or determining whether replacement makes sense, call First Class Plumbing at 763-220-3765. We're here to serve homeowners with honest, licensed plumbing services.
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