75-Gallon Power Vented Gas Water Heaters

CPSC Recall #02-553 — August 14, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-553
Recall DateAugust 14, 2002
Remedy TypeInspect, Replace
Units Affected1,220

Where It Was Sold

Bradford White Corporation sold these water heaters to plumbing supply wholesalers from April 2002 to May 2002. The water heaters were manufactured in the United States.

Product

75-Gallon Power Vented Gas Water Heaters

Description

PRODUCT: Gas Water Heaters - Bradford White Corporation, of Ambler, Pa., is voluntarily recalling 1,220 75-Gallon Power Vented Gas Water Heaters. The recalled water heaters are models: MIITW75T6EN12; MIITW75T6CX12; TW375S76E3N; and TW375S763X with serial number "YD" (all) through YE 1395234. The model and serial numbers are located on the heater rating plate and on the shipping carton label. Bradford White Corporation sold these water heaters to plumbing supply wholesalers from April 2002 to May 2002. The water heaters were manufactured in the United States.PROBLEM: The water heater may have been fitted with incorrectly made flue gas baffles. These baffles may affect fuel combustion resulting in excessive carbon monoxide emissions, which can cause serious injuries and death.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.WHAT TO DO: Consumers who purchased one of these water heaters should immediately contact their installing contractor or call Bradford White Technical Support at (800) 334-3393, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Internet site at www.bradfordwhite.com. Bradford White will confirm the status of the product. If involved, Bradford White will arrange for inspection (and replacement if necessary) of the flue baffle at no cost to the consumer.

Hazard

The water heater may have been fitted with incorrectly made flue gas baffles. These baffles may affect fuel combustion resulting in excessive carbon monoxide emissions, which can cause serious injuries and death.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who purchased one of these water heaters should immediately contact their installing contractor or call Bradford White Technical Support at (800) 334-3393, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Internet site at www.bradfordwhite.com. Bradford White will confirm the status of the product. If involved, Bradford White will arrange for inspection (and replacement if necessary) of the flue baffle at no cost to the consumer.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Inspect, Replace) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.