Coleman Model 8600 Solar Pak mobile home furnaces
CPSC Recall #88-088 - October 25, 1988
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 88-088 |
| Recall Date | October 25, 1988 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect |
| Units Affected | Approximately 100,000 |
Product
Coleman Model 8600 Solar Pak mobile home furnaces
Description
WASHINGTON, DC - An inspection and discount replacement program for some 100,000 Model 8600 Solar Pak mobile home furnaces is being undertaken by the Coleman Co. Manufactured Housing Products Division of Wichita, Kansas in voluntary cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In response to reports received by Coleman and the CPSC of deaths and serious injuries caused by leaking carbon monoxide from furnaces which have allegedly been inadequately inspected and maintained and/or altered or modified, Coleman has initiated a program to arrange inspections of its Model 8600 Solar Pak furnaces produced for mobile homes before December 1971. Coleman is offering homeowners a free cooler to encourage participation in this safety inspection program. Although approximately 380,000 Solar Pak furnaces were manufactured from 1964 through 1971, it is unlikely all are still operational. The furnaces were sold exclusively for use in mobile homes either as original equipment or as replacement appliances. Investigations of the incidents show that no single factor is solely responsible for the carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. Nearly all of the incidents allegedly involved a combination of factors including improper or inadequate maintenance, the furnace improper installation, alteration or modification to the furnace. To participate in this inspection/replacement program, mobile home owners should check their gas furnaces for the presence of the Coleman brand name on the front of the furnaces. They can then identify a Coleman Model 8600 Solar Pak by opening the furnace door and checking the rating plate. If the furnace is a Coleman Model 8600 Solar Pak or if the homeowner is uncertain, they should call Coleman's toll-free Hotline number, 1-800-232-SOLR. Coleman will assist in arranging an inspection with the closest service center. Coleman is offering up to a 50% discount on critical replacement parts as well as up to a 50% discount on a new replacement furnace. Consumers can receive details of the program by calling the Coleman toll free number listed above. Homeowners are being reminded that annual maintenance and inspection of all furnaces is vital to the safety of consumers and to the proper working of their furnace. Older furnaces, such as the Coleman Solar Pak series, should receive special care and attention to insure proper operation.
Hazard
In response to reports received by Coleman and the CPSC of deaths and serious injuries caused by leaking carbon monoxide from furnaces which have allegedly been inadequately inspected and maintained and/or altered or modified, Coleman has initiated a program to arrange inspections of its Model 8600 Solar Pak furnaces produced for mobile homes before December 1971.
Incidents & Injuries
Coleman and CPSC have received reports of deaths and serious injuries caused by leaking carbon monoxide from furnaces which have allegedly been inadequately inspected and maintained and/or altered or modified.
Remedy Instructions
If the furnace is a Coleman Model 8600 Solar Pak or if the homeowner is uncertain, they should call Coleman's toll-free Hotline number, 1-800-232-SOLR. Coleman will assist in arranging an inspection with the closest service center. Coleman is offering up to a 50% discount on critical replacement parts as well as up to a 50% discount on a new replacement furnace. Consumers can receive details of the program by calling the Coleman toll free number listed above.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect 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) 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.