Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP)

CPSC Recall #08-073 — November 6, 2007

Recall Summary

Recall Number08-073
Recall DateNovember 6, 2007
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 185,000
ManufacturerCarrier Corp., of Farmington, Conn.
Manufactured InMexico

Where It Was Sold

HVAC dealers and factory-direct sales from January 2002 through December 2006 for between $425 and $675.

Product

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP)

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Carrier Corp., of Farmington, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 185,000 Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP). An electric heater in the unit can break, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Name of Product: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP)Units: About 185,000Manufacturer: Carrier Corp., of Farmington, Conn.Hazard: An electric heater in the unit can break, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Carrier has received five reports of electric heater failures, resulting in fires contained to the unit. No injuries have been reported.Description: This recall involves Carrier-brand packaged terminal air conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHP) manufactured between 2002 and 2005. Model numbers included in the recall are 52C, 52P, and unbranded model 84 units sold through the Bryant and FAST channels. Serial and model numbers are located on the rating/data plate on the right front of the unit, underneath the removable front panel. A complete list of the serial numbers involved in this recall are available by calling Carrier. The units were sold with 208/230 and 265 volts, and have capacities of 7,000, 9,000, 12,000, and 15,000 BTUs.Sold by: HVAC dealers and factory-direct sales from January 2002 through December 2006 for between $425 and $675.Manufactured in: MexicoRemedy: Consumers should stop using the heating mode of the recalled units until they are inspected in accordance with Carrier's inspection instructions. Consumers should contact Carrier to receive a free repair.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Carrier at (800) 761-8492 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

An electric heater in the unit can break, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Carrier has received five reports of electric heater failures, resulting in fires contained to the unit. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the heating mode of the recalled units until they are inspected in accordance with Carrier's inspection instructions. Consumers should contact Carrier to receive a free repair.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

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.