Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported April 2, 2002
Cadet Manufacturing Co. Recall of In-Wall Electric Heaters
When an RM or ZM model heatbox (replacing a ZA or RA model heatbox) is inserted into a ZAC wall can and wired through a fitting in the top-left wall can knock-out (see the picture…
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash. recalled This is a reminder of the voluntary recall program for certain RM and ZM model Cadet in-w… - a moderate-severity action.
Cadet Manufacturing Co. Recall of In-Wall Electric Heaters was recalled by Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash. in April 2, 2002. Reason: When an RM or ZM model heatbox (replacing a ZA or RA model heatbox) is inserted into a ZAC wall can and wired…. Remedy: If the heater is part of the recall, stop using it immediately by turning it off at the e…. Verify recall #02531 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-When an RM or ZM model heatbox (replacing a ZA or RA model heatbox) is inserted into a ZAC wall can and wired….
- Moderate
- severity level
- April 2, 2002
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #02531 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #02531) was formally reported on April 2, 2002. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 19,000.
The documented reason for this recall is: When an RM or ZM model heatbox (replacing a ZA or RA model heatbox) is inserted into a ZAC wall can and wired through a fitting in the top-left wall can knock-out (see the picture), the RM or ZM model has the potential … Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: If the heater is part of the recall, stop using it immediately by turning it off at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box). Consumers should contact Cadet to schedule a free repair.… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Appliances recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 419 appliances recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
About 19,000
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
This is a reminder of the voluntary recall program for certain RM and ZM model Cadet in-wall electric heaters which began in July 2001. The RM and ZM program is not affected by the closure of the recall program for the Cadet heaters announced in February 2000. This program involves RM and ZM heaters that were shipped prior to September 2000 and provided as replacements for the model ZA and RA Cadet heaters that were recalled in February 2000. The program also includes about 19,000 units of the RM and ZM model Cadet heaters that were sold through other sales channels from 1998 through 2001. Only heaters used as a replacement for the ZA and RA models and installed in a ZAC wall can and wired through the top-left wall can knock-out are part of this recall.
Reason for recall
When an RM or ZM model heatbox (replacing a ZA or RA model heatbox) is inserted into a ZAC wall can and wired through a fitting in the top-left wall can knock-out (see the picture), the RM or ZM model has the potential for continuous heater operation, regardless of thermostat settings or room temperature. This can cause the heater to overheat and catch nearby combustibles on fire.
Remedy, what to do
If the heater is part of the recall, stop using it immediately by turning it off at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box). Consumers should contact Cadet to schedule a free repair. In July 2001, Cadet began directly notifying affected consumers who participated in the October 1997 and February 2000 heater recalls about this RM and ZM program and began arranging service calls.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 02531 |
| Date reported | April 2, 2002 |
| Date initiated | April 2, 2002 |
| Recalling firm | Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash. |
| Affected scope | About 19,000 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
If the heater is part of the recall, stop using it immediately by turning it off at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker o…
- Check the recall number (02531) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
This is a reminder of the voluntary recall program for certain RM and ZM model Cadet in-wall electric heaters which began in July 2001. The RM and ZM program is not affected by the closure of the recall program for the Cadet heaters announced in February 2000. This program involves RM and ZM heaters that were shipped prior to September 2000 and provided as replacements for the model ZA and RA Cadet heaters that were recalled in February 2000. The program also includes about 19,000 units of the RM and ZM model Cadet heaters that were sold through other sales channels from 1998 through 2001. Only heaters used as a replacement for the ZA and RA models and installed in a ZAC wall can and wired through the top-left wall can knock-out are part of this recall.. Recalled by Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash.. Units affected: About 19,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
When an RM or ZM model heatbox (replacing a ZA or RA model heatbox) is inserted into a ZAC wall can and wired through a fitting in the top-left wall can knock-out (see the picture), the RM or ZM model has the potential for continuous heater operation, regardless of thermostat settings or room temperature. This can cause the heater to overheat and catch nearby combustibles on fire.
What should consumers do? ▼
If the heater is part of the recall, stop using it immediately by turning it off at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box). Consumers should contact Cadet to schedule a free repair. In July 2001, Cadet began directly notifying affected consumers who participated in the October 1997 and February 2000 heater recalls about this RM and ZM program and began arranging service calls.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 2, 2002. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 02531.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (02531) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported April 2, 2002. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.