PlainRecalls
ModerateActive

CPSC recall · Reported April 28, 2004

CPSC, White-Rodgers Announce Recall of LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls

The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot to build up on the water heater burner, presenting a fire hazard.

Recall #
04128
Affected scope
88,000
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
View my saved recalls

White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. recalled The temperature control is a small metal box located above the access panel door of the g… - a moderate-severity action.

CPSC, White-Rodgers Announce Recall of LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Co… was recalled by White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. in April 28, 2004. Reason: The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot …. Remedy: Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recall…. Verify recall #04128 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot ….

Moderate
severity level
88K units
affected scope
April 28, 2004
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04128 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #04128) was formally reported on April 28, 2004. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 88,000.

The documented reason for this recall is: The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot to build up on the water heater burner, presenting a fire hazard. 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: Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control, free of charge. - 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

0102030405060 20052008201120142017202020232026 9
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

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.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

88,000

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

The temperature control is a small metal box located above the access panel door of the gas water heater. A white label with red lettering located on the right side of the control contains one of the following model numbers: 37C55U 658, 37C57U 602, 37C72U 520, 37C72U 546, 37C72U 547, or 37C72U 548, and 37C72U 676. There should be a four- digit metal stamped date code located below the label on the right side of the control. Recalled controls will have date codes 0240 to 0329 (40th week of 2002 to 29th week of 2003). Potentially affected gas water heaters include: AO Smith, Apollo, Crosley, Energysense, Freedom, Intertherm, Kenmore, Maytag, Mission, Myers, Penfield, President, Reliance, Sentry, or State. Beginning serial numbers on these gas water heaters can be checked at www.regcen.com/tempcontrolrecall

Reason for recall

The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot to build up on the water heater burner, presenting a fire hazard.

Remedy, what to do

Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control, free of charge.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 04128
Date reported April 28, 2004
Date initiated April 28, 2004
Recalling firm White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.
Affected scope 88,000
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.

Scale of Impact

88,000 units affected - limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) -
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) ✓ This recall
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) -
Massive (≥1M units) -

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

What to do with this recall

Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control, free of charge.

  • Check the recall number (04128) 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?
The temperature control is a small metal box located above the access panel door of the gas water heater. A white label with red lettering located on the right side of the control contains one of the following model numbers: 37C55U 658, 37C57U 602, 37C72U 520, 37C72U 546, 37C72U 547, or 37C72U 548, and 37C72U 676. There should be a four- digit metal stamped date code located below the label on the right side of the control. Recalled controls will have date codes 0240 to 0329 (40th week of 2002 to 29th week of 2003). Potentially affected gas water heaters include: AO Smith, Apollo, Crosley, Energysense, Freedom, Intertherm, Kenmore, Maytag, Mission, Myers, Penfield, President, Reliance, Sentry, or State. Beginning serial numbers on these gas water heaters can be checked at www.regcen.com/tempcontrolrecall. Recalled by White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.. Units affected: 88,000.
Why was this product recalled?
The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot to build up on the water heater burner, presenting a fire hazard.
What should consumers do?
Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control, free of charge.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 28, 2004. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04128.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (04128) 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.

Compare this recall with HSN Recalls Kitchen HQ Thermal Insulated Bowls Due to Fire … →

Browse all Appliances recalls →

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 28, 2004. 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.