Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported July 13, 2004
CPSC, Elkay Manufacturing Co. Announce Recall of Bottled Water Coolers
These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill. recalled These 115-volt hot/cold bottled water coolers have both cold and hot water faucets. Most … - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, Elkay Manufacturing Co. Announce Recall of Bottled Water Coolers was recalled by Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill. in July 13, 2004. Reason: These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.. Remedy: Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who …. Verify recall #04175 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard..
- Moderate
- severity level
- 145K units
- affected scope
- July 13, 2004
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04175 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #04175) was formally reported on July 13, 2004. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 145,000, a scale large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking.
The documented reason for this recall is: These electric water coolers can overheat and present 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: Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and point-of-use water coolers also should check their cooler to see if it… - 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.
Household Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products 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
145,000
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
These 115-volt hot/cold bottled water coolers have both cold and hot water faucets. Most of the coolers are white, but some are granite colored. The water coolers have the name "Elkay" on the serial number plate on the back of the unit. The five design names are: Classic, Legend, Eclipse, Sentry, and Legend Countertop. Consumers should go to the Elkay recall website at www.coolerfix.com and type in their serial number to determine if the water cooler is recalled. Consumers also can call the firm at (800) 260-6640 to determine if their water cooler is included in the recall. The recall also includes a small number of point-of-use water coolers sold for commercial use. Commercial customers are being directly notified of the recall. Point-of-use water coolers have the water plumbed directly to the units.
Reason for recall
These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.
Remedy, what to do
Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and point-of-use water coolers also should check their cooler to see if it is recalled and unplug the cooler if it is recalled. Contact Elkay to get information about a free repair of the recalled coolers.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 04175 |
| Date reported | July 13, 2004 |
| Date initiated | July 13, 2004 |
| Recalling firm | Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill. |
| Affected scope | 145,000 |
| 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
Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and …
- Check the recall number (04175) 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? ▼
These 115-volt hot/cold bottled water coolers have both cold and hot water faucets. Most of the coolers are white, but some are granite colored. The water coolers have the name "Elkay" on the serial number plate on the back of the unit. The five design names are: Classic, Legend, Eclipse, Sentry, and Legend Countertop. Consumers should go to the Elkay recall website at www.coolerfix.com and type in their serial number to determine if the water cooler is recalled. Consumers also can call the firm at (800) 260-6640 to determine if their water cooler is included in the recall. The recall also includes a small number of point-of-use water coolers sold for commercial use. Commercial customers are being directly notified of the recall. Point-of-use water coolers have the water plumbed directly to the units.. Recalled by Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill.. Units affected: 145,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and point-of-use water coolers also should check their cooler to see if it is recalled and unplug the cooler if it is recalled. Contact Elkay to get information about a free repair of the recalled coolers.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on July 13, 2004. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04175.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (04175) 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.
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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 July 13, 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.