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CPSC recall · Reported October 20, 2004

CPSC, Zippo Announce Recall of Multi-Purpose Utility Lighters

The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard, through a secondary source of ignition.

Recall #
05019
Affected scope
101,557
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
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Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa. recalled The Zippo MPL (Multi-Purpose Lighter) uses refillable butane fuel, is child resistant, an… - a moderate-severity action.

CPSC, Zippo Announce Recall of Multi-Purpose Utility Lighters was recalled by Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa. in October 20, 2004. Reason: The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard, through…. Remedy: Free replacement multi-purpose lighter when consumer sends to the company the black adjus…. Verify recall #05019 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard, through….

Moderate
severity level
102K units
affected scope
October 20, 2004
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #05019 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #05019) was formally reported on October 20, 2004. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 101,557, a scale large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking.

The documented reason for this recall is: The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard, through a secondary source of ignition. 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: Free replacement multi-purpose lighter when consumer sends to the company the black adjuster knob from the bottom of the lighter. - 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.

Children & Baby Products recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 3,731 children & baby products recalls on record

0100200300400500600 20052008201120142017202020232026 146
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

101,557

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

The Zippo MPL (Multi-Purpose Lighter) uses refillable butane fuel, is child resistant, and measures 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. The utility lighter is finished in black metal or silver metal with a chrome nozzle. The black unit is packaged in a blister pack with black and red graphics and the silver unit is in a silver gift box. Only utility lighters with these date codes are recalled: G03, H03, I03, ZH03. The date code is on the black adjuster knob on the bottom of the lighter.

Reason for recall

The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard, through a secondary source of ignition.

Remedy, what to do

Free replacement multi-purpose lighter when consumer sends to the company the black adjuster knob from the bottom of the lighter.

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 05019
Date reported October 20, 2004
Date initiated October 20, 2004
Recalling firm Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa.
Affected scope 101,557
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

101,557 units affected - multi-state distribution scale.

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

Free replacement multi-purpose lighter when consumer sends to the company the black adjuster knob from the bottom of the lighter.

  • Check the recall number (05019) 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 Zippo MPL (Multi-Purpose Lighter) uses refillable butane fuel, is child resistant, and measures 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. The utility lighter is finished in black metal or silver metal with a chrome nozzle. The black unit is packaged in a blister pack with black and red graphics and the silver unit is in a silver gift box. Only utility lighters with these date codes are recalled: G03, H03, I03, ZH03. The date code is on the black adjuster knob on the bottom of the lighter.. Recalled by Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa.. Units affected: 101,557.
Why was this product recalled?
The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard, through a secondary source of ignition.
What should consumers do?
Free replacement multi-purpose lighter when consumer sends to the company the black adjuster knob from the bottom of the lighter.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on October 20, 2004. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 05019.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (05019) 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 October 20, 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.