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CPSC recall · Reported November 21, 2017

IKEA Reannounces Recall of MALM and Other Models of Chests and Dressers Due to Serious Tip-over Hazard; 8th Child Fatality Reported; Consumers Urged to Choose Between Refund or Repair

The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to…

Recall #
18040
Affected scope
About 17.3 million (Based on updated information from IKEA, the number of U.S. units has been revised downward from June 2016.)
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
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The CPSC recalled This recall reannouncement involves MALM and other IKEA chests and dressers that do not c… - a moderate-severity action.

IKEA Reannounces Recall of MALM and Other Models of Chests and Dressers Due to Serious Ti… was recalled and listed by the CPSC in November 21, 2017. Reason: The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious t…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properl…. Verify recall #18040 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious t….

Moderate
severity level
November 21, 2017
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #18040 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #18040) was formally reported on November 21, 2017. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The recalling firm is not specified in the federal record. Federal records list the affected scope as About 17.3 million (Based on updated information from IKEA, the number of U.S. units has been revised downward from June 2016.).

The documented reason for this recall is: The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children. 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 immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access. Contact IKEA for a choice between … - 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

About 17.3 million (Based on updated information from IKEA, the number of U.S. units has been revised downward from June 2016.)

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

This recall reannouncement involves MALM and other IKEA chests and dressers that do not comply with the requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2057-14). The recalled children's and adult chests and dressers include the MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6-drawer models and other non-MALM models. The recalled children's chests and dressers are taller than 23.5 inches; recalled adult chests and dressers are taller than 29.5 inches. The MALM chests and dressers are constructed of particleboard or fiberboard and are white, birch (veneer), medium brown, black-brown, white stained oak (veneer), oak (veneer), pink, turquoise, grey, grey-turquoise, lilac, green, brown stained ash (veneer), and black. A 5-digit supplier number, 4-digit date stamp, IKEA logo, country of origin and "MALM" are printed on the underside of the top panel or inside the side panel. RECALLED MALM CHESTS AND DRESSERS Names Sold Dates Measurements MALM 3 10/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 4 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 39½" MALM 5 10/2002 to 4/2006 157/8" x 19" x 481/4" MALM 6 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 483/8" MALM 6 LONG 11/2002 to 6/2016 63" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 6 4/2006 to 6/2016 153/4" x 191/8" x 483/8" OTHER CHESTS AND DRESSERS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL To see a complete list of other non-MALM chests and dressers included in this recall, click on this link www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html on IKEA's website. Since 1996, IKEA chests and dressers have been labeled to identify IKEA, the model name and the manufacturing date.

Reason for recall

The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access. Contact IKEA for a choice between two options: refund or a free wall-anchoring kit. IKEA will pick up the recalled dressers free of charge or provide a one-time, free in-home wall-anchoring service for consumers upon request. Consumers can obtain assistance from IKEA through its website at www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html. Consumers with chests and dressers manufactured prior to January 2002 are eligible for a partial store credit.

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 18040
Date reported November 21, 2017
Date initiated November 21, 2017
Recalling firm Not disclosed
Affected scope About 17.3 million (Based on updated information from IKEA, the number of U.S. units has been revised downward from June 2016.)
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 immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in a…

  • Check the recall number (18040) 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 recall reannouncement involves MALM and other IKEA chests and dressers that do not comply with the requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2057-14). The recalled children's and adult chests and dressers include the MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6-drawer models and other non-MALM models. The recalled children's chests and dressers are taller than 23.5 inches; recalled adult chests and dressers are taller than 29.5 inches. The MALM chests and dressers are constructed of particleboard or fiberboard and are white, birch (veneer), medium brown, black-brown, white stained oak (veneer), oak (veneer), pink, turquoise, grey, grey-turquoise, lilac, green, brown stained ash (veneer), and black. A 5-digit supplier number, 4-digit date stamp, IKEA logo, country of origin and "MALM" are printed on the underside of the top panel or inside the side panel. RECALLED MALM CHESTS AND DRESSERS Names Sold Dates Measurements MALM 3 10/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 4 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 39½" MALM 5 10/2002 to 4/2006 157/8" x 19" x 481/4" MALM 6 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 483/8" MALM 6 LONG 11/2002 to 6/2016 63" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 6 4/2006 to 6/2016 153/4" x 191/8" x 483/8" OTHER CHESTS AND DRESSERS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL To see a complete list of other non-MALM chests and dressers included in this recall, click on this link www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html on IKEA's website. Since 1996, IKEA chests and dressers have been labeled to identify IKEA, the model name and the manufacturing date.. Units affected: About 17.3 million (Based on updated information from IKEA, the number of U.S. units has been revised downward from June 2016.).
Why was this product recalled?
The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access. Contact IKEA for a choice between two options: refund or a free wall-anchoring kit. IKEA will pick up the recalled dressers free of charge or provide a one-time, free in-home wall-anchoring service for consumers upon request. Consumers can obtain assistance from IKEA through its website at www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html. Consumers with chests and dressers manufactured prior to January 2002 are eligible for a partial store credit.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on November 21, 2017. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 18040.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (18040) 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 November 21, 2017. 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.