Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported November 8, 2018
A. O. Smith Recalls Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Due to Fire Hazard
The water heater's gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater's burner can then create excess radiant heat, posing a fire hazard if the water heater is installed directly …
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
A. O. Smith Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis. recalled This recall includes 30, 40 and 50 gallon natural or propane gas-fired Ultra-Low NOx emis… - a moderate-severity action.
A. O. Smith Recalls Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Due to Fire Hazard was recalled by A. O. Smith Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis. in November 8, 2018. Reason: The water heater's gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater's burner can then create excess radiant…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters and conta…. Verify recall #19029 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
A. O. Smith Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The water heater's gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater's burner can then create excess radiant….
- Moderate
- severity level
- November 8, 2018
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #19029 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #19029) was formally reported on November 8, 2018. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. A. O. Smith Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 616,000.
The documented reason for this recall is: The water heater's gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater's burner can then create excess radiant heat, posing a fire hazard if the water heater is installed directly on a wood or other combustible floor. 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 turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters and contact A. O. Smith to determine if a free repair is necessary. - 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 616,000
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
This recall includes 30, 40 and 50 gallon natural or propane gas-fired Ultra-Low NOx emission gas water heaters. They are designed to comply with regulations in certain air quality districts in California, and were sold primarily in California. They were sold under the American, A. O. Smith, Kenmore, Reliance, State, U.S. Craftsmaster and Whirlpool brand names and manufactured from April 8, 2011 through August 1, 2016. Only water heaters with the first four digit serial numbers between 1115 and 1631, where the first four digits represent the year and week of production, are included in the recall. The brand name, model number and serial number can be found on the data plate on the product located next to the gas control valve/thermostat. The brand name is printed near the top of the water heater. Consumers can look up their water heater's serial number to see if it is affected by this recall at www.waterheaterrecall.com.
Reason for recall
The water heater's gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater's burner can then create excess radiant heat, posing a fire hazard if the water heater is installed directly on a wood or other combustible floor.
Remedy, what to do
Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters and contact A. O. Smith to determine if a free repair is necessary.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 19029 |
| Date reported | November 8, 2018 |
| Date initiated | November 8, 2018 |
| Recalling firm | A. O. Smith Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis. |
| Affected scope | About 616,000 |
| 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 immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters and contact A. O. Smith to determine if a free re…
- Check the recall number (19029) 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 includes 30, 40 and 50 gallon natural or propane gas-fired Ultra-Low NOx emission gas water heaters. They are designed to comply with regulations in certain air quality districts in California, and were sold primarily in California. They were sold under the American, A. O. Smith, Kenmore, Reliance, State, U.S. Craftsmaster and Whirlpool brand names and manufactured from April 8, 2011 through August 1, 2016. Only water heaters with the first four digit serial numbers between 1115 and 1631, where the first four digits represent the year and week of production, are included in the recall. The brand name, model number and serial number can be found on the data plate on the product located next to the gas control valve/thermostat. The brand name is printed near the top of the water heater. Consumers can look up their water heater's serial number to see if it is affected by this recall at www.waterheaterrecall.com.. Recalled by A. O. Smith Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis.. Units affected: About 616,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
The water heater's gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater's burner can then create excess radiant heat, posing a fire hazard if the water heater is installed directly on a wood or other combustible floor.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters and contact A. O. Smith to determine if a free repair is necessary.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on November 8, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 19029.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (19029) 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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· 2026-06-11
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· 2026-06-04
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Free-Standing Professional Gas Ranges Recalled Due to Risk of Burn Hazard; Manufactured by Fisher & Paykel
Fisher & Paykel Appliances (Thailand) Co., Ltd, of Thailand · 2026-04-16
Compare this recall with HSN Recalls Kitchen HQ Thermal Insulated Bowls Due to Fire … →
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 8, 2018. 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.