PlainRecalls

Carrier Recalls Carrier- and Bryant-Branded Heat Pumps Due to Fire Hazard

Reported: October 10, 2019 Initiated: October 10, 2019 #20009 About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada) units

CPSC recall on October 10, 2019. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada) units are affected. The recall was issued because: The fan motor on the heat pumps can fail, causing the units to overheat, posing a fire hazard.. This recall notice is sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #20009) was formally reported on October 10, 2019. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The recalling firm is not specified in the federal record. Federal records indicate About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada) units are affected, placing this recall in the million-unit bracket that typically triggers nationwide consumer alerts and retailer sweeps.

The documented reason for this recall is: The fan motor on the heat pumps can fail, causing the units to overheat, posing 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 immediately contact their installing servicer, dealer or contractor to arrange for a free repair. While awaiting repair, consumers should monitor affected units while they are being … — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 7 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada)

Related Recalls

6

0 from same agency

Product Description

This recall involves Carrier- and Bryant-branded 1.5-ton multi-zone, 4-ton multi-zone and 4-ton single-zone ductless heat pump outdoor units. The units are used for cooling and heating homes and light commercial facilities. The model number and product number can be found on the nameplate/rating plate on the side of the units. The recalled models and product numbers are: Brand Product Model Number Product Number Carrier 1.5-ton multi-zone 38MGQC18---3 38MGQC18---301-- 4-ton multi-zone 38MGQF48---3 38MGQF48---301-- 4-ton single-zone 38MBQB48---3 38MBQB48--301-- Bryant 1.5-ton multi-zone 538TEQ018RCMA 538TEQ018RCMAAAA 4-ton multi-zone 538TEQ048RFMA 538TEQ048RFMAAAA 4-ton single-zone 538REQ048RBMA 538REQ048RBMAAAA

Reason for Recall

The fan motor on the heat pumps can fail, causing the units to overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy

Consumers should immediately contact their installing servicer, dealer or contractor to arrange for a free repair. While awaiting repair, consumers should monitor affected units while they are being operated and keep foliage and other flammable items at least 24 inches away from the recalled units.

Details

Units Affected
About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada)

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 20009
Date reported October 10, 2019
Date initiated October 10, 2019
Recalling firm Not disclosed
Units affected About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada)
Distribution Not disclosed

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Scale of Impact

About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada) units affected — million-unit bracket.

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves Carrier- and Bryant-branded 1.5-ton multi-zone, 4-ton multi-zone and 4-ton single-zone ductless heat pump outdoor units. The units are used for cooling and heating homes and light commercial facilities. The model number and product number can be found on the nameplate/rating plate on the side of the units. The recalled models and product numbers are: Brand Product Model Number Product Number Carrier 1.5-ton multi-zone 38MGQC18---3 38MGQC18---301-- 4-ton multi-zone 38MGQF48---3 38MGQF48---301-- 4-ton single-zone 38MBQB48---3 38MBQB48--301-- Bryant 1.5-ton multi-zone 538TEQ018RCMA 538TEQ018RCMAAAA 4-ton multi-zone 538TEQ048RFMA 538TEQ048RFMAAAA 4-ton single-zone 538REQ048RBMA 538REQ048RBMAAAA. Units affected: About 5,350 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada).
Why was this product recalled?
The fan motor on the heat pumps can fail, causing the units to overheat, posing a fire hazard.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately contact their installing servicer, dealer or contractor to arrange for a free repair. While awaiting repair, consumers should monitor affected units while they are being operated and keep foliage and other flammable items at least 24 inches away from the recalled units.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on October 10, 2019. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 20009.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (20009) 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.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

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 Endo-Model Replacement Plateau; Item Number: 15-0027/11; →

Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).