Severity
Low
HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor The HeartStart XL+ is intended for use in a hospital setting by qualified medical personnel trained in the operation of the device and qualified by training in basic life support, advanced life support, or defibrillation. It must be used by or on the order of a physician. When operating as a semi-automatic external defibrillator in AED Mode, the HeartStart XL+ is suitable for use by medical personnel trained in basic life support that includes use of an AE
Reported: March 21, 2018 Initiated: February 7, 2018 #Z-0978-2018 4315 units
Philips Electronics North America Corporation issued this FDA Devices recall on March 21, 2018. Classified as Low severity (Class III). Approximately 4315 units are affected. The recall was issued because: Update XL¿ device software to version A.03. This includes enhancements to the Operational Checks, event logs, and tro…. This recall notice is sourced from official FDA Devices 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 FDA Devices action (record #Z-0978-2018) was formally reported on March 21, 2018, with the manufacturer initiating the action on February 7, 2018. It is classified under Low severity (Class III), with a current status of Terminated. Philips Electronics North America Corporation is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Andover, MA. Federal records indicate 4315 units are affected.
The documented reason for this recall is: Update XL¿ device software to version A.03. This includes enhancements to the Operational Checks, event logs, and troubleshooting messages that provide as complete of information as needed to users on device readines… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Foreign Only - China. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.
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, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Devices. 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 8 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
Units Affected
4315
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Recall Progress (industry avg ~60%) 60.0%
Product Description
HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor The HeartStart XL+ is intended for use in a hospital setting by qualified medical personnel trained in the operation of the device and qualified by training in basic life support, advanced life support, or defibrillation. It must be used by or on the order of a physician. When operating as a semi-automatic external defibrillator in AED Mode, the HeartStart XL+ is suitable for use by medical personnel trained in basic life support that includes use of an AED. When operating in Monitor, Manual Defib, or Pacer Mode, the HeartStart XL+ is suitable for use by healthcare professionals trained in advanced life support.
Reason for Recall
Update XL¿ device software to version A.03. This includes enhancements to the Operational Checks, event logs, and troubleshooting messages that provide as complete of information as needed to users on device readiness.
Details
- Recalling Firm
- Philips Electronics North America Corporation
- Units Affected
- 4315
- Distribution
- Foreign Only - China
- Location
- Andover, MA
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Low (Class III) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0978-2018 |
| Date reported | March 21, 2018 |
| Date initiated | February 7, 2018 |
| Recalling firm | Philips Electronics North America Corporation |
| Units affected | 4315 |
| Distribution | Foreign Only - China |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor The HeartStart XL+ is intended for use in a hospital setting by qualified medical personnel trained in the operation of the device and qualified by training in basic life support, advanced life support, or defibrillation. It must be used by or on the order of a physician. When operating as a semi-automatic external defibrillator in AED Mode, the HeartStart XL+ is suitable for use by medical personnel trained in basic life support that includes use of an AED. When operating in Monitor, Manual Defib, or Pacer Mode, the HeartStart XL+ is suitable for use by healthcare professionals trained in advanced life support.. Recalled by Philips Electronics North America Corporation. Units affected: 4315.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
Update XL¿ device software to version A.03. This includes enhancements to the Operational Checks, event logs, and troubleshooting messages that provide as complete of information as needed to users on device readiness.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on March 21, 2018. Severity: Low. Recall number: Z-0978-2018.
Where was the recalled product distributed? ▼
Distribution: Foreign Only - China.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (Z-0978-2018) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device? ▼
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.
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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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
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).