The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·04569·Announced 2004-07-27

Friedrich PTAC Units Recalled for Fire and Overheating Hazards

Friedrich Air Conditioning is recalling about 26,400 packaged terminal air conditioning units because a faulty switch can cause overheating and fires.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with reported property damage and one incident of smoke inhalation, meeting the criteria for significant injury/property-damage reports.

Plain-English summary

Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. is recalling about 26,400 Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) units and about 1,600 replacement heater assemblies. The recall includes all P series units manufactured between November 1, 2002, and December 31, 2003, with serial numbers ranging from LBLP00001 through LCMP9999. Additionally, the recall covers P Series units serviced between June 1, 2003, and December 31, 2003, where the heater assembly was field-replaced.

The hazard involves the rotary dial switch, which can be positioned between the high and low speed fan settings. This malfunction can cause the units to overheat and possibly catch fire. Friedrich has received 60 reports of units overheating, including nine reports of fires resulting in property damage. One incident at a nursing home resulted in a resident suffering smoke inhalation.

These units were sold throughout the U.S. between November 2002 and December 2003 for about $500 to $600. They were sold to commercial customers, such as property owners and contractors, directly by Friedrich or its representatives, and through local, regional, and national HVAC distributors. Consumers should not use the PTACs in the heating mode until the repair is made. To schedule a free, on-site repair, call (800) 664-5698 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

The recalled product

Product
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) units
Manufacturer
Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., of San Antonio, Texas
Category
Consumer Product — HVAC Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
26,400

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same manufacturer · Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., of San Antonio, Texas

See all →

Same hazard · fire

See all →

Similar recalls