The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·16177·Announced 2016-05-26

Rheem Recalls Electric Water Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Rheem is recalling about 54,000 Performance Platinum electric water heaters sold at Home Depot because the control panel can overheat, posing fire and burn risks.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with one reported fire resulting in $5,800 in property damage, which meets the rubric criteria for 'Severe' (significant property-damage reports).

Plain-English summary

Rheem Sales Company Inc. is recalling approximately 54,000 Rheem brand "Performance Platinum" electric water heaters in 40, 50, and 80-gallon capacities. These units were sold exclusively at The Home Depot stores nationwide and online from January 2014 through April 2016 for between $450 and $720. The recalled water heaters are gray and feature the "Performance Platinum" Rheem logo decal on the front above the thermostat control panel. A rating plate located near the bottom of the unit displays the model number, date of manufacture, and serial number.

The recall is being issued because the control panel on these water heaters can overheat, which poses fire and burn hazards. Rheem has received 296 reports of control panels overheating, including one report of a fire that resulted in $5,800 in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters. They should contact Rheem toll-free at 866-369-4786 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, or visit www.rheem.com and click on Recall Information, to request a free repair by a Rheem field technician.

The recalled product

Product
Rheem electric water heaters
Manufacturer
Rheem Sales Company Inc., of Montgomery, Ala.
Category
Consumer Product — Water Heaters
Hazard
Affected units
54,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

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