The Recall Desk
Our severity:CriticalCPSC·84027·Announced 1984-04-24

Honeywell V5130 Gas Valves Recalled Due to Fire and Explosion Risks

CPSC issued a complaint against Honeywell V5130 gas valves used in LP gas water heaters due to a defect causing fires and explosions.

What this means for you

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

Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly reports 16 deaths and approximately 35 personal injuries, which meets the rubric criteria for a Critical severity score of 5.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an administrative complaint against Honeywell, Inc., alleging that its V5130 gas combination control valves contain a defect that presents a substantial risk of injury from fires and explosions. The complaint is limited to valves used in water heaters fueled by LP (liquefied petroleum) gas. The Commission has learned of approximately 64 explosion incidents involving this control valve, including 16 deaths and approximately 35 incidents of personal injury to consumers.

The alleged defect involves the design of the valve knob, which uses plastic lugs keyed into metal slots. The complaint states that knobs on controls made between 1958 and 1976 can wear and break, allowing the knob to rotate 180 degrees relative to the gas cock. If this occurs, the knob can become stuck in the depressed position, defeating the pilot-flame safety system. Consequently, if the pilot flame goes out, the valve may open to release unburned gas, creating a serious explosion or fire hazard. LP gas is heavier than air and can accumulate on the floor, increasing the risk of ignition.

These controls were used on various water heaters manufactured by numerous different manufacturers. Some controls are identifiable by the Honeywell name on the front faceplate, while others may only display the water heater manufacturer's name. Consumers who are aware of explosion or fire incidents associated with this product should contact the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.

The recalled product

Product
Honeywell V5130 gas combination control valves
Manufacturer
Honeywell
Category
Consumer Product — Gas Valves
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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