The Recall Desk
Our severity:CriticalCPSC·92050·Announced 1992-02-04

GE and Universal Drip Coffeemakers Recalled for Fire Hazard

General Electric is intensifying the recall of GE and Universal drip coffeemakers manufactured before April 28, 1984, due to a thermal fuse failure that poses a significant fire hazard.

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 states that the defect resulted in fatalities, which mandates a Critical severity score of 5 according to the rubric.

Plain-English summary

General Electric (GE) is intensifying its voluntary recall of certain GE brand and Universal brand drip coffeemakers manufactured before April 28, 1984. The recall, launched in March 1991 in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), addresses a significant fire hazard caused by a supplier's thermal fuse that may fail to function as intended. Approximately nine million units were manufactured between 1976 and 1984.

GE has received approximately 500 reports of coffeemakers overheating. Allegations indicate that fuse failures resulted in fires causing two fatalities and serious personal injury to eight others, with additional claims of three more deaths and 17 injuries. Approximately 380 claims involve property damage ranging from $300 to $1.3 million. Units manufactured on or after April 28, 1984, are not involved.

To identify affected units, consumers should check the date code stamped on the outside metal blade of the electric plug; codes 418 through 600 indicate the unit is not recalled. Space Maker Drip Coffeemakers (SDC1, SDC2, SDC3) and percolators are also excluded. Owners of recalled units should unplug them immediately and call 1-800-443-9000. GE offers a $10 incentive and pre-paid mailing cartons for returned units.

The recalled product

Product
General Electric (GE) drip coffeemakers
Manufacturer
Universal
Category
Consumer Product — Small Appliances
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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