The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·99061·Announced 1999-02-16

Rheem Recalls 135,000 Electric Furnaces and Air Handlers for Fire Hazard

Rheem is recalling 135,000 electric furnaces and air handlers because heating elements can disintegrate and expel molten metal, creating a fire risk.

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 16 reported fires resulting in significant property damage, including one total house fire, which meets the criteria for a Severe rating (significant property-damage reports).

Plain-English summary

Rheem Manufacturing Co. is recalling approximately 135,000 electric furnaces and air handlers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall involves specific down flow and horizontal installations, including Rheem RBEA, UBEA, WBEA, and WBEMA model furnaces, and RBHA, UBHA, WBHA, and WBHMA model air handlers with date codes between 3592 and 4595. These units were sold nationwide from August 1992 through December 1995.

The heating elements in these units can disintegrate and expel small particles of molten metal through the duct system into the living area. These particles can ignite nearby combustibles, presenting a fire hazard. Rheem has received 16 reports of fires resulting in minor to serious property damage, including one report of a total house fire. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should check the identification plate on the front of their unit for the model and date code. The date code consists of the four digits following the letter "M" in the serial number. If the unit is part of the recall, consumers should call Rheem's toll-free number at (877) 749-6035 to arrange for a qualified service technician to repair the unit by installing a new blower assembly. Rheem will pay for the new part and provide a labor allowance for installation.

The recalled product

Product
Rheem electric furnaces and air handlers
Manufacturer
Rheem
Category
Consumer Product — Heating Equipment
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

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