A.O. Smith Water Heater Recalls
A.O. Smith Corporation also manufactures water heaters under the State, American Water Heater, and American Standard brand names. Recalls may appear under any of these names.
A.O. Smith recall history at a glance
A.O. Smith water heaters appear in 6 CPSC recalls on record, spanning 1980 to 2015. The hazards cited are fire or burn (4), carbon monoxide (1), and general safety (1).
The largest single action, recall 04128 from April 2004, covered about 88,000 units. The most recent is recall 15155 from June 2015. The remedies offered were a free replacement part or unit, a free inspection, and a free repair or retrofit kit, at no cost to the owner.
4 of these 6 recalls covered Reliance, John Wood, Kenmore, and Sears units as well, because the same factory built them under more than one badge. Checking the A.O. Smith name alone is not enough if your unit was rebadged.
Affected model and serial ranges at a glance
Model numbers
Serial number ranges
Always confirm against the full recall details below, plus the exact model and serial on your unit's rating plate.
How to find your A.O. Smith model and serial number
Look at the rating plate on the upper third of the tank, usually a silver foil sticker near the cold inlet pipe. The serial sits below the model number and is labeled SERIAL or SER. NO. On commercial units the label is often on the side panel. A.O. Smith uses tall narrow stickers that tend to fade in attics, so a phone flashlight helps.
Once you have the serial number, you can look up your A.O. Smith water heater's age to pin down the exact manufacture date and compare it against the affected ranges above.
What to do if your A.O. Smith water heater is affected
- Match the model and serial number on your rating plate against the affected ranges in the 6 recalls above.
- A.O. Smith has a carbon monoxide recall on record, so if your unit falls in that range, stop using it and ventilate the space before you do anything else. Carbon monoxide is odorless and the CPSC treats these actions as urgent.
- Call the hotline listed in the recall notice. For recall 15155, CPSC published: A.O. Smith toll free at (866) 880-4661 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.johnwoodwaterheaters.com and click on Recall Notices for more information.
- Ask for the published remedy, which for these recalls is a free replacement part or unit, a free inspection, and a free repair or retrofit kit. Recall remedies are free by law, including labor in most cases.
- Keep your model number, serial number, and the recall number handy, since the hotline will ask for all three.
A.O. Smith recall FAQ
How do I know if my A.O. Smith water heater is recalled?
Look at the rating plate on the upper third of the tank, usually a silver foil sticker near the cold inlet pipe. The serial sits below the model number and is labeled SERIAL or SER. NO. On commercial units the label is often on the side panel. A.O. Smith uses tall narrow stickers that tend to fade in attics, so a phone flashlight helps. Compare what you find against the 6 recalls issued between 1980 and 2015 on this page. If your serial is not printed clearly, decode it with our free age checker first, because most of these recalls are defined by a build date range rather than by model alone.
When was the most recent A.O. Smith water heater recall?
Recall 15155, announced June 2015: A.O. Smith Recalls John Wood Brand Oil-Fired Water Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazards. About 250 units were covered. A recall stays open indefinitely, so an older action still applies to a unit that was never remedied.
Which A.O. Smith recalls involve carbon monoxide?
1 recall on this page cites a carbon monoxide hazard: 08241 (April 2008). Carbon monoxide from a gas water heater is odorless, so a working CO alarm near the unit matters even after the recall remedy is done.
Do these recalls also cover Reliance, John Wood, Kenmore, and Sears?
Yes. 4 recalls listed here were issued across more than one badge, covering Reliance, John Wood, Kenmore, and Sears alongside A.O. Smith. The units came off the same line, so the affected model and serial ranges are what decide whether yours is included, not the name on the jacket.
Does a A.O. Smith recall mean I have to replace the water heater?
Not necessarily. For these recalls the published remedy is a free replacement part or unit, a free inspection, and a free repair or retrofit kit, and the manufacturer covers the cost. Replacement of the whole unit is only required when the notice says so.
Check your A.O. Smith warranty coverage
See how long A.O. Smith water heaters are covered and what the warranty includes.