Bradford White Water Heater Recalls
Bradford White is privately held and manufactures all products in the United States. Products are sold exclusively through plumbing professionals.
Bradford White recall history at a glance
Bradford White water heaters appear in 2 CPSC recalls on record, spanning 2002 to 2005. The hazards cited are fire or burn (1) and carbon monoxide (1).
The largest single action, recall 05274 from September 2005, covered about 178,000 units. CPSC lists Robertshaw Controls Co. and Bradford White Corporation as the manufacturers on these records. The remedies offered were a free repair or retrofit kit, a free replacement part or unit, and a free inspection, at no cost to the owner.
1 of these 2 recalls covered American Water Heater, GSW, John Wood, and Lochinvar units as well, because the same factory built them under more than one badge. Checking the Bradford White name alone is not enough if your unit was rebadged.
Affected model and serial ranges at a glance
Model numbers
Always confirm against the full recall details below, plus the exact model and serial on your unit's rating plate.
How to find your Bradford White model and serial number
Bradford White serials are on the rating plate wrapped around the top of the tank, usually printed in small black text on a white or silver background. Look for SERIAL NO. directly below the model number. The serial starts with a single letter that's the most important character on the whole sticker - that letter is the year code.
Once you have the serial number, you can look up your Bradford White water heater's age to pin down the exact manufacture date and compare it against the affected ranges above.
What to do if your Bradford White water heater is affected
- Match the model and serial number on your rating plate against the affected ranges in the 2 recalls above.
- Bradford White 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 05274, CPSC published: Call Robertshaw at (800) 232-9389 between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.icca.invensys.com/robertshaw/recallarchive.htm to review a list of the appliances with recalled valves and to register for the recall.
- Ask for the published remedy, which for these recalls is a free repair or retrofit kit, a free replacement part or unit, and a free inspection. 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.
Bradford White recall FAQ
How do I know if my Bradford White water heater is recalled?
Bradford White serials are on the rating plate wrapped around the top of the tank, usually printed in small black text on a white or silver background. Look for SERIAL NO. directly below the model number. The serial starts with a single letter that's the most important character on the whole sticker - that letter is the year code. Compare what you find against the 2 recalls issued between 2002 and 2005 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 Bradford White water heater recall?
Recall 05274, announced September 2005: CPSC, Robertshaw Controls Co. Announce Recall of Gas Control Valves on Water Heaters. About 178,000 units were covered. A recall stays open indefinitely, so an older action still applies to a unit that was never remedied.
Which Bradford White recalls involve carbon monoxide?
1 recall on this page cites a carbon monoxide hazard: 02553 (August 2002). 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 American Water Heater, GSW, John Wood, and Lochinvar?
Yes. 1 recall listed here was issued across more than one badge, covering American Water Heater, GSW, John Wood, and Lochinvar alongside Bradford White. 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 Bradford White recall mean I have to replace the water heater?
Not necessarily. For these recalls the published remedy is a free repair or retrofit kit, a free replacement part or unit, and a free inspection, and the manufacturer covers the cost. Replacement of the whole unit is only required when the notice says so.
Check your Bradford White warranty coverage
See how long Bradford White water heaters are covered and what the warranty includes.