John Wood Water Heater Recalls
John Wood is a Canadian water heater brand.
John Wood recall history at a glance
John Wood water heaters appear in 2 CPSC recalls on record, spanning 2005 to 2015. All 2 cite a fire or burn hazard.
The largest single action, recall 05274 from September 2005, covered about 178,000 units. The most recent is recall 15155 from June 2015. CPSC lists A.O. Smith Corp. and Robertshaw Controls Co. as the manufacturers on these records. 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.
Every one of these recalls covered A.O. Smith, American Water Heater, Bradford White, and GSW units as well, because the same factory built them under more than one badge. Checking the John Wood 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 John Wood model and serial number
John Wood water heaters are Canadian-made tanks (now part of A.O. Smith) sold primarily in Canada and northern US markets. The rating plate is on the upper third of the tank with the serial in a black bordered box labeled SER NO. or NO. DE SÉRIE.
Once you have the serial number, you can look up your John Wood water heater's age to pin down the exact manufacture date and compare it against the affected ranges above.
What to do if your John Wood water heater is affected
- Match the model and serial number on your rating plate against the affected ranges in the 2 recalls above.
- The John Wood recalls involve fire or burn hazards, so if your unit is in range, shut off the gas or power at the source rather than continuing to run it while you wait for the remedy.
- 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.
John Wood recall FAQ
How do I know if my John Wood water heater is recalled?
John Wood water heaters are Canadian-made tanks (now part of A.O. Smith) sold primarily in Canada and northern US markets. The rating plate is on the upper third of the tank with the serial in a black bordered box labeled SER NO. or NO. DE SÉRIE. Compare what you find against the 2 recalls issued between 2005 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 John Wood 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 John Wood recalls involve a fire or burn hazard?
2 recalls on this page cite a fire or burn hazard: 15155 (June 2015) and 05274 (September 2005). Read the affected ranges closely, since these actions usually target one component such as a gas control valve rather than a whole product line.
Do these recalls also cover A.O. Smith, American Water Heater, Bradford White, and GSW?
Yes. All 2 recalls listed here were issued across more than one badge, covering A.O. Smith, American Water Heater, Bradford White, and GSW alongside John Wood. 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 John Wood 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 John Wood warranty coverage
See how long John Wood water heaters are covered and what the warranty includes.