Kenmore Water Heater Recalls
Kenmore water heaters are sold through Sears and have been manufactured by multiple OEM partners including Rheem, A.O. Smith, and Bradford White over the years.
Kenmore recall history at a glance
Kenmore water heaters appear in 2 CPSC recalls on record, spanning 2004 to 2018. All 2 cite a fire or burn hazard.
The largest single action, recall 19029 from November 2018, covered about 616,000 units. CPSC lists A. O. Smith Corp. as the manufacturer on these records. The remedies offered were a free repair or retrofit kit and a free replacement part or unit, at no cost to the owner.
Every one of these recalls covered Reliance, Whirlpool, and A.O. Smith units as well, because the same factory built them under more than one badge. Checking the Kenmore name alone is not enough if your unit was rebadged.
How to find your Kenmore model and serial number
Kenmore water heaters have the rating plate on the upper third of the tank. Older units (pre-2010) carry a Sears model number prefix like 153.xxxxxx that maps to the actual manufacturer (usually State Industries or A.O. Smith depending on the era). The serial decoding follows the manufacturer's format.
Once you have the serial number, you can look up your Kenmore water heater's age to pin down the exact manufacture date and compare it against the affected ranges above.
What to do if your Kenmore water heater is affected
- Match the model and serial number on your rating plate against the affected ranges in the 2 recalls above.
- The Kenmore 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 19029, CPSC published: Consumers should go to www.waterheaterrecall.com, input their model and serial number and complete the form to determine if their water heater is subject to this recall. Consumers with Whirlpool, U.S. Craftmaster or American Water Heater brand water heaters can call toll-free 866-854-2793 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Consumers with Reliance, State, A. O. Smith, and Kenmore brand water heaters can call toll-free 866-880-4661 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for more information.
- Ask for the published remedy, which for these recalls is a free repair or retrofit kit and a free replacement part or unit. 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.
Kenmore recall FAQ
How do I know if my Kenmore water heater is recalled?
Kenmore water heaters have the rating plate on the upper third of the tank. Older units (pre-2010) carry a Sears model number prefix like 153.xxxxxx that maps to the actual manufacturer (usually State Industries or A.O. Smith depending on the era). The serial decoding follows the manufacturer's format. Compare what you find against the 2 recalls issued between 2004 and 2018 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 Kenmore water heater recall?
Recall 19029, announced November 2018: A. O. Smith Recalls Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Due to Fire Hazard. About 616,000 units were covered. A recall stays open indefinitely, so an older action still applies to a unit that was never remedied.
Which Kenmore recalls involve a fire or burn hazard?
2 recalls on this page cite a fire or burn hazard: 19029 (November 2018) and 04128 (April 2004). 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 Reliance, Whirlpool, and A.O. Smith?
Yes. All 2 recalls listed here were issued across more than one badge, covering Reliance, Whirlpool, and A.O. Smith alongside Kenmore. 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 Kenmore recall mean I have to replace the water heater?
Not necessarily. For these recalls the published remedy is a free repair or retrofit kit and a free replacement part or unit, and the manufacturer covers the cost. Replacement of the whole unit is only required when the notice says so.
Check your Kenmore warranty coverage
See how long Kenmore water heaters are covered and what the warranty includes.