Rheem Water Heater Recalls
Rheem recall history at a glance
Rheem water heaters appear in 4 CPSC recalls on record, spanning 1980 to 2016. The hazards cited are fire or burn (3) and carbon monoxide (1).
The largest single action, recall 05274 from September 2005, covered about 178,000 units. The most recent is recall 16177 from May 2016. The remedies offered were a free repair or retrofit kit and a free replacement part or unit, at no cost to the owner.
3 of these 4 recalls covered Richmond, Ruud, Paloma, and American Water Heater units as well, because the same factory built them under more than one badge. Checking the Rheem name alone is not enough if your unit was rebadged.
How to find your Rheem model and serial number
The serial is on a silver or white sticker wrapped around the top third of the tank, usually near the gas valve or the electric access cover. It's labeled SERIAL NO. and sits right next to the model number. On tankless and hybrid units the label is on the side panel instead. If the sticker is faded, snap a photo with your phone flash on and zoom in.
Once you have the serial number, you can look up your Rheem water heater's age to pin down the exact manufacture date and compare it against the affected ranges above.
What to do if your Rheem water heater is affected
- Match the model and serial number on your rating plate against the affected ranges in the 4 recalls above.
- Rheem 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 16177, CPSC published: Rheem toll-free at 866-369- 4786 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT on Sunday or online at www.rheem.com and click on Recall Information 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.
Rheem recall FAQ
How do I know if my Rheem water heater is recalled?
The serial is on a silver or white sticker wrapped around the top third of the tank, usually near the gas valve or the electric access cover. It's labeled SERIAL NO. and sits right next to the model number. On tankless and hybrid units the label is on the side panel instead. If the sticker is faded, snap a photo with your phone flash on and zoom in. Compare what you find against the 4 recalls issued between 1980 and 2016 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 Rheem water heater recall?
Recall 16177, announced May 2016: Rheem Recalls to Repair Water Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Sold Exclusively at Home Depot. About 54,000 units were covered. A recall stays open indefinitely, so an older action still applies to a unit that was never remedied.
Which Rheem recalls involve carbon monoxide?
1 recall on this page cites a carbon monoxide hazard: 07108 (February 2007). 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 Richmond, Ruud, Paloma, and American Water Heater?
Yes. 3 recalls listed here were issued across more than one badge, covering Richmond, Ruud, Paloma, and American Water Heater alongside Rheem. 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 Rheem 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 Rheem warranty coverage
See how long Rheem water heaters are covered and what the warranty includes.