Sears Water Heater Recalls
Sears water heaters are sold under the Kenmore brand name and have been manufactured by various OEM partners.
Sears recall history at a glance
Sears water heaters appear in 1 CPSC recall on record, issued in 1980. The hazard cited is fire or burn.
The action on file is recall 80042 from December 1980.
This recall covered A.O. Smith, American Standard, State Water Heaters, and Rheem units as well, because the same factory built them under more than one badge. Checking the Sears name alone is not enough if your unit was rebadged.
How to find your Sears model and serial number
On almost every Sears water heater, the model and serial number are printed on the rating plate, a metal or paper sticker on the side of the tank. Look near the top for the model number and just below it for the serial number. On tankless units, the plate is usually on the bottom or right-hand side of the cabinet.
Once you have the serial number, you can look up your Sears water heater's age to pin down the exact manufacture date and compare it against the affected ranges above.
What to do if your Sears water heater is affected
- Match the model and serial number on your rating plate against the affected ranges in the 1 recall above.
- The Sears 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.
- Contact Sears using the hotline printed in the recall notice above.
- Ask for the published remedy. Recall remedies are free by law.
- Keep your model number, serial number, and the recall number handy, since the hotline will ask for all three.
Sears recall FAQ
How do I know if my Sears water heater is recalled?
Find the model and serial number on the rating plate, then compare them against the affected ranges listed above. Compare what you find against the 1 recall from 1980 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 Sears water heater recall?
Recall 80042, announced December 1980: LP Gas Water Heaters Repaired by White-Rodgers. A recall stays open indefinitely, so an older action still applies to a unit that was never remedied.
Which Sears recalls involve a fire or burn hazard?
1 recall on this page cites a fire or burn hazard: 80042 (December 1980). 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 Standard, State Water Heaters, and Rheem?
Yes. The single recall listed here was issued across more than one badge, covering A.O. Smith, American Standard, State Water Heaters, and Rheem alongside Sears. 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 Sears recall mean I have to replace the water heater?
Not necessarily. Most recalls are closed out with a free repair kit or replacement part rather than a new water heater. The remedy in each notice above says exactly what is provided at no cost.