2019 Appliance Recalls

Modern brands do everything they can to keep customers safe. They design safe products, run products through tests, and respond to reports of unsafe product behavior. But sometimes a mistake or flaw in the manufacturing will result in a product that is not safe for consumers to use. When this is discovered, a product recall is issued.

A recall, despite what it sounds like, rarely involves sending the product back. In most cases, a small repair fixes the problem or a refund is offered to all current owners of the recalled products. Every year, a few hundred product models are recalled for repair or replacement and 2019 was no exception. At the end of 2019, a few more products were recalled that you should be aware of. 

Yamaha Portable Generator

Recall Date: November 26, 2019

Hazard: Leaking Fuel Tank

The Yamaha EF2000iS is a portable generator that is small, convenient, and powerful. It’s no surprise that over 10,000 units of the flawed model sold before a dangerous hazard was discovered: The fuel tanks often spring a leak. This can result in a trail or a puddle of gasoline which creates a very high risk of fire or burn injuries. The generators are small, rectangular, and blue with a built-in handle on the top and a dial on the front. There were no reported incidents of personal injury or property damage. Yamaha is handling responsibility for the recall personally and have identified that the units do not need to be fully replaced. 

Solution:

The solution to the leaking fuel tank is a quick, free repair. Yamaha is reaching out to all registered owners of the portable generators to offer free repair through a Yamaha product dealer. If you are not a registered owner but own one of these generators, reach out to Yamaha directly or register your generator.  

Bass Pro MR. STEAK Gas Grills

Recall Date: December 10, 2019

Hazard: Melting Gas Regulator Hose

We all have to agree that Mr. Steak is a great name for a grill. Too bad over three-thousand of the Mr. Steak line of gas grills were sold with a critical safety flaw. The gas regulator hose with the attached fuel gauge is not rated for grill-heat temperatures. The plastic tube can melt if it flexes and comes into contact with the bottom of the grill firebox. This is particularly dangerous because the hose is a fuel line for gas to the grill. There have been nine customer incidents reported in which customers experienced a sudden grill fire. Fortunately, there have been no reported incidents of personal injury as a result of these grill fires. The good news is that you don’t have to send your amusingly named grill back to the factory.

Solution:

Mr. Steak brand is handling the recall process. Any consumer who owns a Mr. Steak grill can reach out to the brand and request a free repair kit including a new gas regulator hose rated for higher temperatures. 

Bosch Thermotechnology Buderus Boilers

Recall Date: December 20, 2019

Hazard: Blocked Siphon and Carbon Monoxide Risk

One of the largest items to be recalled is the Bosch Buderus Boiler. This blue-encased oil-condensing boiler is a modern and compact design that should be capable of warming a reasonably sized home or commercial building. The bad news is that these boilers have a siphon flaw. The air siphon can become blocked which can lead to a delayed ignition which can damage the boiler’s exhaust system. The delayed ignition and damage can, from there, create a carbon monoxide hazard inside the building.The good news is that only 170 of these boilers were sold, though they were sold between 2008 and 2012. Thankfully, no incidents of injury or property damage have been reported.

Solution: 

Anyone who owns one of these blue Bosch boilers should reach out to Bosch immediately. They will consult with you about the product and then provide a free repair to put your boiler back into use. For buildings that need to keep using the boiler before repairs can take place, be sure to set out carbon monoxide detectors in each room to ensure that the air is safe to breathe with a potential monoxide source in the house. 

TJ Maxx Items Sold After Recall

Finally, there is a whole collection of items that have been recalled in the past yet were still being sold in TJ Maxx brand-family stores. These stores also included Marshalls and HomeGoods.There were 19 total products whose recalls were ignored by the TJ Maxx brand-family of stores such that flawed products continued to be sold. The items include baby items, electronics, dishware, furniture, clothing, toys, watches, and door hardware. The three we’ll be looking at more closely relate to electronics and appliance care, but be aware of all 19 products that may need to be repaired or refunded.

ION Portable Speakers

• Recall Date: May 21, 2019
• Hazard: Explosion Hazard from a Leaking Battery
• Solution: Contact ION

The ION portable speakers were recalled earlier this year in May because the batteries leak. However, the leaking substance is hydrogen gas which is highly explosive. This creates an explosion hazard for ION portable speakers sold between 2016 and 2019

Kids II Rocking Sleeper

• Recall Date: April 26, 2019
• Hazard: Infants Can Roll Unrestrained
• Solution: Contact Kids II

Rocking sleepers do not have a mechanical problem, but a safety concern for infants. Infants in the Kids II rocking sleeper may be able to flip onto their stomachs if unrestrained. This can lead to breathing hazards that put infants at risk of fatality. Contact Kids II if you have a rocking sleeper sold between 2012 and 2019.

Swagway Scooter Board

• Recall Date: July 6, 2016
• Hazard: Batteries Overheat and Catch Fire
• Solution: Contact Swagway

The Swagway scooter board sales are the biggest oversight, as these boards were recalled back in 2016 when it was discovered that the Litium-ion batteries are capable of overheating. This overheating can lead to products smoking, catching fire, and even exploding. Not a toy to leave with children or adults. 

Do You Have a Recalled Product?

Check your home appliances and products against the national recall list to find out if you own any recalled products. If you do, don’t panic. Simply stop using the product and follow the recommended steps to receive a repair, replacement, or refund of the hazardous item. And if you need a repair not related to the recall, our appliance repair technicians are ready to help.