NHTSA recall 08E040000 · Equipment
Equipment
The defect
Atwood IS recalling 1,731 water heaters, models 96202, 96117, 96110, 94186, and 94180, manufactured between may 20 and june 9, 2008, installed as original equipment in various recreational vehicles and sold as aftermarket or replacement equipment. the water heaters were produced with gas vales that can leak internally.
The risk
A gas leak in the gas valve could cause a fire in the presence of an ignition source. additionally, if conditions were such that leaking propane could build, trapped in the enclosure or find its way into the cabin, any ignition source could cause an explosion.
The remedy
Atwood IS working with the vehicle manufacturers to notify owners. the remedy IS to replace the complete water heater or in those instances where the water heater IS installed in a recreational vehicle, the valve will be replaced free of charge. each vehicle manufacturer will submit a defect report and file a remedy plan. the recall began on june 6, 2008. owners should contact their vehicle manufacturer for more information. if you have purchased a water heater as replacement equipment, you should contact atwood at 1-574-266-4826.