Appliance Recalls

I was performing a home inspection today and I was taking down the model number and serial numbers of all the appliances, like we do for all of our home inspections, when the customer said that she wasn't that interested with the idea of having the appliances checked for recalls.


That's when it dawned on me.  I wasn't explaining it the right way.  So here is a short ( I mean short ) history lesson.  In 1974 the  Consumer Products Safety Commission mandated that when a known risk is apparent, the manufacturer must notify the consumer.  This is why there is warranty cards to fill out, so the manufacturer knows who to contact in case of a recall.  Now here is a sticking point, when someone moves, the recall notice goes to the new address, not with the person buying the house with appliances included.  That is reason number one for the Recallchek, not the number one reason. 


80% - That is the number of recalls that result in fires from:

• Improperly insulated wiring
• Overheating motors/ relays
• Component failures you can't see

A recalled appliance might work fine, and even the most trained expert with all the proper equipment can't detect the slight engineering  defects.  These components, like relays for example, over heat over a period of time and can melt down and stop working.  That is a good scenario, the worst case scenario, cause a devastating fire.

So if you hear someone talking about a recall, don't think inconvenient failure, think catastrophic failure and how it might effect your family.  And keep in mind, if there is a recall on an appliance, the manufacturer will make the repairs in-home, and most of the time for FREE.  The Recallchek report informs you who to call and how to go about getting it fixed.  Like I said, its FREE, so why would you risk your families safety.  Get them checked and get them fixed.