Use the complete model and serial on the manufacturer's and government recall databases; model family alone is not enough. Keep proof of purchase, photos and the exact symptom, and do not pay for recall work until eligibility is confirmed. First, photograph the rating label and record purchase date, seller and symptom without posting the serial publicly.
What this covers
- A household appliance in the United States; other countries use their local safety authority
What it does not cover
Try in this order
0 of 9 completedEstablish the exact starting state
ReversiblePhotograph the rating label and record purchase date, seller and symptom without posting the serial publicly.
Separate the fault or decision boundary
ReversibleCheck manufacturer warranty/service campaigns separately from government safety recalls.
Apply the narrowest correction
ReversibleContact the named official channel and obtain a case number, eligibility and remedy in writing.
Photograph the label and gather your paperwork
ReversibleTake a photograph of the rating label with the full model and serial number, and find the purchase date, the seller and the invoice. Write down the exact symptom and when it began, and avoid posting the serial number in public.
Check warranty, service campaigns and government recalls separately
ReversibleLook up the manufacturer's warranty terms and any service campaign, and check the government safety-recall database for your model. They are different lists and a product can appear on one and not the other.
Use the official channel and keep a written record
ReversibleContact the manufacturer or the named recall contact, ask for a case number, the eligibility and the remedy in writing, and do not pay for recall work. Confirm any technician or repair kit is part of the official program and keep the completion record.
Search by product category and by company, then match the label
ReversibleUse the category filter for the appliance type and the company search for the maker. Compare the recall's model and batch numbers with the label on your unit.
Subscribe to alerts if you own older appliances
ReversibleCPSC's recall emails and RSS feed mean a future recall comes to you instead of you having to search for it.
Verify before escalating
ReversibleConfirm the technician/ship kit belongs to the official program and retain completion documentation.
CPSC
How the recall database is organized and what a notice tells you
The federal recall database is public and searchable; these are the filters and fields it provides.
- How to search
- CPSC lists recalls newest first, going back to 1973, and lets you filter by date range, hazard type, product category and manufacturing location. It also offers a search by company.
- What a notice contains
- A hazard description, the remedy (refund, repair, replacement or disposal instructions), the number of units affected, and consumer contact details for claiming the remedy.
- Model and batch numbers
- Notices tell you where to find the identifying numbers. One refrigerator recall, for example, says to look for the model and batch number on a label inside the door.
- Alerts and reporting
- CPSC offers recall emails and an RSS feed, and an unsafe product can be reported through SaferProducts.gov.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Stop using an appliance that has a safety recall until the maker's remedy is done, and report any fire, shock or injury to the maker and the safety authority.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
The searchable recall tool rather than the landing page — matches the instruction to look the appliance up by manufacturer.
Filters, notice contents, alerts, SaferProducts.gov.
Example notice with the model and batch label location.
Exact questions
Common questions about “Check an appliance warranty, recall or service program”
How do I find out if my appliance has been recalled?+
Search the government recall database and the manufacturer's recall page using the full model and serial number.
Is a recall repair free?+
Usually yes; the remedy is provided by the maker. Do not pay for work that a recall covers.
What is a service bulletin?+
A notice to technicians about a known issue and its fix. It is not a recall, but it may explain a fault your appliance has.
What if I don't have the receipt?+
Try the seller's or the maker's records, a bank statement or the delivery paperwork. Some warranties start from the manufacture date.
What remedies can a recall offer?+
CPSC notices state the remedy: refund, repair, replacement or disposal instructions, along with contact details for the company.
Where do I report an unsafe product?+
Through SaferProducts.gov, which CPSC links to from its recall pages.
What information does a recall search need?+
The full model and serial number, as the affected range may depend on the manufacture date. Check the manufacturer's site and the government recall database.
Does a warranty transfer to a new owner?+
Some do and some do not. Check the terms and keep proof of the original purchase or installation date.
What should I keep before requesting service?+
The model and serial numbers, proof of purchase, photos of the fault and the steps you tried. It speeds up the claim.