REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452

Jul 24, 2002 — Recall Campaign #02E044000

REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1987 AND MAY 1995. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 180,455 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

02E044000

Manufacturer:	Norcold Inc.
Recall date:	July 24, 2002
NHTSA Campaign #:	02E044000
Units affected:	180,455

Description:: REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1987 AND MAY 1995. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.
Consequeces:: THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Corrective action:: NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND OFFER A NEW LIKE-SIZE REFRIGERATOR AT NO CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-937-497-3080.
Notes:: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CANCONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR

0 NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR Complaints
Hooked camper up to our tow vehicle. Went inside to prepare to leave our storage. Husband turned the propane on and I pressed Further start button on the refrigerator once the pilot light ignited. After less than one minute an error message began beeping on the digital LCD pad to alert that there was a disconnect from the power source being used. Five seconds later it stopped, and the LCD went blank. I shouted to my husband to check the propane because the refrigerator had stopped and he confirmed that it was still running. I hit the start button again several times and nothing occurred. As I turned to go out the door I noticed a faint, small plume of smoke. My husband rushed in and did confirm a slight ozone smell before turning back outside to note smoke from the top vent where the refrigerator lies. He immediately shut the propane off and returned to remove the upper vent while I grabbed the fire extinguisher. As I returned, I immediately noticed flames and smoke from the lower vent. My husband quickly removed that vent cover and extinguish the fire with the extinguisher. Once out, he returned inside to turn off the circuit breakers, followed by unplugging the refrigerator cord from the wall, which is accessible through the lower vent. We thoroughly inspected the entire slide to be assured the fire was completely extinguished. I made a claim to Progressive the next day. We arranged to have a progressive inspector look at the camper at our local RV service center Harler Auto and Glen’s RV service in Romeo Michigan. The assigned inspector, Andy M made his assessment on Friday, XXX and called us the same afternoon to inform us that based on his inspection, it was determined that the damages were due to and confined to a mechanical/electrical failure, and not the result of a sudden, direct, and accidental loss. He was confident that this was due to a manufacturing defect and informed me that there were multiple known recalls on this particular product.;