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Whirlpool gas water heaters

11 reports to CPSC, the latest made Jun 28, 2024. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search, on saferproducts.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.

At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.

  • 11reports to CPSC
  • Jun 28, 2024the latest report was made
  • May 22, 2014the earliest
  • 0with the company’s comments
Brand
Whirlpool
Makers
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, American Water Heaters and A. O. Smith Water Products CompanyMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product
Gas water heatersCPSC’s product type: Gas Water Heaters (code 118), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Plumbing & Bath
Other ways the reports write the brand (1)

“Whirlpool Ultra Low Gas Water Heater with Flame Lock safety”

By month

2 reports from July 2023 to June 2024; the most in June 2024, 1. 9 earlier reports, since May 2014, are in the table.
The numbers, as a table
Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
MonthReports
June 20241
February 20241
January 20231
April 20221
April 20211
March 20211
May 20191
November 20181
August 20151
April 20151
May 20141

How badly anyone was hurt

  • Hurt, no treatment 2 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
  • No one hurt 9 CPSC: Incident, No Injury

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

Source:

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  1. No one hurt

    Made Jun 28, 2024, sent to the company Jul 2, 2024, published by CPSC Jul 17, 2024

    The product, in the report: Product# - 40T6-40UNG 400 Capacity - 40gal Serial# - 1708105060863

    The Burner in my water heater began blowing flames and popping out fireballs until I shut off the gas line and regulator. The water had turned on after I had taken a shower and ran for only a few minutes before the gas began igniting underneath.

    Model
    40T6-40UNG 400
    Serial number
    1708105060863
    Bought from
    Lowe’s
    Bought
    Jun 14, 2017, about then
    Where
    Citrus Heights, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by American Water Heaters
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  2. No one hurt

    Made Feb 15, 2024, sent to the company Mar 4, 2024, published by CPSC Mar 18, 2024

    The product, in the report: Whirlpool water heater 50T12-40UNG 400. 50 Gallon Natural Gas Ultra-Low NOx

    Explosion sounds coming from my water heater.

    Model
    50T12-40UNG 400
    Serial number
    1650104259012
    Bought from
    Lowes Home Improvement, California
    Bought
    Jan 2, 2017, about then
    Where
    dublin, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by American Water Heaters
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  3. No one hurt

    Made Jan 20, 2023, sent to the company Jan 24, 2023, published by CPSC Feb 7, 2023

    The product, in the report: Water tank

    Leaking gas from my whirlpool water tank with a Robert Shaw gas valve install. Leaking gas wright under the top of the valve, on and off knob

    Model
    BFG1F5040T3NOV
    UPC
    211456/6603427
    Serial number
    1037T421552
    Where
    Chicago, United States: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  4. Hurt, no treatment

    Made Apr 15, 2022, sent to the company Apr 20, 2022, published by CPSC May 4, 2022

    The product, in the report: 40 gallon Whirlpool hot water heater with a Robert Shaw 110 gas valve

    Gas leaking from hot water heater

    Model
    BFG1J50040T3NOV
    UPC
    6603427
    Serial number
    0643128225
    Where
    Grapevine, Texas: Unspecified
    Who was involved
    Age 10, Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    My Child
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by American Water Heaters
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
  5. No one hurt

    Made Apr 21, 2021, sent to the company Apr 23, 2021, published by CPSC May 7, 2021

    The product, in the report: whirlpool nu40t61-403, ultra low nox gas water heater. 40 gallon, manufactured by US/[REDACTED] Water Heating company (AO Smith brand).

    Flames shooting out from the front of the water heater burner assembly, near bottom of water heater

    Model
    nu40t61-403
    UPC
    333578100
    Serial number
    14421000350440
    Bought from
    Lowes Burbank
    Bought
    Jun 3, 2015, about then
    Where
    Glendale, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 38, Female
    The reporter’s relation to them
    My Spouse
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by A. O. Smith Water Products Company
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  6. No one hurt

    Made Mar 22, 2021, sent to the company Mar 29, 2021, published by CPSC Apr 12, 2021

    The product, in the report: 50 gallon natural gas water heater, sold by Lowes in California.

    Flames blow out of the front of the water heater when it lights and the flame runs with a sputtering sound. The flames blew out directly in our faces as were were investigating the sputtering sound. This water heater is already subject to recall, but two online registration attempts have been ignored and calls to the toll free number are either disconnected after a recording plays or you are left on indefinite hold that is never answered.

    Model
    NU50T61-403
    Serial number
    1439100260685
    Bought from
    LOWES
    Bought
    Dec 15, 2014, about then
    Where
    Galt, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 64, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by A. O. Smith Water Products Company
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  7. No one hurt

    Made May 20, 2019, sent to the company Jun 7, 2019, published by CPSC Jun 21, 2019

    The product, in the report: Gas Water heater model number NU501T122-403. Product number 0733326

    Model number NU50T122-403 Whirlpool brand water heater is under recall. I received a letter in the mail back in February to enter the serial number of my gas water heater if it is part of the recall or not. I entered the serial number online and since my water heater has a pan underneath it is not part of the recall. I disagree with this because last Saturday we heard a loud humming sound and popping sounds. The fire on the burner is getting bigger and scared that this might cause fire because our water heater is also running on gas. This also explain why out water is sometimes scalding hot (burn hazard) even the water heater is at low. We immediately turn off the water heater and technical support confirmed that our water heater is being recalled but was told that we are not affected because of the pan. If we did not catch this, there is a potential fire and burn hazard waiting to happen. I think that all water heaters with or without pans should be fixed or replaced. We have children in the house so the probability of scalding is high.

    Model
    NU501T122-403
    Serial number
    1420T452297
    Bought from
    Lowe’s, California
    Bought
    Jul 14, 2014
    Where
    OXNARD, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by American Water Heaters
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  8. No one hurt

    Made Nov 14, 2018, sent to the company Dec 7, 2018, published by CPSC Dec 21, 2018

    The product, in the report: Whirlpool 50 gal Nat. Gas Hot water heater

    The Hot Water Heater sound like a blow torch lately. Finally it quit working melted the wire on the Thermopile assembly. Looks like the burner assembly got to HOT.

    Model
    #NU50T 121-403
    UPC
    0733323
    Serial number
    #1235472391
    Bought from
    Lowe’s, Oklahoma
    Bought
    Aug 30, 2012
    Where
    Grove, Oklahoma: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool Ultra Low Gas Water Heater with Flame Lock safety, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  9. No one hurt

    Made Aug 3, 2015, sent to the company Aug 24, 2015, published by CPSC Sep 8, 2015

    The product, in the report: whirlpool gas water heater model: BFG1F4040S3NOV ser# 0824T433371 with robvertshaw gas valve model: 64-LF8-376R110RATSPL

    robertshaw water heater gas valve leaks. both whirlpool and robertshaw claim no responsibility. this valve has leaked off and on for several years but I was not able to find it. I guess due to hot weather, the valve has leaked for the last two weeks and bubble testing showed nothing. I did a web search and found out the valve leaks from a control knob that is very seldom ever moved once set. the robertshaw model is: 64-LF8-376R110RATSPL . WEB SEARCH TURNS UP THIS TO BE A PROBLEMATIC DESIGN WITH LEAKS OVER SEVERAL BRANDS. in the past, the r110 was subject to recalls but I guess the problem still exists in the newer valves. news recently reported houses exploding due to gas leaks and maybe this could be a source.

    Model
    BFG1F4040S3NOV
    UPC
    3210597
    Serial number
    0824T433371
    Bought from
    lowes
    Bought
    Jul 3, 2008
    Where
    abbeville, Louisiana: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand WHIRLPOOL, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  10. No one hurt

    Made Apr 23, 2015, sent to the company May 18, 2015, published by CPSC Jun 2, 2015

    The product, in the report: Water Heater

    Consumer stated that while he and his wife was sitting in a room they heard a loud bang. In his investigations he discovered that the water heater had an exposed flame emitting from the gas inlet. He turned off the gas to contain the flame and when he re-started it there was a ball of fire that shot from the tank and then the fire started again. He immediately turned it off.

    (4/20) The retailer was contacted and they informed him to go to the manufacturer for a RA number and take it back to them so that they could replace the unit.

    The manufacturer was not contacted as yet.

    Caller feels that this unit is a fire hazard and should be reported.

    Model
    NU50T91-403
    Bought from
    Lowe’s, California
    Bought
    Apr 7, 2012
    Where
    Laguna, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  11. Hurt, no treatment

    Made May 22, 2014, sent to the company Jun 25, 2014, published by CPSC Jul 10, 2014

    The product, in the report: 40 gallon Hot water tank

    06/01/2013-The consumer stated that he noticed that the indicator light on his hot water tank had turned off by itself and the water was not being heated. This tank is located in an utility room in the same level as the 1 floor house. Immediately, he contacted the retailer. The retailer offered to repair the device for a fee. The consumer declined the offer.

    06/02/2013- The consumer contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer sent troubleshooting instructions via email to the consumer. If the procedure was followed as instructed the result would be that the water tank would reset and would work properly afterwards. The consumer stated that he does not have a background knowledge or technical training on how to repair this issue and that he explained this to the manufacturer. The manufacturer advised that this kind of knowledge was not required and to perform the troubleshooting procedure.

    The manufacturer’s troubleshooting procedure was the following: The consumer had to turn the water setting to off. Then he would have to leave it in the “off” position for 20 minutes. Then he had to change the setting to pilot. In order to do so, he had to push the setting switch and push the ignitor switch at the same time. This would ignite the gas to produce a flame to heat the water. Then he had to hold the setting switch and wait for 90 seconds or until he heard a “click” sound. Following this the indicator light would turn on. This meant that the water tank has been reset and was running properly.

    The consumer stated that he repeated the procedure multiple times without any incidents. The consumer indicated that the water tank malfunctioned the same manner multiple times over a two year period, so he continued to repeat the reset procedure over that time period.

    05/20/2014- The consumer noticed the indicator light on his hot water tank had turned off by itself and the water was not being heated. The consumer followed the manufacturer’s procedure. The consumer was looking underneath the water tank, while he was holding the setting switch waiting for the indicator light to turn on, a loud “popping sound” and a flame emanated from underneath the water tank towards his face and burnt his eyelashes and his hair.The consumer’s skin was not burnt and no other injuries were reported. Immediately he turned off the device and inspected the gas supply. The flame was extinguished by itself, then smoke started emanating from the same area where the flames were coming from. The consumer shut off the gas supply and opened the windows to ventilate the area.

    5/21/14 The consumer contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer offered to replace the item but the consumer would have to pay for the labor. The consumer agreed.

    05/21/14- The consumer contacted his attorney general’s office and was referred to CPSC.

    05/22/14- The manufacturer picked up the defective water tank and replaced it with a new one.

    The consumer believes this product poses a fire hazard.

    No relevant CPSC recalls were found.

    Model
    Not available
    Bought from
    Rotto Rutter Plumbing, Ohio
    Bought
    Feb 2, 2012
    Where
    Huber Heights, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 35, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Source:

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

Sources
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

    Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

Back to Gas water heaters

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Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

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Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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