Whirlpool electric water heaters
13 reports to CPSC, the latest made Oct 6, 2020. A report isn’t a recall.
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.
- 13reports to CPSC
- Oct 6, 2020the latest report was made
- May 11, 2011the earliest
- 0with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Whirlpool
- Makers
- WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION and American Water HeatersMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Electric water heatersCPSC’s product type: Electric Water Heaters (code 119), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Plumbing & Bath
Other ways the reports write the brand (1)
“Whirlpool Energy Smart Residential Electric Water Heater”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| October 2020 | 1 |
| January 2017 | 1 |
| June 2015 | 1 |
| January 2015 | 1 |
| October 2014 | 1 |
| January 2014 | 1 |
| February 2013 | 1 |
| June 2012 | 1 |
| May 2012 | 1 |
| April 2012 | 1 |
| September 2011 | 1 |
| June 2011 | 1 |
| May 2011 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- First aid 1 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
- No one hurt 11 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
- Not said 1 CPSC: Unspecified
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.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Oct 6, 2020, sent to the company Nov 25, 2020, published by CPSC Dec 10, 2020
The product, in the report: WHIRLPOOL 50 Gallon Electric Water Heater - 6 Year Warranty Model E1F50RD045V Serial 1327T461528 Date of Installation 08/9/2013
WHIRLPOOL 50 Gallon Electric Water Heater - 6 Year Warranty Model E1F50RD045V Serial 1327T461528 Date of Installation 08/9/2013
9/10/2020 water heater quit heating - Found heater elements were ok, but bottom wires were completely burned through and the wire insulation charred for about 2 inches. Plastic cover was burned through also.
Unit has been in typical home use and the access panels had never been opened prior to this incident.
No injuries were sustained. Damage was confined to the water heater wires, insulation and plastic protective cover.
- Model
- E1F50RD045V
- Serial number
- 1327T461528
- Bought from
- Home Depot, Arizona
- Bought
- Aug 9, 2013
- Where
- MESA, Arizona: 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
-
No one hurt Made Jan 9, 2017, sent to the company Feb 2, 2017, published by CPSC Feb 16, 2017
The product, in the report: Energy Smart control system, number on the front is 6603471, number on the electric grid on the inside is 6603491. unit was in the house when i purchased it, in 2008.
My husband was downstairs and noticed a burning smell, upon investigation he noticed the unit on top of our water heater smoking. He pulled the circuit breaker and opened the unit to find the wires inside smoldering. I have researched the unit online and I found several complaints but no official recall. One man reported that he has had this issue 2 times or more, and Whirlpool offers a replacement panel. I think if it has happened with different panels they need to make a new fix all together. luckily people have been catching this before their homes are destroyed
- Model
- 6603471
- Where
- north beach, Maryland: 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
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No one hurt Made Jun 2, 2015, sent to the company Jun 10, 2015, published by CPSC Jun 24, 2015
The product, in the report: Whirlpool Energy Smart 50 gallon electric water heater
I have owned two Whirlpool “Energy Smart” electric water heaters over the past 10 years. The electrical wiring that connects power to the electronic control circuit board has melted three times, twice on the first heater and once on the second, melting the cover, shorting it out, tripping circuit breakers, and disabling the units.
The first heater, at about 4 years old, was replaced in 2011 after the circuit board twice malfunctioned and melted the electrical wires connecting the heater. The newer heater, approximately 4 years old, has now also melted the electrical connections.
New circuit boards have been the remedy offered by Whirlpool on each occasion.
- Model
- EE3J50RD045V
- Serial number
- 1112T462910
- Bought from
- Lowe’s
- Bought
- Apr 11, 2011, about then
- Where
- Richmond, Kentucky: 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
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First aid Made Jan 7, 2015, sent to the company Jan 16, 2015, published by CPSC Feb 2, 2015
The product, in the report: it is a whirlpool energy smart hot water heater Made by American water heater company/ US Craftmaster/ owned by AO Smith model#ee3250rd055v is is silver/grey in color.
We have a whirlpool energy smart water heater Made by American water heater company/ US Craftmaster/ owned by AO Smith , The Unit was professionally installed a few years back this exact unit states it comes with a lifetime warranty as well, For roughly about the last 2-3 years we noticed no hot water once in a while and you would have to reset the energy smart controls or adjust the energy smart settings up then back down to what was optimal for our usage as i guess it is suppose to learn our usage and adjust itself. Over the last year however we noticed it tripping the circuit breaker and its electrical components becoming intensely hot the other day my oldest son [REDACTED] (30 years old) burned his hand so bad it blistered just touching its components and electrical switches as it has many user selectable options such as heat temperature, energy usage, etc he had then turned down the heat thinking that is why it was so hot a few days later we had no hot water and the breaker was tripped after a quick inspection we noticed all of its electrical components that come preinstalled had ignited it seems to be cause by a faulty energy smart panel and after calling lowes they said they had got many complaints about this happening and a quick search on the net showed other complaints about them overheating , melting, or catching fire. This is a major consumer safety issue.
- Model
- ee3250rd055v
- Serial number
- 0618119722
- Bought from
- lowes
- Bought
- Jan 6, 2009, about then
- Where
- cape coral, Florida: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 30, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand whirlpool, made or sold by American Water Heaters
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
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No one hurt Made Oct 20, 2014, sent to the company Oct 28, 2014, published by CPSC Nov 13, 2014
The product, in the report: Whirlpool 80 gallon hot water tank ModelEE3Z80HD055V
We have a Whirlpool 80 gallon ee3z80hd055v hot water tank. Lack of hot water prompted us to check out the tank. The plastic housing had melted. One of the 220 lines completely burned and broke loose. It even melted the copper. I think we were lucky our house didn’t burn. I have pictures I would like to submit. I found three other identical complaints at [REDACTED]I feel these tanks are a real fire hazzard.
- Model
- ModelEE3Z80HD055V
- Serial number
- 0945T431754
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- Oct 1, 2012, about then
- Where
- Camano Island, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 66, Female
- 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
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No one hurt Made Jan 25, 2014, sent to the company Feb 3, 2014, published by CPSC Feb 19, 2014
The product, in the report: Whirlpool 50 gallon hot water heater.
I have an energy smart 50 gallon Whirlpool hot water heater and the energy smart panel on the top of the hot water heater, heated up so much that it melted the negative wires and the plastic cover over the energy smart panel. The wires almost caught on fire and smoke was rolling out of the panel.
- Model
- EE2H50RD045V
- Serial number
- 0924T419554
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- Jul 13, 2009
- Where
- Hendersonville, North Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 34, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Other Relative
- As this report names them
- Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Feb 1, 2013, sent to the company Feb 11, 2013, published by CPSC Feb 26, 2013
The product, in the report: Whirlpool Smart Saver Electric How Water HEater
1/31/2013 about 9pm EST. My wife went down the basement and said she smelled something funny. We located the smell in a utility closet where the hot water heater is, opened the door, odor was very strong of electrical and plastic burning. Turned the light on, hazy smoke in the closet, took us a few minutes to realize the plastic cover on the “Smart Saver” unit on top of the heater was melted and distorted on top with little curls of smoke still coming out. I quick rush to flip the breaker.
Whirlpool Electric Hot Water HEater Model EE3Z80HD055V, PURCHASED 9/27/2010
We contacted Whirlpool, they are sending parts overnight (2 days) and covering shipping. The [REDACTED] with their water heater, what if my house had burned down.
Wife says she smelled it the night before but very slight odor.
Researched on the internet and I find others reporting the same thing. The only reports that I see are where people were lucky like us to be home and find the unit melting and burning.
Whirlpool clearly knows that they have aproblem with this unit, the customer service phone rep was awfully familiar with this issue as soon as we gave her the model number.
- Model
- EE3Z80HD005V
- Serial number
- 1012T404358
- Bought from
- lOWES, Pennsylvania
- Bought
- Sep 27, 2010
- Where
- Newtown Square, Unspecified: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Spouse
- As this report names them
- Brand Whirlpool, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 20, 2012, sent to the company Jun 28, 2012, published by CPSC Jul 13, 2012
The product, in the report: 40 Gallon E- Smart Electric Water with top mounted electric control board
On Sunday June 10, 2012, the electronic control board on a ~ 4 year old 40 Whirlpool Electric Water Heater caught fire. The unit was purchased from Lowe’s on July 15, 2008 and installed on August 8, 2008. The fire melted the plastic cover, the wire nuts connecting the main power supply to the control board, and some of the insulation on the wire. The unit was a 40 gallon standard electric water heater with an “energy saving” control board mounted on the top of the water heater. Conversation with a professional plumber (friend) indicated that he has seen others melt, but was not aware of any that had burst into flames. Whirlpool/Lowe’s replaced the water heater and now have the defective heater/control board in their possession; I did, however take pictures of the aftermath of the fire. There were no injuries. The potential for serious injury existed, however. Due to the fact that I happened to be within about 3 feet of the heater when it starting popping (sounded like someone hammering on the adjacent wall) and the my local power shut off was right above the water heater, I was able to quickly kill power. i.e. I’m not sure how long it would have kept on burning nor how far the flames could have spread if I had not been present.
- Model
- 40G 9 year E-smart Electric Water Heater
- Serial number
- 0828T423816
- Bought from
- Lowe’s
- Bought
- Jul 15, 2008
- Where
- Pasco, Washington: 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
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No one hurt Made May 30, 2012, sent to the company Jun 6, 2012, published by CPSC Jun 20, 2012
The product, in the report: 50 gallon Water Heater
2 times already the box on top of the water heater has shorted out and actually melted from the heat. Fire hazard! We called the company, they said they will replace it. This should be recalled, not replaced. I read online on other sites this box is defective too. This is dangerous.
- Model
- EESZ50RD055V
- Serial number
- 0343104379
- Bought
- May 30, 2002, about then
- Where
- Hamilton, Ohio: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Whirlpool Energy Smart Residential Electric Water Heater, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Apr 11, 2012, sent to the company May 8, 2012, published by CPSC May 22, 2012
The product, in the report: Whirlpool Electric Water Heater 50 Gallon with Energy Smart on Top
The consumer wanted to express some of her concerns about her 50 gallon electric water heater. The heater is located on the first floor of her two story home. The consumer stated that yesterday she was in the process of leaving her home, when she noticed a peculiar smell in her home. The consumer discovered that the energy saving box on top of the heater was apparently melting on top and there was a burn mark of nearly the diameter of a quarter.
The consumer shut off the box before further damaged ensued. The consumer stated that she did some research online found that consumer’s with similar models were having similar issues. The consumer stated that her home was not damaged and she was not harmed or injured. The consumer did not call the fire department or her home insurance company.
The consumer called the firm yesterday and was told that they can send her another box for the heater overnight at no expense. The consumer requested a service call from the firm and was informed that she had to pay for those services. The consumer has not called the retailer as of now.
- Model
- EE3J50RD045V
- Serial number
- 0605103753
- Bought from
- Lowe’s, Florida
- Bought
- Feb 20, 2006
- Where
- Yulee, Florida: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- 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
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Not said Made Sep 2, 2011, published by CPSC Sep 27, 2011
The product, in the report: electric hot water heater, 40 gallon
At 3am(cst) this morning I heard a crackling noise from my bathroom, when I ran in there to check it out the upper element’s wiring was on fire. I threw the breaker to cut off all electricity and it fizzled out on it’s own. No one was close by or messing with the water heater and no hot water was in use.
- Model
- E1F40RDO45V
- Serial number
- 0433115001
- Bought from
- Lowe’s
- Bought
- Oct 1, 2004, about then
- Where
- Waldo, Arkansas: 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
- Unspecified
-
No one hurt Made Jun 25, 2011, published by CPSC Jul 19, 2011
The product, in the report: 50 gallon, whirlpool, energy efficient, electric water heater -- ee3j5ordo45v. Purchased and installed, 5/24/2010
In May 2010 I purchased a Whirlpool EE3J50RDO45V Electric Water Heater from Lowe’s and installed it. Over the next few months we noticed that it did not heat the water as it should, so we called on the warrantee in November 2011. A technician was sent and they replaced all of the electrical panels and insides to the heater. Yesterday, 6-24-11, I noticed a burning smell and upon investigation discovered the electrical panel smoking and a hole had been burned into the top cover. Had it gone on longer, it would have been the source of a house fire. I turned off the breaker, and it is safe now but we have no water. We contacted Whirlpool, and they claimed that we were outside the warrantee period so they would not replace it. They will send a new board which either I can install or pay someone else to install.
Considering that this was a fire hazard, and their attitude was simply, “sorry you are out of the warrantee by a few months,” I believe it’s worth investigating if others have had similar experiences.
- Model
- ee3j5ordo45v
- UPC
- 0830151
- Serial number
- 1016t428639
- Bought from
- Lowe’s
- Bought
- May 24, 2010
- Where
- Roanoke, Virginia: 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
-
No one hurt Made May 11, 2011, published by CPSC Jun 3, 2011
The product, in the report: Whirlpool Electric Water Heater, Serial # 0953T406794, Model # E2F-40RD045V, Product # 0826354. Color-White
I purchased an Whirlpool Electric Water Heater on January 18, 2010. This is the second Whirlpool Electric Water heater I have purchased in the past eight years. Both had problems with the elements. The water heater I purchased 13 months ago produces water so hot it is scalding. The theromstat is set correctly and the reset button located near the thermostat does not work. Both Whirlpool Water Heater presented with the same element problems.
- Model
- E2F-40RD045V
- Serial number
- 0953T406794
- Bought from
- Lowe’s Home Center, Lawnside, New Jersey
- Bought
- Jan 18, 2010
- Where
- Lindenwold, New Jersey: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- 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
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.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
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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.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.