Sears water heaters, kind not given

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Jan 27, 2021 · , sent to the company Feb 22, 2021 · , published by CPSC Mar 8, 2021

   The product, in the report: Sears 50 gallon gas water heater Model 153.330290

   I have one of the A. O. Smith recalled water heaters (Model Number 153.330290, Serial Number 1144T450775). The water heater burner and controller were replaced via the CPSC recall process (CPSC Recall Number 19-029) on April 21, 2020. In early November 2020, the water heater burner started to make a loud humming noise 10 seconds after the burner is ignited and lasts 2 seconds. In early December 2020, it also started to make a second much louder humming sound after another 25 seconds that lasts 10 seconds. I would not have expected a new burner to have this problem. Either the burner is defective or the installation was not correctly done. This is a serious issue because the burner is vibrating (humming) when it is heating, and it could eventually physically tear and cause a fire.

   I send an e-mail to Ashland City Support (help@hotwater.com) who had originally provided the list of plumbers to perform the recall. They responded that this is not their problem and to contact Sears at 888-287-9322. Although the burner assembly was part of the recall, they claim that “Only the gas control valve was part of the recall, we replaced the burner assembly as a courtesy.” Per the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice, “The water heater’s gas burner screen develops tears. The water heater’s burner can then create excess radiant heat, posing a fire hazard if the water heater is installed directly on a wood or other combustible floor.” Thus, the burner assembly was part of the recall and not a “courtesy.” Claiming that it was a “courtesy” is a fraud.

   The telephone number that they provided for Sears is a non-working number that is always busy. After further e-mail exchanges, they said to contact Sears at 800-469-4663. I have also called the telephone number for Sears (866-880-4661) on the CPSC recall notice, but I have not had any success in speaking to someone about the recall. I am always transferred to a non-working number.

   Sears had also failed in the recall process. The CPSC recall notice was published on November 6, 2018, but Sears never contacted me even though they have my mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number. I only found out about the recall in April 2020.

   Request that you direct A. O. Smith to properly redo the water heater burner recall that was not done properly the first time. They need to determine if the replacement burner had been properly installed and if not, fix it. If the replacement burner was installed properly, then they need to install another replacement burner. Thank you for your assistance.

   Model

   153.330290

   Serial number

   1144T450775

   Bought from

   Sears

   Bought

   Feb 1, 2012

   Where

   Fountain Valley, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unknown

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Sears, made or sold by Sears Holdings Management Corporation

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources