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Sunbeam microwave ovens

11 reports to CPSC, the latest made Apr 4, 2021. A report isn’t a recall.

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

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At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.

  • 11reports to CPSC
  • Apr 4, 2021the latest report was made
  • Dec 29, 2011the earliest
  • 2with the company’s comments
Brand
Sunbeam
Makers
Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd, CURTIS INTERNATIONAL LTD and LG Electronics, USA, and 1 otherMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product
Microwave ovensCPSC’s product type: Microwave Ovens (code 264), in Kitchen: Appliances

By month

2 reports from May 2020 to April 2021; the most in April 2021, 1. 9 earlier reports, since December 2011, are in the table.
The numbers, as a table
Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
MonthReports
April 20211
February 20211
July 20171
May 20161
April 20131
March 20131
October 20121
August 20121
March 20121
February 20121
December 20111

How badly anyone was hurt

  • Hurt, no treatment 2 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
  • No one hurt 8 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.

Source:

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

  1. No one hurt

    Made Apr 4, 2021, sent to the company Apr 9, 2021, published by CPSC Apr 23, 2021

    The product, in the report: Microwave

    Just started microwave and smelled smoked looked in and saw flashes of light inside it. All I had in it was a Corell bowl with a small amount of white chocolate. Flames came out and melted spot above the metal Plate in the right.

    Model
    Sgb8901
    Serial number
    TB818040300732
    Bought from
    Walmart, Oklahoma
    Bought
    Dec 1, 2018
    Where
    Norman, Oklahoma: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 62, Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  2. Hurt, no treatment

    Made Feb 27, 2021, sent to the company Mar 17, 2021, published by CPSC Mar 31, 2021

    The product, in the report: Sunbeam Microwave Model #SGB8901 - please read the reviews and look at the photos of the units that have caught fire. https://www.target.com/p/sunbeam-0-9-cu-ft-900w-microwave-oven---black---sgb8901/-/A-13288321

    I purchased a microwave Sunbeam Model #SGB8901 on November 29, 2019. I only use this about twice a week. Today, I turned it on and within 10 seconds I smelled smoke. I looked inside the microwave and there were flaming coming from the inside right wall of the appliance. I unplugged it and when I opened it, you could see the smoke and smell plastic burning. The smoke was so toxic, it triggered an asthma attack. When I went to look on the Target site to look up my purchase, there are several complaints of this model catching fire and burning just like mine did. I called Sunbeam and spoke with [REDACTED]. She told me that since I was out of my 1 year warranty window, there was nothing they could do.

    Model
    SGB8901
    UPC
    GZMW19D6216767
    Bought from
    Target
    Bought
    Nov 29, 2019
    Where
    Atlantic Beach, Florida: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 58, Female
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
  3. No one hurt

    Made Jul 23, 2017, sent to the company Sep 27, 2017, published by CPSC Oct 12, 2017

    The product, in the report: Countertop Microwave Oven

    Sunbeam brand Microwave magnetron would not shutoff western door was closed. Called customer support and they indicated that it was simply the fan, not the magnetron, and that I should let it run to cool off. I did this and a few minutes latest smelled burning and checked and it was the microwave. I immediately unplugged it and called the assistance line back and they indicated there was nothing they could do. This product should be recalled. It could have caused a fire.

    Model
    SGB8901
    Where
    Columbus, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 33, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Zhongshan Galanz Consumer Electric Appliances Co.,Ltd
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  4. No one hurt

    Made May 13, 2016, sent to the company Jun 15, 2016, published by CPSC Jun 9, 2016

    The product, in the report: Sunbeam 600 Watt Microwave Oven SBM6500W

    Our Sunbeam 600 Watt Microwave Oven SBM6500W microwave caught fire this morning while cooking a bowl of oatmeal. The fire was not due to an unclean microwave, we keep our microwave very clean and the fire was not related to any of the items in the microwave which were a microwave safe ceramic bowl and oatmeal. The fire started in the inside of the microwave on the upper right hand interior side behind the middle air vent. I threw it out the backdoor and dumped a few buckets of water on it because I didn’t have time to search for a fire extinguisher and fortunately besides the destroyed microwave nothing else was damaged and nobody was injured.

    Model
    SBM6500W
    Where
    Somerville, Massachusetts: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by LG Electronics, USA
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  5. Not said

    Made Apr 17, 2013, sent to the company May 1, 2013, published by CPSC May 15, 2013

    The product, in the report: Sunbeam Microwave oven, Model SGG5702 700 Watt, color Black

    Sunbeam Microwave Model SGG5702 700 watt

    The unit is rusting inside, specifically, the paint on the rim above at the opening of the inside of the microwave has peeled off and rust is exposed. There is also rust below the glass dish turnstyle. The rust on the rim does flake off and can be seen on the floor of the microwave and can go into the food or beverage being heated.

    Model
    SGG5702
    Serial number
    G581008C2646
    Bought from
    Walmart, Rhode Island
    Bought
    Nov 5, 2010
    Where
    Providence, Rhode Island: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Unspecified
  6. Hurt, no treatment

    Made Mar 25, 2013, sent to the company Apr 10, 2013, published by CPSC Apr 24, 2013

    The product, in the report: Sunbeam microwave SGB8901 - black

    Sunbeam microwave oven SGB8901. The unit is about one year old. I was heating some food on a china plate covered with “microwave safe” wax paper when the paper caught fire. I (stupidly) retried this the next day and the same thing happened. This time I noticed a change in the sound just before the fire, as if the power level had suddenly jumped. I contacted Sunbeam today, but haven’t yet heard back.

    UPDATE: I’m not interested in reporting the wax paper (the second item) - I’ve used that numerous times without incident. As far as “risk of harm,” the contents of the microwave caught on fire, which might have caused damage to the unit as well as a structure fire. When removing the flaming material from the microwave I burned my hand (slightly) and some pieces of burning material fell onto the floor, which again could have started a fire.

    Model
    SGB8901
    Serial number
    tab81112102533
    Bought from
    Target
    Bought
    Mar 5, 2012, about then
    Where
    Malta, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 64, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
  7. No one hurt

    Made Oct 10, 2012, sent to the company Oct 23, 2012, published by CPSC Nov 6, 2012

    The product, in the report: SUNBEAM MICROWAVE OVEN MODEL#SGB8901 SERIAL NUMBER#TAB81106102438

    While re heating some leftovers microwave caught on fire, the vent on right side had flames shooting out it and burned the roof of microwave, luckily I was nearby when it happened otherwise a fire could have started. While it was on fire it was making a loud crackling noise almost like the sound of popcorn popping..

    Model
    SGB8901
    Serial number
    #TAB81106102438
    Bought from
    Target, California
    Bought
    Oct 1, 2011
    Where
    Union City, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 50, Female
    The reporter’s relation to them
    My Child
    As this report names them
    Brand SUNBEAM, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    Reports CPSC links to it
    20121112-2D2BA-2147462019
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  8. No one hurt

    Made Aug 7, 2012, sent to the company Aug 27, 2012, published by CPSC Sep 11, 2012

    The product, in the report: 0.9 countertop microwave model: SGB8901

    Had a kids t.v dinner in microwave and 10 seconds later it started to spark and actually caught on fire. I called company and since i dont have receipt they cant help me. Unit is only 3 months old. I actually blamed the tv dinner, but after pizza pocket is hard on one side and frozen other half or chicken nuggets burn and other frozen. How can i get them to take responsibility.

    Model
    SGB8901
    Bought from
    target
    Bought
    May 1, 2012
    Where
    hacienda heights, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  9. No one hurt

    Made Mar 28, 2012, sent to the company Apr 5, 2012, published by CPSC Apr 19, 2012

    The product, in the report: Sunbeam Microwave

    Sparks and a small flame occurred while popping bagged popcorn. After contacting the company they stated that this was normal that the mica board (panel on side of microwave) will catch fire if food particles are on it. Further, I was at fault for the fire because I didn’t properly maintain the microwave. My microwave is spotless. The representative I spoke to, a manager, said even water vapor or oil vapor can settle on the board and ignite. This is a serious hazard and this model and any models with mica boards should be removed from your home and off market shelves. If I didn’t catch the fire it could have burn’t down the house. Moreover, this could have happened when one of my children were using it.

    Model
    SGB8901
    Serial number
    tab80911705058
    Where
    Michigan: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 35, Female
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  10. No one hurt

    Made Feb 24, 2012, sent to the company Mar 9, 2012, published by CPSC Mar 23, 2012

    The product, in the report: Sunbeam Microwave

    Tried to melt coconut oil in small bowl, after less than 10 seconds it started making loud sounds & sparks. Thought maybe the bowl was made out of something unsafe (it appears to be clear glass or [REDACTED] or very hard plastic of some sort). Tried melting coconut oil again a few days later, in what was more clearly a bowl made of safe glass. Sparks & scary noises again. Thought that maybe coconut oil is somehow not microwave safe. As far as I know, roommates continued using microwave without incident over the past few days.

    Tried to nuke some Chinese leftovers in a porcelain bowl. Microwave caught on fire. Not the food or the dish, but a part of the inside wall of the microwave where there are little vent holes caught on fire. This was, again, after only a few short seconds of nuking. Had I not been nearby to blow it out immediately, I’m not sure how quickly it would have turned into a house fire.

    Model
    SMW750
    Serial number
    SB10551
    Bought from
    roommate’s old microwave
    Where
    Burlington, Vermont: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by CURTIS INTERNATIONAL LTD
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  11. No one hurt

    Made Dec 29, 2011, sent to the company Jan 25, 2012, published by CPSC Feb 8, 2012

    The product, in the report: microwave oven

    Microwave oven caught fire after :15 seconds use. Fire occured internally on upper inside right wall of unit and burned through to inside of oven. Fire was seen flickering through door and smell of electronic smoke present. Stop button was depressed and unit unplugged.

    The unit was one year old and received normal household use. It was a Sunbeam microwave purchased from Target Stores.

    Product information from back of unit: Sunbeam Products, Inc. Model # SGB8901 Serial# TAB80908007595 Input 120V~60Hz/single Phase 1350W Output 900W, 2450mhz Made in Shunde, China Manufacture Date: August 2009 Distributed By Foshan Shunde Galanz

    Model
    Model # SGB8901
    Serial number
    TAB80908007595
    Bought from
    Target
    Bought
    Oct 20, 2010, about then
    Where
    Cypress, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Sunbeam, made or sold by Foshan Shunde Galanz Microwave Oven Electrical Appliance Ltd
    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.

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.

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Source:

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

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