GE Reveal light bulbs
14 reports to CPSC, the latest made Feb 20, 2019. 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.
- 14reports to CPSC
- Feb 20, 2019the latest report was made
- Nov 29, 2011the earliest
- 0with the company’s comments
- Brand
- GE Reveal
- Makers
- GE Appliances & Lighting and GE LightingMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Light bulbsCPSC’s product type: Light Bulbs (code 627), in Furniture, Furnishings & Decorations: Indoor Lighting
Other ways the reports write the brand (5)
“Reveal”, “Reveal 3 way”, “Reveal 40”, “Reveal Halogen Bulb” and “Reveal by GE”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| February 2019 | 1 |
| November 2017 | 1 |
| February 2017 | 1 |
| December 2016 | 1 |
| November 2016 | 1 |
| December 2015 | 1 |
| January 2015 | 1 |
| September 2013 | 1 |
| August 2013 | 1 |
| May 2013 | 1 |
| April 2013 | 1 |
| October 2012 | 1 |
| March 2012 | 1 |
| November 2011 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- First aid 1 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
- No one hurt 13 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.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Feb 20, 2019, sent to the company Mar 13, 2019, published by CPSC Apr 3, 2019
The product, in the report: 60-Watt Incandescent Light Bulb (4-Pack) GE Lighting.com Product Order Code - 48689 [REDACTED] Bar Code - 4316848689
The submitter is reporting the product for posing a fire and injury hazard. He indicated that the units blow up while in use and has had multiple incidents involving this model.
He said two out of the four bulbs in the pack have exploded. After he purchased the pack, he installed a bulb in a table lamp and shortly after the bulb exploded while the lamp was on. He then installed a second bulb and this bulb exploded last month. He still has the remaining two bulbs from the pack but he doesn’t feel safe using them.
He indicated that he bought a similar pack last year and two of the four bulbs exploded while they were in the table lamp. He does not believe the lamp has been a factor in the incident because he has never had an incident with another brand or model bulb and he has had the lamp for almost 10 years.
He contacted the firm after the first two incidents occurred but he believes they have not corrected the defect and the product poses a serious safety hazard.
- Model
- Unknown
- UPC
- Unknown
- Serial number
- Unknown
- Bought from
- Orchard Supply Hardware, California
- Bought
- Aug 1, 2018, about then
- Where
- Los Angeles, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 66, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand GE Reveal, made or sold by GE Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 28, 2017, sent to the company Dec 5, 2017, published by CPSC Dec 19, 2017
The product, in the report: See above
After installing GE reveal 60W PAR16 Halogen Bulbs, a brief time later the glass shattered in one blub raining hot glass down on the kitchen counter as the small bulb continued to burn. About a week later a second bulb shattered. Fortunately no one was in the kitchen when these events occurred. I found on the internet that [REDACTED] has recalled the exact same bulb because of that same problem making me suspect they were manufactured by the same people. In any event these are dangerous bulbs and should be taken off the market. Please respond.
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Where
- Knoxville, Tennessee: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand GE Reveal, made or sold by GE Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Feb 15, 2017, sent to the company Mar 29, 2017, published by CPSC Apr 12, 2017
The product, in the report: a GE Reveal HD+ 100 watt, 72 watt usage light bulb
On the evening of February 7, 2017, my wife and I were sitting in our family room. My wife was on a couch and near her was a torchiere floor lamp rated for a 150 watt bulb in which a GE Reveal HD+ 100 watt, 72 watt usage bulb had been on for a number of hours. The bulb was surrounded on the sides with a solid composite shade. To the best of our knowledge, the bulb was undamaged and was performing well. Suddenly without warning, the bulb exploded. Shards of glass were propelled several feet across the room. More significantly, a number of projectiles of molten glass were propelled out and fell within 3 feet or so of the lamp where my wife was sitting. Note these were molten, not particles, projectiles of extremely hot glass. They appear to have come out in a liquid, molten form and no longer had a shape they would have had within the bulb. The molten glass burned several holes in the couch and the carpet, and then it cooled. One of the holes in the couch was slightly larger than a pencil eraser. As you can imagine, these holes don’t wash out and the couch and carpet are permanently defaced. Fortunately, the molten glass did not fall on readily flammable material, and a fire was not started in my home. Even more fortunately, none of the molten glass projectiles landed on my wife. She could have been seriously and permanently injured.
I am accustomed to reading warning labels and pay more attention to them than most people. Expecting to see the usual warnings on the label, such as risk of fire and burns if used improperly, I looked at the label on the package and in among some usual warnings I noted that this bulb could unexpectedly break ejecting hot particles of glass. This was not hot particles of glass that were ejected but was molten glass, i.e., in liquid form. Besides we followed the warning and the consequences could have still been disastrous with personal injuries rather than just significant damage to property. items.
I do not believe adequate warnings can be put on this product to make it safe for homeowner use. This product should be withdrawn from the market.
- Model
- GE Reveal HD+
- UPC
- 0 4316867774 5
- Serial number
- unknown
- Bought from
- Walmart
- Bought
- Jan 21, 2017, about then
- Where
- Dallas, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand GE Reveal, made or sold by GE Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Dec 15, 2016, sent to the company Jan 5, 2017, published by CPSC Jan 30, 2017
The product, in the report: incandescent light bulb set of 3
(12/14/2016) The consumer stated that she replaced the bulb in ceiling fan around Labor Day. The consumer was sitting in the room and heard an explosion. She smelled burning and was suddenly showered with glass. Shards of glass fused to the fabric in the chair where she was sitting.
The consumer was not injured.
(12/14/2016) The consumer contacted the firm. They are sending her a mailer to send back the unused bulb.
- UPC
- 043168843317
- Where
- Rockville Centre, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand GE Reveal, made or sold by GE Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 21, 2016, sent to the company Dec 1, 2016, published by CPSC Dec 15, 2016
The product, in the report: GE Reveal Halogen bulb, 72 W China 120V U93 1120 Lumen bulb.
Lightbulb exploded
- Model
- 72 W Reveal Halogen bulb
- UPC
- ?
- Serial number
- ?
- Bought from
- ?
- Where
- Scarsdale, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand GE Reveal, made or sold by GE Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Dec 20, 2015, sent to the company Dec 29, 2015, published by CPSC Jan 13, 2016
The product, in the report: GE 72 watt 120 volt reveal light bulb 1120 lumens
A GE halogen light bulb exploded in the lamp over our dining room table sending hundreds of shards of glass in all directions ! Luckily no one was injured !
- Bought from
- Meijers, Michigan
- Bought
- May 14, 2015
- Where
- Kalamazoo, Michigan: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand GE reveal, made or sold by GE Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jan 6, 2015, sent to the company Jan 14, 2015, published by CPSC Feb 5, 2015
The product, in the report: GE Reveal 50/100/150w 3 way bulb PC: 71367, DESC: 50/150/H/RVL-TP6, Res.#1051408 General Purpose A21 Halogen Bulb
One evening while we were home, watching television, a lamp bulb EXPLODED -- GE 3 way 50/100/150w Reveal bulb (made in China). No power surge, no other lights dimmed, everything remained normal in the house except for the bulb exploding. Glass from the bulb shot in all directions. Fragments fell on our leather couch and literally burned a hole almost through the leather. Four small pieces landed on the carpet and appeared to have fused with the threads of the carpet. They looked and felt like glass, and had to be be cut out. The explosion sounded like a very powerful firecracker detonating. If someone had been sitting near the lamp, the flying hot fragments would have been dangerous to them, possibly causing physical harm.
I have had light bulbs go out, make a ‘plink’ sound -- but never have had one explode like this did. There was a burning smell but I believe this came from the hot fragments burning into the leather couch and the carpet threads.
- Bought from
- Home Depot, Texas
- Bought
- Oct 1, 2014, about then
- Where
- Alvin, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 62, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Reveal 3 way, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Sep 11, 2013, sent to the company Sep 19, 2013, published by CPSC Oct 21, 2013
The product, in the report: GE Reveal 50/100/150 watt halogen general purpose bulb
On September 10, 2013, at approximately 8:15 p.m. as I was seated on my sofa, a GE reveal halogen bulb (3-way 50/100/150w) exploded in the lamp directly behind me. The halogen bulb was installed in a UL listed lamp that was sitting on a tablecloth on the sofa table. It sounded like a gun was fired. I immediately jumped up, turned off the lamp, unscrewed the bulb and unplugged the fixture. I smelled something burning and discovered shards of glass approx. 3 feet from the lamp. Shards had burned small holes in the tablecloth, sofa, and carpeting. The largest holes were approximately the diameter of a cigarette butt (no one in our home smokes). My husband doused the sofa with water since the glass appeared to be fused to the upholstery and burned through to the filling. There were three small burns in the carpet, several burns in the tablecloth, and three fairly deep burns to the sofa.
I was shocked at the explosion since this is the customary lamp I leave on for household members coming in late from work. Even more shocked when I thought that just the night before (9-9-13) I had a family emergency and left that same lamp on to go to the emergency room. If this had happened just 24 hours earlier, I could have been coming home from the emergency room to a burning home!
- Model
- 560/
1280/ 1840 - UPC
- 043168713672
- Bought from
- Target
- Bought
- Apr 15, 2013, about then
- Where
- Needville, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 49, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Reveal Halogen Bulb, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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First aid Made Aug 26, 2013, sent to the company Sep 4, 2013, published by CPSC Sep 18, 2013
The product, in the report: GE energy efficient reveal (r) clean, beautiful light (r) Longer Life Uses 28% Less Energy 3 bulb value-pack 60w replacement uses only 43w 565 Lumens GE Halogen Technology 3 Enhanced Spectrum General Purpose A19 Bulbs, PC: 69454 Desc: 43AWH/RVLL50-3PK Res. #1133397, bar code 0 4316869454 4 CTNHALA193WH43GEAMEX-00
The product is a GE “Reveal” halogen bulb, 60W replacement that uses 43W. The bulb exploded within a couple of days of installation, after the ceiling light fixture was turned off. The room was showered with glass.
I contacted GE about this. The gave me a reference number [REDACTED] and assured me that this was an isolated incident because there weren’t similar reports.
Taking their word for it, I replaced this with a second GE “Reveal” halogen bulb from the same box. It also exploded within a couple of days of installation, after the same ceiling light fixture was turned off. Again, the room was showered with glass. I witnessed this incident. It happened a few moments after the light fixture was turned off, and was accompanied by a popping sound.
I’m getting really annoyed by this. I cut my foot on a piece of broken light bulb glass the first time this happened. If the product is defective, it needs to be recalled.
- Model
- 60w replacement enhanceed spectrum general purpose A19 bulbs
- UPC
- 0 4316869454 4
- Bought from
- CVS
- Bought
- Aug 19, 2013, about then
- Where
- Mountain View, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 58, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand GE Reveal, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
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No one hurt Made May 21, 2013, sent to the company Jun 7, 2013, published by CPSC Jun 21, 2013
The product, in the report: Incandescent light bulb - 100 watts
On May 21st, 2013 around 9:25AM the consumer was standing in his bathroom one of six light fixtures exploded. Caller purchased the bulbs around a year ago but has only used the one that exploded for approximately one month to one and a half months. Incandescent light bulb - 100 watts. The glass from the light bulb landed as close as just under the light fixture outward 10 feet and falling on the sink, bathtub and commode. The caller was not injured but states that if he had been standing in front of the sink shaving it could have injured him severely especially if any of the glass entered his eyes. He has not contacted the manufacturer and does not intend to contact them. There are no injuries
- Model
- 73964 /
Incandescent light bulb - UPC
- RES#4837871
- Serial number
- CG194RVL100CH
- Bought from
- Lowe’s, Florida
- Bought
- May 22, 2011, about then
- Where
- Oviedo, Florida: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Reveal, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Apr 25, 2013, sent to the company May 3, 2013, published by CPSC May 24, 2013
The product, in the report: GE Reveal 3 way light bulb 50/100/150w
I had a GE Reveal 50/100/150w bulb explode in my had when I went to replace it on 4/21/2013. There was glass everywhere within 2 or 3 feet of the lamp. We didn’t have a replacement bulb, so I took a 3 way bulb out of another lamp to replace this one with.
After buying a replacement bulb from Walmart on 4/22/2013, I installed it in the lamp that I’d borrowed the bulb from the day before. Today, 4/25/2013, I was in another room and heard the sound of shattering glass. After searching the house over trying to find what caused the noise, I discovered the NEW bulb that was installed in the other lamp had exploded! Two different bulbs in two different lamps.
I see searching the Internet that others have had this problem with GE bulbs.
- UPC
- 4316871367
- Bought from
- Walmart, North Carolina
- Where
- Henderson, North Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Reveal, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Oct 18, 2012, sent to the company Dec 13, 2012, published by CPSC Jan 8, 2013
The product, in the report: spiral light bulb 100 watts energy saving UL unknown 4 pack
(10/17/2012) The consumer stated that the bulb is in three bulb fixture in a ceiling fan. The consumer stated that he was changing the bulb when one of the bulbs broke right in his face. There was hole in middle of one of the twist. The ceiling fan fixture was not damaged. He replaced it with a different type of bulb. No smell came from the bulb.
The consumer stated that this is the same brand that he always used.
The consumer did not contact the manufacturer.
The consumer stated that there are no identifying marks or codes on the bulb.
- Bought from
- Wal Mart, Arkansas
- Bought
- Oct 31, 2011, about then
- Where
- Pine Bluff, Arkansas: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Reveal by GE, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Mar 18, 2012, sent to the company Mar 26, 2012, published by CPSC Apr 9, 2012
The product, in the report: GE Reveal Halogen 50-100-150. Model 71367
I have three table lamps in my living room all of which contained GE Reveal Halogen 50-100-150 bulbs model #71367. They were approximately 1 month old, purchased from Walmart. Out of nowhere a bulb in one of the lamps exploded like a bomb. Luckily everybody that was home at the time was in the dining room and not in the living room. The scariest part of this ordeal was not the explosion itself but when we started cleaning we had found that the inner halogen bulb pieces were so hot and flew with such force that they burned multiple holes in the floor, couch, lamp shade, throw pillows, blankets, my babies play mat and even the wooden top of the end table that the lamp was sitting on. I have two small children, one is an infant that has a play mat beside the end table for her to play. This play mat got multiple holes melted through it, which imbedded the glass in it. Had she been on it she would have been burned or worse blinded by these burning hot shards of glass. I had some extra bulbs in the basement and upon examining the boxes after this incident, GE states on the back, “Pressurized lamp—unexpected rupture may cause injury, fire, or property damage.” This is totally ridiculous, it’s a light bulb, people sit around these things everyday. They shouldn’t have the potential for this kind of injury; this is not acceptable. I am returning these to Walmart, I also documented the damage the best I could with my camera.
- Model
- 71367
- UPC
- 4316871367
- Bought from
- Walmart
- Bought
- Feb 18, 2012, about then
- Where
- Sharpsville, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 28, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand GE Reveal, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 29, 2011, sent to the company Dec 7, 2011, published by CPSC Dec 21, 2011
The product, in the report: General Electric light bulb Product Code: 48695 40G25W/RVL
Purchased three pack of GE light bulbs (Product # 48695; 40G25W/RVL) on 11/27/11 at Home Depot. Installed in bathroom fixture about 6:00pm.
Used lights on/off over next few hours. Shut light off for night about 9:30pm. About 10:30pm heard sound resembling popping noise followed by a shatter. It sounded like someone had bumped into a table, then a vase had fallen, breaking. But no one was downstairs.
Wife and I went downstairs to discover one of the new bulbs was missing the glass globe portion. We found the bulb shattered in the shower. There was NO glass between the fixture and the shower. It appears the bulb severed at base sending the globe portion over the shower curtain where it shattered when it hit the shower wall.
Only one bulb ‘exploded’, however I removed all. I still have bulbs and can email photos if desired.
- Model
- Product # 48695 /
40G25W/ RVL - UPC
- 4316848695
- Bought from
- Home Depot, New York
- Bought
- Nov 27, 2011
- Where
- Rochester, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Reveal 40, made or sold by GE Appliances & Lighting
- 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.