In February 2002, BSH Home Appliances Corp. of Huntington Beach, California cooperated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in accouncing a voluntary recall of thousands of Thermador gas ranges that were discovered to pose a potential burn hazard.
The recalled units were designed to vent hot air beneath the range’s small oven which was found to result in the metal door surface becoming heated to dangerous levels. This condition necessitates repair at an authorized Thermador service center to correct the problem. Although a report of high surface temperatures was received by BSH, no known injuries had occurred as of the time of the recall.
Sold nationwide between March 1998 and November 2001 through appliance outlets and specialty retail stores, approximately 2,460 of the 48-inch stainless steel All-Gas Professional Ranges with side-by-side ovens priced between $5,540 and $6,370 were recalled.
Subject to the recall are Thermador models PRG486GDUS, PRG484GGUS, and PRG486GLUS, as well as serial numbers falling in the ranges 98020001-98129999, 99010001-99129999, 20010001-20129999, and 81010001-81119999. Both the serial and model numbers can be found on a data plate behind the kick panel located at the front near the base of each range.
For consumers who determine that they own one of the recalled ranges, they should immediately cease to operate the appliance for safety reasons. Professional Thermador service is available to perform the necessary repairs free of charge for owners of the recalled ranges to safely remove the hazard.
Neither consumers nor merchants should offer the ranges for sale once determined that they are subject to a recall and pose a potential danger, as it is illegal under federal law to attempt to sell or resell a product that is known to have been recalled.
To locate an authorized Thermador service center in a particular area, customers may contact Thermador toll-free at 1-800-735-4328 Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.
Additionally, consumers are encouraged to report to the CPSC any injuries experienced, safety hazards, or other adverse incidents related to the Thermador range recall or the Thermador product in general by visiting their web site at http://www.saferproducts.org, calling their hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or replying via teletypewriter if hearing impaired at 1-800-638-8270.