FWIW, we received a recall notice from Dometic today that applies to refrigerators manufactured between Apri 1997 and May 2003 for installation in recreational vehicles.
The Problem: A fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube of the identified refrigerators, which can permit the release of pressurized coolant solution. If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.
Affected Units: ... the following model numbers: NDR1062, RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852, RM2862, RM3662, RM3663, RM3862, RM3863.
The possibly affected units have serial numbers beginning with the following combinations:
713xxxxx through 752xxxxx
801xxxxx through 852xxxxx
901xxxxx through 952xxxxx
001xxxxx through 052xxxxx
101xxxxx through 152xxxxx
201xxxxx through 252xxxxx
301xxxxx through 319xxxxx
"If you own one of the above units, it requires immediate service and continuing use could pose a potential safety hazard."
The letter advises that if your refrigerator model and serial number are among the above that you call 1-888-446-5157 or go to www.DometicUSA.com to confirm if your refrigerator is affected by the recall.
The following is copied from the Dometic website and pasted here:
Turn the refrigerator off immediately if you notice any of the following indicators:
Leakage or staining at the back of the refrigerator.
Yellow residue at the back or sides of the refrigerator.
The smell of ammonia.
Refrigerator does not properly cool.
Any unit found to have one or more of the characteristics mentioned above MUST be shut down and not operated until the unit is fixed and the recall rework administered.
For any unit that does fall within the recall population, but does not exhibit any of the four indicators mentioned in #1, consider the following:
Do not operate your refrigerator on LP gas. Switching to electric power lowers the incident rate associated with LP gas. If you own a 3-way refrigerator, running the unit on 12-volt power carries the least risk of all. 3-way refrigerators have model numbers that end in "3".
Dometic recommends that the unit not be operated on electric unless absolutely necessary until your unit has been serviced. If you choose to operate your unit on electric prior to the recall rework, you must inspect the burner area weekly for any of the indicators referenced in number 1 above.
Dometic recommends that you turn off the gas valve at the back of your refrigerator. DO NOT, however, attempt to disconnect the gas supply. For instructions on how to turn off the gas valve, click here.
If you must operate your refrigerator on electric, DO NOT operate your refrigerator while in transit or while asleep.
I
f the repair facility fails or is unable to remedy this noncompliance without charge and within a reasonable time, please contact us at the number provided above so we can attempt to resolve the problem. You may also submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
If you previously paid to repair or replace a Dometic refrigerator that failed due to this defect, you can be reimbursed for your costs pursuant to Dometic�s Pre-Notification Reimbursement Program. To be eligible for reimbursement under that Program, you must complete and submit the required form and provide the necessary documentation. The Program and form can be obtained by calling 1-888-446-5157.
The url for this info is: http://www2.dometicusa.com/recall.php.
The recall number is 06E-076.
Hope your problem is something easier than this.
Good Luck.
Don and Mary Ann (The Navigator) Nesbitt
Cary, NC
Admin edit: Updated link to new recall page.
The Problem: A fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube of the identified refrigerators, which can permit the release of pressurized coolant solution. If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.
Affected Units: ... the following model numbers: NDR1062, RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852, RM2862, RM3662, RM3663, RM3862, RM3863.
The possibly affected units have serial numbers beginning with the following combinations:
713xxxxx through 752xxxxx
801xxxxx through 852xxxxx
901xxxxx through 952xxxxx
001xxxxx through 052xxxxx
101xxxxx through 152xxxxx
201xxxxx through 252xxxxx
301xxxxx through 319xxxxx
"If you own one of the above units, it requires immediate service and continuing use could pose a potential safety hazard."
The letter advises that if your refrigerator model and serial number are among the above that you call 1-888-446-5157 or go to www.DometicUSA.com to confirm if your refrigerator is affected by the recall.
The following is copied from the Dometic website and pasted here:
Turn the refrigerator off immediately if you notice any of the following indicators:
Leakage or staining at the back of the refrigerator.
Yellow residue at the back or sides of the refrigerator.
The smell of ammonia.
Refrigerator does not properly cool.
Any unit found to have one or more of the characteristics mentioned above MUST be shut down and not operated until the unit is fixed and the recall rework administered.
For any unit that does fall within the recall population, but does not exhibit any of the four indicators mentioned in #1, consider the following:
Do not operate your refrigerator on LP gas. Switching to electric power lowers the incident rate associated with LP gas. If you own a 3-way refrigerator, running the unit on 12-volt power carries the least risk of all. 3-way refrigerators have model numbers that end in "3".
Dometic recommends that the unit not be operated on electric unless absolutely necessary until your unit has been serviced. If you choose to operate your unit on electric prior to the recall rework, you must inspect the burner area weekly for any of the indicators referenced in number 1 above.
Dometic recommends that you turn off the gas valve at the back of your refrigerator. DO NOT, however, attempt to disconnect the gas supply. For instructions on how to turn off the gas valve, click here.
If you must operate your refrigerator on electric, DO NOT operate your refrigerator while in transit or while asleep.
I
f the repair facility fails or is unable to remedy this noncompliance without charge and within a reasonable time, please contact us at the number provided above so we can attempt to resolve the problem. You may also submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
If you previously paid to repair or replace a Dometic refrigerator that failed due to this defect, you can be reimbursed for your costs pursuant to Dometic�s Pre-Notification Reimbursement Program. To be eligible for reimbursement under that Program, you must complete and submit the required form and provide the necessary documentation. The Program and form can be obtained by calling 1-888-446-5157.
The url for this info is: http://www2.dometicusa.com/recall.php.
The recall number is 06E-076.
Hope your problem is something easier than this.
Good Luck.
Don and Mary Ann (The Navigator) Nesbitt
Cary, NC
Admin edit: Updated link to new recall page.
