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On August 28, 2006, Dometic Corporation announced a voluntary recall of over 900,000 refrigerators manufactured between April 1997 and May 2003. The recall addresses a potential hazard that may result from the operation of refrigerators installed in recreational vehicles as original equipment or aftermarket equipment.
A fatigue crack may develop in the boiler tube of the affected refrigerator allowing pressurized coolant solution to discharge into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present. Under certain conditions, the coolant could ignite, resulting in a vehicle fire.
To determine if a refrigerator is affected, follow the steps below.
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Document the model and serial number of the unit.
This information is printed on a sticker found inside the refrigerator near the door.
View an example.
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Check the model and serial number.
Test for an affected unit using the form below.
Note For units that are part of this recall, the model number starts with RM or NDR; the serial number is 8 digits long.
Clear Creek RV Center is a Dometic Authorized Service Center. If the form above indicates that your refrigerator is affected by the recall, please schedule an appointment for installation of a rework kit.
Dometic has developed two versions of a “rework kit” for this potential defect, one for use with two-way refrigerators (model numbers ending in “2”) and one for three-way refrigerators (model numbers ending in “3”). The contents of each kit includes:
- a secondary burner housing,
- replacement fuses, and
- an installation guide.
Installation of the kit prevents a fire from developing outside the burner area of the refrigerator. The work effort to install the kit is approximately 30 minutes.
To ensure that the correct rework kit is available for installation, please schedule an appointment.
Note Rework kits are designed to address a potential safety hazard in a select group of Dometic refrigerators. Installation of a rework kit should not be interpreted as a replacement for regularly scheduled maintenance or service of a Dometic refrigerator. To discuss maintenance or service of a Dometic refrigerator, contact the Service Center.
There is no charge to an owner of a Dometic refrigerator identified as part of the recall population for installation of a rework kit.
An owner who paid previously to repair or replace a unit that failed due to this defect will be reimbursed for costs pursuant to Dometic´s Pre-Notification Reimbursement Program.
To be eligible for reimbursement under the Program, the pre-recall repair must have ocurred no earlier than August 28, 2005. Furthermore, a claim form and supporting documentation must be mailed to Dometic. The form may be obtained by calling Dometic at 1-888-446-5157.
Learn more about the Program.
If the form indicates that the refrigerator is part of the recall population, follow the steps below.
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Turn the refrigerator off immediately if any of the following indicators are found:
- 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.
Note Any unit found to have one or more of the characteristics mentioned above
must be shut down and not operated until the unit is repaired.
For any unit that does fall within the recall population, but does not exhibit any of the four indicators mentioned in Step 1, follow Steps 2 through 5.
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Operate the refrigerator on electric power only if necessary.
Until the unit is serviced, Dometic recommends that the unit not be operated on electric power unless absolutely necessary. If operation of the unit prior to servicing is necessary, inspect the burner area of the refrigerator weekly for any of the indicators referenced in Step 1 above.
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Use 12-volt electric power, if available.
Switching to electric power lowers the incident rate associated with LP gas. If the unit is a 3-way refrigerator, run the unit on 12-volt power to further minimize risk. 3-way refrigerators have model numbers that end in “3”.
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Close the LP gas valve.
Dometic recommends closing the LP gas valve at the back of the refrigerator. Disconnecting the LP gas supply is neither required nor recommended.
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Minimize unattended operation.
Minimize the time the refrigerator is in operation unattended by shutting it off while in transit or while asleep.
Visit Dometic's web site or call Dometic at 1-888-446-5157 for additional information regarding this recall.
The public record and supporting documentation for this recall can be viewed at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's web site. To access this information:
- Navigate to the Office of Defects Investigation web site.
- Locate the section labeled Quick Search.
- Type 06E076000 in the field labeled NHTSA Campaign ID Number and click Search.