York Gas Furnace Recall Reannounced After Hundreds of Fires

Hundreds of fires continue to be reported in connection with recalled Coleman and Red T gas furnaces, leading federal safety regulators to re-issue an eight-year-old recall notice for the furnaces. 

On February 3, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reannounced a York International furnace recall for a number of its Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T label furnaces.

The furnaces were originally recalled in 2004, due to overheating and the risk of fire. However, since the recall was announced there have been at least 366 reports involving incidents believed to be linked to the furnaces. Some of those involved extensive property damage due to fires.

At the time of the original recall, affecting about 226,000 furnaces used specifically in manufactured homes, the CPSC determined that the furnaces were overheating, causing the heat-exchanger to crack and burn through. In some cases the furnace wrapper burned as well, causing nearby ignitable substances, like drywall, to catch fire. At that time, there were only 27 reports of fires. To date, no one has been reportedly injured by the furnace fires.

The recall affects Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brand furnaces with the model numbers DGAM075BDD, DGAT070BDD, DGAT075BDD, DLAS075BDD, DGAM075BDE, DGAT070BDE, DGAT075BDE, DLAS075BDE, DGAM075BDF, DGAT070BDF, DGAT075BDF and DLAS075BDF. The affected furnaces are silver with white access panels and have “Coleman,” “Coleman Evcon” or “Red T” labels in the middle of the front access panel. The model number can be found on the faceplate, which is located on the left inside surface behind the lower panel and can be reached by removing both front access panels.

The furnaces were sold as original equipment installed in manufactured homes and as replacement furnaces for homes manufactured between 1995 and 2000.

The CPSC recommends that any consumers with the recalled furnaces in their homes stop using them immediately and have it inspected and repaired. Consumers can contact Unitary Products Group (UPG), a subsidiary of York International, for a free inspection and repair. Consumers with questions can contact UPG by calling (888) 665-4640, or by visiting the company’s website at www.dgatprogram.com.