Kidde TruSense Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Recall Issued Over Alert Failures

Another massive Kidde smoke and carbon monoxide detector recall has been issued, impacting more than 226,000 “TruSense” products which may fail to sound an alarm in the event of a fire.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the Kidde TruSense recall on May 6, warning consumers to replace the defective smoke and carbon monoxide alarms because of their potential failure to give out a warning signal. While there have been no reported injuries or incidents in connection to the recalled smoke and CO detectors, the products could pose a serious risk in homes throughout the U.S.

The recall affects Kidde TruSense Smoke Alarms and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms from Model Series 2040, 2050, 2060 and 2070. Only those alarms with the TruSense logo or “AMBER=FAULT” printed on the front are included in the recall. The model number is printed on the back.

Kidde has put up a recall page on its website to help consumers identify if their particular model of smoke detector or combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarm is affected by the recall. See below for the link.

The recalled detectors were sold at Walmart, Home Depot, Menards and other stores. The alarms were also sold online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other online retailers from May 2019 through September 2020 for between $10 and $70. They were manufactured in China and imported by Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Company, Inc., based in Mebane, North Carolina.

The CDC recommends consumers contact Kidde immediately for a free replacement alarm. Consumers with questions can call Kidde at 844-796-9972 or visit the recall page at http://kiddetsalarmrecall.rsvpcomm.com/

Kidde Recall Problems

This is just the latest of several major recalls of Kidde safety equipment in recent years.

Kidde issued another a smoke detector recall involving 450,000 devices on March 21, 2018 after issues with different smoke alarms which had a yellow cap left on during the manufacturing process that covered one of the two smoke sensors. This problem potentially disabled the ability of the device to detect smoke and warn consumers of danger.

Kidde also had another recall in 2016 involving alarms which failed to signal after seven years of use, even if the batteries are changed. The recall involved 5.1 million units with an estimated 3.6 million sold throughout the United States, and an additional 1.5 million distributed for sale in Canada.

Not only smoke alarms have been affected. Kidde also issued a fire extinguisher recall in 2017 due to problems with nozzle detachment and a risk that the fire extinguishers may fail to operate when needed. More than 40 million units were affected by the recall. The recall eventually led to a $12 million civil penalty to settle claims by federal regulators who say they were not properly told about the safety defects.