Viking Gas Range Recall Issued After Reports of Stoves Turning On By Themselves

Following dozens of reports involving problems with Viking gas ranges, where the stoves may suddenly turn on, the manufacturer has issued a massive recall due to the risk of burns, fires or severe property damage that may be suffered by consumers. 

The Viking gas range recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on May 21, after at least 75 consumer complaints were received involving incidents where burners turned on by themselves when the control knob was set to the “off” position.

More than 60,000 Viking ovens are impacted by the announcement, which indicates that the problems have already been blamed for at least three burn injuries and four reports of property damage.

Gas leaks in the home can be extremely dangerous and fatal in not properly handled. Besides the obvious risk of a gas explosion, inhaling high concentrations of natural gas can lead to asphyxia, causing the body to begin shutting down. Early symptoms of asphyxia, a form of oxygen deprivation, include fatigue, chest pain, and dizziness.

If a gas leak is suspected from an oven range, the best practice is to open the windows of your home to air it out and walk outside and call a service technician. It is not recommended to turn off any breakers or unplug the range as the natural gas leaking from the range is combustible and any spark could cause an explosion.

The recall includes Viking freestanding gas ranges measuring 36 inches tall to the top of the side trim, 30, 36, 48, or 60 inches wide and 24.5 inches deep to the end of the side panel. Majority of the recalled ranges were sold in the stainless steel, black, and white finishes but were sold in 21 different colors and finishes.

Included in the recall are all models with manufacturer model number VGIC306, VGIC308, VGIC366, VGIC368, VGIC486, VGIC488, VGIC530, VGIC536, and certain serial number ranges of model numbers VGCC530, VGCC536, VGCC548, VGCC560, VGSC530, VGSC536, and VGSC548. For a full list of recalled model numbers and serial number ranges please visit the CPSC recall notice.

The Viking ranges were manufactured in the U.S. under Viking Range LLC, of Greenwood, Mississippi where they were sold at ABT, Ferguson, Morrison, Pacific Sales, PC Richard & Son and various other appliance stores nationwide from July 2007 through June 2014 for between $4,000 and $13,000.

The CPSC has estimated roughly 52,000 ranges were sold throughout the U.S. and another 8,300 distributed for sale to Canada.

Viking Range has advised consumers to contact the company’s Customer Service division immediately at 877-929-2581 or visit them online at www.vikingrange.com and navigate to the “Safety Recall” link for instructions on how to schedule a free in-home repair.

Consumers are being asked to contact Viking Range for precautionary steps to avoid burn injuries and property damage until the appliances are repaired.