Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07

[MELM]

Click here to go directly to Updates.
Update Number 1 Nov 23, 2006
Update Number 2 Dec 5, 2006
Update Number 3 Jan 10, 2007
Update Number 4 Jan 19, 2007 - Recall Instructions - click here: Dometic Recall You need your model and serial numbers.
Update Number 5 Feb 13, 2007 - Added links to new info on the NHTSA website including the info/form for claiming reimbursement for a failure. These are at the end of the post below where all the updates are posted.

Also, edited the below Recall to include the change made prior to the Dec 5 update showing the proposed remedy.

Below is information from the NHTSA website on a recall of certain Dometic refrigerators. This recall is in its very early stages, and there is no resolution in place as of Nov 1, 2006.

From the NHTSA website:

Dometic Recall NHTSA Campaign ID 06E076000

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
DOMETIC / NDR1062 9999
DOMETIC / RM2652 9999
DOMETIC / RM2662 9999
DOMETIC / RM2663 9999
DOMETIC / RM2852 9999
DOMETIC / RM2862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3662 9999
DOMETIC / RM3663 9999
DOMETIC / RM3862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3863 9999

Manufacturer : DOMETIC CORPORATION

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06E076000 Mfg's Report Date : AUG 28, 2006

Component: EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 926877

Summary:
CERTAIN DOMETIC TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1997 AND MAY 2003: SERIAL NOS.
713XXXXX THROUGH 752XXXXX;
801XXXXX THROUGH 852XXXXX;
901XXXXX THROUGH 952XXXXX;
001XXXXX THROUGH 052XXXXX;
101XXXXX THROUGH 152XXXXX;
201XXXXX THROUGH 252XXXXX;
301XXXXX THROUGH 319XXXXX,
INSTALLED IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT. A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH MAY RELEASE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence:
THE RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy:
THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES THAT HAD THE REFRIGERATORS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND DOMETIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE AFTERMARKET REFRIGERATORS. DOMETIC WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC AT 888-446-5157.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

The following is extracted from the notice provided by Dometic to the NHTSA dated 8/26/06:

The potential defect is associated with cooling unit at the back of the refrigeration cabinet.

A fractional percentage of the potentially affected refrigerators have experienced a fatigue crack that may develop in the boiler tube in the area of the weld between the boiler tube and the heater pocket. A fatigue crack may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present. Dometic's investigation has shown that a simulated release of cooling solution (refrigerant) in the area of the boiler, under certain conditions, could be ignited by the presence of an open flame. A boiler fatigue crack with the loss of cooling solution without ignition would result in a non-operational refrigerator that is not a safety issue. Under certain conditions, the released coolant could ignite and result in a fire. In order to have a fire, at a minimum, all of the following conditions must exist:

1. The refrigerator must be on and normally operating and gas burner must be lit;
2. 'There must be an oversized heating element in the refrigerator;
3. The boiler tube must develop a throughway fatigue crack of a
specific size;
4. There must be a release of the cooling solution at a rate which will
allow the accumulation of the cooling solution at a concentration within its range of flammability; and
5. There must be ignition source (gas flame) present.

If any of these conditions are not present, a release of the cooling solution will not result in a fire.

In April of 1997 Dometic modified the design of the affected refrigerators by increasing the wattage of the heating element from 325 watts to 354 watts. All production of the affected units from April 1997 through May of 2003 utilized the 354 watt heating element. In May of 2003, in order to improve the operating life of the refrigerators, Dometic returned to the use of the 325 watt heating element which it continues to use today. It is now believed that the use of the higher wattage heater contributed to abnormal fatigue in the boiler tube.

The products in question are all refrigerators used in the original manufacture of recreation vehicles or as replacement equipment for recreation vehicles. The total population of refrigerators potentially containing the defect is 926,877. Dometic estimates a potential maximum incident rate of 0.01% related to boiler fatigue cracks that leak and may result in a fire. There have been no incidents of injury or death related to the affected population of Dometic refrigerators.

Dometic became aware of the occurrence of fires which may have involved their products and retained an independent engineering testing laboratory to fully evaluate and investigate any potential defect in their refrigerators which might result in a fire. A number of returned units were analyzed and microscopic fatigue cracks which could release coolant into the area of the burner were identified in the boiler tube metal in the area of the weld between the heater pocket and boiler tube. Tests simulating the cracks were conducted the week of August 18, 2006 and confirmed a possible cause of fire in the refrigerators under certain conditions. These test results prompted the preparation of this notice.

Dometic continues to gather information on the potential defect and will forward additional relevant information as it becomes available.

Dometic has not yet identified a proposed remedy for the potential defect. Dometic will continue a testing program designed to identify and evaluate possible remedies. This evaluation will take place both in the United States and in Sweden. Once a remedy has been identified, Dometic will initiate or participate in a remedy campaign initiated by the original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers who have purchased, sold, and distributed these products. A list of original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers to whom Dometic has sold the potentially defective refrigerators is being prepared and will be provided to the NHTSA upon its
completion.

The following is extracted from the NHTSA response on 9/18/06:

Please provide the following additional information and be reminded of the following requirements:

Dometic must provide an estimated dealer notification date as well as an owner notification date including the day, month, and year. You are required to submit a draft owner notification letter to this office no less than five days prior to mailing it to the customers. Also, copies of all notices, bulletins, dealer notifications, and other communications that relate to this recall, including a copy of the final owner notification letter and any subsequent owner follow-up notification letter(s), are required to be submitted to this office no later than 5 days after they are originally sent (if they are sent to more than one manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or purchaser/owner).

Dometic must file a sample of the envelope which you intend to use to mail the recall notice to owners. The words "SAFETY", "RECALL", "NOTICE" in any order must be printed on the envelope in larger font than the customers name and address.

[Claude_B]

Eric ! You read my mind... 🙂

[WilleyB]

Eric wrote:
The new fix is really not a fix but a return to an old assembly method !!

That's the way I'm reading it now. I wonder how much they saved by eliminating the housing as compared what it cost them to do their "new" fix.
Seems to me they did a neater installation in the past when compared to the pieces they put in mine mine.
Click-->

Willis

[Community Alumni]

Claude,

So what you are saying is that is the way the fridge was from back in 1998? The new fix is really not a fix but a return to an old assembly method !!

... Eric

[Claude_B]

WilleyB, nothing ever happened to this fridg. It work's perfectly. Just a bit of rust after almost 10 years and there is enough of space for cooling air.

[WilleyB]

Claude, did you have a fire in there or what? It sure doesn't look very shiny to me. Did something overheat? I can't tell from the photo but it doesn't look right and the shields seem too close to the vent opening.
I haven't fired mine up yet (I think were still having Winter here) but it would be good to know what to watch for.
Willis

[Claude_B]

For those who think that Dometic got their complete staff of engeeners to find "THE" solution for the recall kit, take a look at this picture:



I took that picture last weekend from my cousin Thor 1998 Aerolite TT !

Well, I think that Dometic is just back to the good old days with the "fix" :R

Who ever said that if it works, don't fix it ... :S

[Lightningjack]

Had mine done By A-Z RV in Hudson Fl. In and out within an hour. They gave me mod booklet so I could tell what was done. Hats off to them for a good job and no hassle.

[osbornk]

PackerBacker wrote:
There certainly hasn't been a rush at any of the repair places for the fix; folks seem to just be trickling in.

I thought there would be a rush also but there is not. I had mine done a couple of weeks ago and I was their 4th and they only had 6 more scheduled. It was a fairly large dealer who has been around a long time so there are many out there.

I just pulled into the parking lot, they got in it and took it to their shop and delivered back to me within a hour while I broused the parts and accessories area and watched TV. Painless except for the gas to get it there and back home.

[W7SFO]

Had the recall performed on my unit today. Hats off to Lentz's RV Repair in Spanaway, WA. They are making appointments for the recall and preforming the recall while you wait. I was there about 20 minutes. Fantastic, friendly, knowledgeable folks. Lots and lots of parts in stock at what appeared to me to be great prices.

[wepampercampers]

We are fulltimers living up in the hills for the summer.....I'd do it myself rather than waiting till next fall to get a fix.........I'm on elect and have my gas shut off to the fridge.....I also think the using the unused 12 side is a great idea.....THANKS

[Community Alumni]

Ultralife wrote:
Has anyone posted a picture of the installation or description? I'm sure that many of us could duplicate the fix with little effort.

Why bother, it's free anyway. :h

There certainly hasn't been a rush at any of the repair places for the fix; folks seem to just be trickling in.

[Ultralife]

Thank you!!!

[bigdodgeram]

WilleyB wrote:
Well it's done and has been a very busy weekend for me. Murphy's law was at it's best. Sunday we had to take our pooch to the vet clinic an emergency. We got the news that considering she was an old dog and the problem was most likely a bone tumor, and we'd have to make the decision after the x rays on Monday. Monday morning 9 AM the RV was at the dealers shop. As previously said due to insurance and labor laws I sat it out in the waiting room for about an hour. The required papers to fill out the shop's Dometic papers were 1 Vehicle registration, 2 type and model of RV, 3 serial number and model of fridge, 4 my name and address with telephone number.
Wanted to take some pictures but the batteries were dead in the camera. Went shopping, picked up the dog about 4:30PM after shopping. Vet bill $260 incl medication. Thankfully there were no tumors so no decision was necessary but no apparent reason for the fever or swelling in the leg. So home I go with dog, medication and instructions on what to feed her, ground beef and rice. Ah! Well!
OK! Tues, a new day so I got some pics.
#1 Click--> #2 Click-->

#3 Click-->
#4 Click--> #5 Click-->
#1 The completed modification #2 A better view of the new schematic on the new panel
#3 The front panel removed (4 screws) the new pieces are identified in red numerals as #1 more shielding over the heater element door. #2 This sheet extends half way around the boiler assembly #3 new extended sheeting beneath the LP burner assy, this piece is screwed to the floor #4 is the new thermal cut out (this is the only one I can see and also is the only new wiring. #'4&5 just two more pic's of the area to look at.

In my opinion this mod may or may not prevent a fire during a boiler failure while on LP gas, however having said that it certainly will contain a fire should a failure of the boiler occur. The fire (if any during a boiler failure) would be contained within the enclosed area, thereby preventing the plastic or the wood of the RV from catching fire. IF the thermal cutout (#4) works, then the 12 volts will be removed causing a shutdown of all sources of heating, both electric and LP gas.

The modification on it's own will not prevent a cooling unit failure, it will at best prevent a fire during the failure of the cooling unit while on LP gas.
For my own peace of mind, I purchased a new 120 volt 325 watt element, which has a measured resistance of 44.5 ohms to replace the original underrated element which seems to be the root cause of the cooling unit failures resulting in this recall. I also installed the new element in the 12 volt element well. My fridge is a two way (120v and LP gas) but all these fridges use the same boiler unit with the two wells. My reasoning here is the well for the 12 volt element has not been stressed since it has never been used. Anyway that's the way I did it for my peace of mind.
Willis

these are the completed pictures.

[Chris_Bryant]

I did a scan of the recall instructions- http://www.bryantrv.com/docs2/temp/recall2.pdf
To get the same thing would take some effort- because of the electrical components.

[Ultralife]

Has anyone posted a picture of the installation or description? I'm sure that many of us could duplicate the fix with little effort.

I'm not asking your opinion on the liability side of the issue or my qualifications, just the info.

Thanks.....