What to Do If You Own a Recalled Product
Quick Answer
When a product you own is recalled, the most important decision is whether to keep using it while waiting for a remedy. For safety recalls, the answer is usually no. For recalls involving minor defects or labeling issues, the guidance depends on the specific notice. This guide walks through every step from confirming the recall to getting your remedy.
Step 1: Confirm Your Item Is Affected
Not every unit of a product gets recalled. Recalls typically apply to specific manufacturing runs, date ranges, or model numbers.
Find the recall notice at Recalls.gov or CPSC.gov/Recalls and compare:
- The model number (usually on a label on the back or bottom of the product)
- The serial number range listed in the recall
- The manufacture date or lot number on your product
- The UPC code on the original packaging
If your product's identifiers fall within the affected range, it is recalled. If they fall outside it, you are not affected by that specific recall.
Step 2: Read the Recall Notice Carefully
Every recall notice includes:
The hazard: What specifically can go wrong and what injury or harm could result. This tells you how urgently you need to stop using the product.
The remedy: What the manufacturer is offering. Options are typically a free repair, a free replacement, or a full refund.
Contact instructions: The manufacturer's phone number and website for requesting the remedy.
Instructions for the product itself: Some recalls instruct you to stop using the product immediately. Others say normal use is still safe while you wait for a repair. Follow the specific guidance in the notice.
Step 3: Stop Using the Product If Instructed
If the recall notice says to stop using the product, do so. This is especially important for:
- Products with fire or electrical hazards
- Children's products with injury risks
- Food, drugs, or supplements with contamination
- Vehicles with safety-critical defects
Do not assume the risk is low because nothing has happened yet. Recall hazards are often discovered before widespread injuries occur.
Step 4: Contact the Manufacturer
Use the phone number or website listed in the recall notice, not a general customer service line. Have the following ready:
- Product name and model number
- Serial number if applicable
- Your name and mailing address
You generally do not need your original receipt to claim a recall remedy. Most manufacturers ask only for proof that you own the affected product, which the serial or model number provides.
What Remedies to Expect
| Remedy Type | What It Means | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Free repair | Manufacturer fixes the defect at no cost, either at your home, a service center, or by mail | Varies, ask when contacting |
| Free replacement | You receive a new unit in exchange for the recalled one | Typically 4 to 8 weeks |
| Full refund | You receive the original purchase price | Typically 4 to 8 weeks |
| Partial refund or voucher | Less common; usually for older products | Varies |
Under federal law, manufacturers must provide the remedy at no cost to the consumer. If a company tries to charge you a fee for a recall repair or replacement, report it to the CPSC.
What to Do with the Product
Keep the product until the manufacturer tells you what to do with it. Some remedies require you to return the product, and the manufacturer will provide shipping instructions or arrange pickup. Others instruct you to dispose of it locally.
Do not donate, sell, or give away a recalled product. Passing a recalled product to someone else transfers the safety risk.