September 24, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20E071000

Stove Saddle Valves may Leak Gas

A gas leak can increase the risk of a fire.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E071

Manufacturer Dometic Corporation

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 47,159

 

Summary

Dometic Corporation (Demetic) is recalling certain 3 burner cooking stoves, with part numbers S31, R1731 and R2131. The saddle valve securing bolt may be overtightened, possibly damaging the o-ring seal and causing a continuous gas leak.

 

Remedy

Dometic will notify vehicle manufacturers, and owners, dealers will install a remedy kit of gaskets, washers, thread locker bolts, and two round orange labels, free of charge. The recall began November 13, 2020. Owners may contact Dometic customer service at 1-888-943-4905.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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HOT PRODUCTS

COOKTOP

 

EN 20E071 Recall Remedy – Manifold Bolt and Valve Seal Replacement

Service Kit Instructions

 

USA & CANADA
Service Office
Dometic Corp.
5155 Verdant Dr.
Elkhart, IN 46516

 

Service Center & Recall Remedy
Visit:
www.dometic.com

 

Dealer Locations Questions?

888-943-4905 /
574-389-3713
[email protected]

 

Cooktop Models	Service Kit Number
R1731	57725
R2131
S31

 

Kit Contents	Description
57723	Recall Remedy – Manifold Bolt and Valve Seal Replacement Service Kit Instructions
57722	Threadlocker Bolts (4)
57724	Bell Washer (4)
57721	Valve Seal (3)
57727	Orange Stickers (2)
57226	Recall Response Card

 

1 Explanation of Symbols and Safety Instructions

This manual has safety information and instructions to help you eliminate or reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

 

1.1 Recognize Safety Information

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential physical injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

 

1.2 Understand Signal Words

A signal word will identify safety messages and property damage messages, and it will indicate the degree or level of hazard seriousness.

 

WARNING

This indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

 

CAUTION

This indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

 

NOTICE: Used to address practices not related to physical injury.

 

Indicates additional information that is not related to physical injury.

 

2 Recommended Tool List

Dometic Corporation recommends that the following tools be used to complete this recall remedy.

 

Recommended Tools and Materials

Square Bit Driver	5/16 in. Socket Wrench
Torque Wrench (0–40 in-lbs)	Manometer

 

3 Recall Remedy Qualification

WARNING: FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION HAZARD. Failure to obey the following warnings could result in death or serious injury:

• This recall remedy should only be implemented by a qualified service technician.
• Turn off the gas supply before initiating any part of this recall remedy. Failure to obey this warning could result in death or serious injury.

 

CAUTION: LIFTING HAZARD.

Use a sturdy prop or a second person to hold the cooktop open. Failure to obey this warning could result in minor or moderate injury.

 

NOTICE: Do not move the cooktop by pulling on the grate. Otherwise, damage to the cooktop could occur.

The images used in this document are for reference purposes only. Components and locations may vary according to specific cooktop models.

Before replacing any parts, verify your cooktop is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 20E071 recall campaign.

 

3.1 Remove Center Burner Knob

Before replacing any parts, verify your cooktop has not already had this recall remedy performed.

 

1 Look for Orange Sticker

 

1. Remove the knob on the center burner of the cooktop.
2. Look for an orange sticker on the bracket behind the knob.
   1. If there is an orange sticker, then your cooktop has already had the recall remedy installed. Place the knob back on the center burner and you are done.
   2. If there is not an orange sticker, then proceed with the next step of the recall remedy qualification.

 

3.2 Remove the Cooktop

The model and serial numbers, that determine whether your cooktop is part of the recall campaign, are located on a nameplate on the underside of the cooktop.

 

2 Remove the Cooktop Screws

 

1. Using a square bit driver, remove the two screws securing the cooktop brackets. Retain the screws for reassembly.

 

3 Remove the Cooktop

 

2. Remove the grate.

 

3. Pull the cooktop forward and lift. Use a sturdy prop or a second person to hold the cooktop open to avoid a safety hazard.

 

3.3 Locate the Model and Serial Number

If your cooktop is not one of the models listed and _{is not in the specified serial number range, then this} service kit does not apply to your cooktop.

 

4 Locate the Model and Serial Number

 

Find the model number and serial number of your cooktop.

1. Locate the nameplate on the underside of the cooktop, visible when the cooktop is raised.
2. Find the model number and record it for later use.
3. Verify the model number is S31, R1731, or R2131.
   1. If it is not, then your cooktop does not qualify for this recall remedy. Proceed to “Reassemble the Cooktop” on page 4 and then you are finished.
   2. If it is, then your cooktop may qualify for this recall remedy. Proceed to the next step.
4. Find the serial number and record it for later use.

Model	Serial Number Range
S31	SU02100001 – SU0210100, SU93600001 – SU93600300 SU82200001 – SU83900100 SU9340001 – SU93400100
R1731 and R1231	81897193 – 02799381

 

5. Verify the serial number falls in the range of affected cooktops for your model.
   1. If it does not, then your cooktop does not qualify for this recall remedy. Proceed to “Reassemble the Cooktop” on page 4 and then you are finished.
6. If it does, then your cooktop qualifies for this recall remedy. Proceed to “Replacement” on page 3.

 

If you are unsure, then call the phone numbers on the cover of this recall remedy or go to www.dometic.com to confirm whether your cooktop is on the list of recalled units.

 

4 Replacement

This section describes how to replace the manifold bolts and valve seals in the cooktop.

 

4.1 Remove the Manifold Pipe

 

5 Remove the Manifold Pipe

 

The manifold pipe must be lowered to access the valves.

1. Using a socket wrench, remove the four manifold bolts.

 

2. Lower the manifold pipe from the burner valves.

 

4.2 Replace the Valve Seals

 

6 Replace the Valve Seal

 

1. For each burner valve, replace the black valve seal with a red valve seal (provided). Do not replace the black seal for the oven thermostat valve.
2. For the burner valves, make sure the tab on the red valve seal sets in the recess in the valve.
3. Dispose of the removed black valve seals and manifold bolts according to “Disposal” on page 5.

 

4.3 Reassemble the Manifold Pipe

 

7 Install the Bell Washers

 

1. Place a bell washer (provided) over each of the four threadlocker bolts (provided). Make sure the bell washer is placed in the correct orientation as shown in Figure 7.
2. Assemble the manifold bracket to each valve while turning the threadlocker bolts finger tight.
3. Torque each threadlocker bolt to 15–20 in-lbs with a torque wrench.

Do not over-torque the threadlocker bolts.

 

5 Perform a Leak Test

Before reassembling the cooktop, perform a leak test.

1. Turn on the gas supply.
2. Pressurize the range with propane at 11 inches water column.
3. Spray the manifold around the replaced seals with a mixture of soap and water.
4. Ensure there are no bubbles. Observe for a minimum of 1 minute.
5. Reduce the pressure to 8 inches water column and isolate the range and pressure gauge from the supply.
6. Observe the pressure for 3 minutes and ensure there is zero drop in pressure.

 

6 Reassemble the Cooktop

1. Lower the cooktop to the base and push to slide into place.
2. Secure the cooktop brackets with the two original screws.
3. Replace the grate.

 

8 Place Recall Sticker

 

4. If this recall remedy was performed on a compatible unit in an RV, then:
   1. Place an orange sticker (provided) on the bracket behind the center burner knob.
   2. Place the knob on the center burner.
5. If this recall remedy was performed on a compatible unit that is still in its original packaging from Dometic, then:
   1. Attach the second orange sticker to the label on the outside of the box near the unit model and serial number.
   2. Otherwise, dispose of the second sticker.

 

7 Fill Out the Recall Response Card

The information on the recall response card is vital to proper record keeping and reporting to NHTSA.

This information helps confirm that Dometic, the Other Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and the dealer are complying with federal law and collecting the proper records for reporting.

 

9 Recall Response Card

 

The installer of this recall remedy kit is required to complete the recall response card (provided):

1. Customer Information – Provide the contact information of the end user/owner of the RV which has the cooktop. If the unit is still in its original packaging and not installed in an RV, write N/A.
2. Dealer/Repair Center Information – Provide the Dometic dealer number or repair center number, whichever is applicable, as well as the contact information. Also provide the work order number (if applicable), otherwise use the last name and first name of the retail customer.
3. Recalled Unit Information – Provide the cooktop model number and serial number (recorded earlier) and the repair date.
4. Recreational Vehicle Information – Provide the RV manufacturer, model, serial number, and vehicle identification number (VIN). If the unit is still in its original packaging and not installed in an RV, write N/A.
5. Return the completed recall response card to the Dometic Service Office.

 

8 Disposal

Place the packaging material in the appropriate recycling waste bins, whenever possible. Consult a local recycling center or specialist dealer for details about how to dispose of the product in accordance with all applicable national and local regulations.

 

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Date:

 

Name
Street
City, State, Zip

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Highway Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act

 

RE: Dometic S31, R1731, AND R2131 Series COOKING STOVES; Recall – 20E071

 

Dear Valued Customer:

Dometic Corporation has decided that a defect which is related to motor vehicle safety exists on the S31, R1731, AND R2131 Series COOKING STOVES that were manufactured between May of 2018 and July 9, 2020.

 

The Problem:

The user of a recreational vehicle or marine vessel can become aware of the potential defect when,  after some period of usage, begins to  smell gas near the stove when it is not in operation; if the user or other servicer then attempts to tighten the bolts that hold the valves under the stove burners, the tightening action can  cause irreversible damage to the o-ring seal at  the  valve(s), resulting in a continuous gas leak. Such leak can result in a fire.

 

Affected Units:

The potentially affected Cooking Stoves have the following model series numbers

S31

with suffixes S31 with suffixes BMFBO, BPFBO, SPCMO, SPFMO

R1731

with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BBPFBR, BBPFMO, BDICMO, BSPCMO, BSPCMR, BSPFBO, BSPFBR, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SLICMO, SSPCMO, SSPFBO, SSPFBR, SSPFMO, AND SSPFMR

R2131

with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BSPCBO, BSPCMO, BSPFBO, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SSPCMO, SSPFMO,

The potentially affected Cooking Stoves have serial number ranges as follows:

the S31 Cooking Stoves that are in the population of the potentially defective units are between SU02100001 – SU0210100; SU93600001 – SU93600300; and SU82200001 – SU83900100 the R1731 and R2131 Cooking Stoves that are in the population of the potentially defective units are between 81897193 through 02799381. 

IF YOU OWN ONE OF THE UNITS SHOWN ABOVE AND YOU SMELL GAS, BECAUSE GAS CAN LEAK INTO THE RV THROUGH A DAMAGED STOVE VALVE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE GAS OFF AT THE RV LP TANK REGULATOR.  THEREAFTER, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE LP GAS WITHIN THE RV UNTIL THE STOVE VALVE IS REPAIRED AND DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE COOKING STOVE. OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS TO DISSIPATE GAS FUMES. REMOVE ALL IGNITION SOURCES FROM THE AREA INSIDE THE RV UNTIL ALL TRACES OF GAS SMELL ARE GONE.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE ANY GAS APPLIANCE IN THE RV INCLUDING THE COOKING STOVE UNTIL THE REMEDY IS INSTALLED ON YOUR S31, R1731, OR R2131 COOKING STOVE.

 

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A GAS LEAK OCCURING WITHIN OR EMANATING FROM THESE COOKING STOVES ON YOUR OWN. ANY REPAIR OR REMEDY SHOULD BE PERFORMED BY A DOMETIC-QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN. 

 

How do I know if my COOKING STOVE is part of the 20E071 NHTSA Recall?

 

1. Find the S31, R1731, OR R2131 SERIES model number and serial numbers by locating the nameplate on the unit, underneath the cooktop, visible when the cooktop is raised. (see below)
2. If you are unsure, Call call 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713 or go to Dometic.com to confirm that your S31, R1731, OR R2131 SERIES COOKING STOVE is one in the population of Recalled units for Recall 20E071.

 

How do I remedy my S31, R1731, OR R2131 SERIES COOKING STOVE with the Dometic Remedy, Without Cost?

 

1. Make sure you keep this notice.
2. DO NOT ATTEMPT REPAIR ON YOUR OWN: FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE IF YOU SMELL GAS.
3. Whether you experience the “gas smell” or not: Contact any Dometic authorized dealer/service center or call the Dometic Recall Hotline at 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713. They will direct you to a Service Center to have the remedy installed on your RV or Boat S31, R1731, or R2131 cooking stove so that the leak from this potential defect will not occur in the future.
4. The remedy will be available for field installation at Dometic authorized service centers or participating OEM locations after December 1, 2020 and will be installed at NO COST to you. The Remedy kit consists of gaskets, washers, and thread locking bolts. The Dometic Authorized Service Center will install the remedy for you. This repair will take approximately one (1) hour.
5. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE REPAIR YOURSELF. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CREATE A GAS LEAK OR MAKE A VERY SMALL GAS LEAK THAT YOU CAN SMELL WORSE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH FROM A GAS EVENT.
6. There is a RECALL RESPONSE CARD with each RECALL REMEDY KIT. Make sure that the service center or dealer fills in the 20E071 Cooking Stove Recall Response Card and sends it back to Dometic.  The Recall Response Card is already set up with postage for return.

 

If YOU no longer Own the RV or Boat with the S31, R1731, or R2131 cooking stove:

If you are no longer an owner of an RV or Boat that has an S31, R1731, or R2131 cooking stove,  please call us at the Dometic Recall Number 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713 and tell us the name and address of the new owner, dealer, service center, or whomever you delivered the RV or RV appliance to. We would greatly appreciate you furnishing us with the this information so we can follow through with notification to the subsequent owner.

 

You May Receive More Than One Mailing Regarding Recall 20E071: 

 In order to reach as many customers who own an RV or Boat with the Dometic S31, R1731, or R2131 cooking stove installed, Dometic Corporation and the original equipment manufacturers of RV’s, and Boats will each send notifications, which ALL pertain to the same single Recall (20E071). One Final Request:

Dometic Corporation appreciates your business and is committed to your safety.  Before you forget, Please check to see if your S31, R1731, or R2131 cooking stove is one of the models shown here and if it is in the recall population.  Follow these instructions so that you remain safe and your cooking stove gets the proper remedy installed.

 

In the event that you find it difficult to carry out the instructions provided, please call our Recall Line at 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713.  If you still cannot complete the remedy and are dissatisfied with our service, you can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at https://www.safercar.gov,or call the toll-free NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236(TTY: 1800-424-9153).

 

On a personal note:

Dometic Sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience that this may have caused.  We are dedicated to developing innovative products that are safe to use and serve the needs and enhance the experience of our mobile customers. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.

 

Sincerely;

 

Patrick N. McConnell
Dometic Corporation
Director Product Safety, Compliance, & Engineering Services
5155 Verdant Dr.
Elkhart, IN 46516

 

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Please be reminded of the following requirements:

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).

Please be reminded that under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a)(3), it is illegal for a manufacturer, to sell, offer for sale, import, or introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that contains a safety defect once the manufacturer has notified NHTSA about that safety defect. This prohibition does not apply once the motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment has been remedied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

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Date

 

Dealer Name
Street
City, State, Zip

 

20E071

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Highway Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

 

RE: NHTSA RECALL 20E071 for Dometic S31, R1731 and R2131 recreational vehicle cooking stoves.

 

Dear _________;

 

Dometic Corporation has determined that a potential defect which is related to motor vehicle safety exists with respect to both the R1731 and R2131 cooking stoves, that were manufactured between May of 2018 and July 9^th, 2020. Dometic’s records show that some of the product, (“cooking stoves”) listed below were purchased by your company and may either be in your inventory or have been installed in an RV that your company sells. Dometic apologizes for the inconvenience that this places on your business and the requirement that you now have, per Title 49; Subtitle B; Chapter V; Part 573; §573.11.

The requirement is shown in the ECFR as follows:

§573.11 Prohibition on sale or lease of new defective and noncompliant motor vehicles and items of replacement equipment.

(a) If notification is required by an order under 49 U.S.C. 30118(b) or is required under 49 U.S.C. 30118(c) and the manufacturer has provided to a dealer (including retailers of motor vehicle equipment) notification about a new motor vehicle or new item of replacement equipment in the dealer’s possession, including actual and constructive possession, at the time of notification that contains a defect related to motor vehicle safety or does not comply with an applicable motor vehicle safety standard issued under 49 CFR part 571, the dealer may sell or lease the motor vehicle or item of replacement equipment only if:

(1) The defect or noncompliance is remedied as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120 before delivery under the sale or lease; or

(2) When the notification is required by an order under 49 U.S.C. 30118(b), enforcement of the order is restrained or the order is set aside in a civil action to which 49 U.S.C. 30121(d) applies.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not prohibit a dealer from offering the vehicle or equipment for sale or lease, provided that the dealer does not sell or lease it.

 

Please Note: that as of this notice it is unlawful for you to sell a product that is installed but not sold, or is in your inventory before it has had the remedy applied to the product. 

 

Dometic is advising you to locate All of the following models of recreational vehicle cooking stoves and quarantine those that have not been installed in an RV or that are still in your inventory.  Further, you will need to collect model, serial #, and VIN # of ALL RV’s that you have or that have been delivered prior to this notice with these model cooking stoves installed and provide that list to Dometic Corporation as early as possible.  The following models may be in your inventory.

 

R1731 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BBPFBR, BBPFMO, BDICMO, BSPCMO, BSPCMR, BSPFBO, BSPFBR, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SLICMO, SSPCMO, SSPFBO, SSPFBR, SSPFMO, AND SSPFMR

R2131 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BSPCBO, BSPCMO, BSPFBO, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SSPCMO, SSPFMO,

S31 with suffixes BMFBO, BPFBO, SPCMO, SPFMO

 

Further, the serial number range of the R1731 and R2131 Cooking Stoves that are in the population of the potentially defective units is between 81897193 through 02799381. 

Further, the serial number range of the S31 Cooking Stoves that are in the population of the potentially defective units are between SU02100001 – SU02100100, SU93600001 – SU93600300, and SU82200001 – SU83900100.

Dometic is working on, but has not identified, a remedy for this potential defect at this time, but will advise you when a remedy kit is available. Any remedy that Dometic employs to mitigate the gas leaks at the saddle valve to manifold connection will include a remedy kit, instructions, a recall response card(mandatory to be filled out at the time of repair), and the specific requirements that an authorized service center install the remedy free of charge to the end use customer.  All remedy applications at your dealership or service center will require that the recall response card be filled out and returned to Dometic when the remedy is applied.  The remedy recall response card is an essential requirement to protect both the dealership/service center and Dometic in the record keeping and reporting of the recall remedy process to NHTSA.

 

THE PROBLEM:

If you have an RV or in some cases a boat, which have S31, R1731, or R2131 series “cooking stoves” installed in them, have made replacements of these model “cooking stoves”, or have inventory of these models for service replacement, a gas leak may occur at the joint between the gas saddle valve for the burners and the manifold under the burner surface.  Although, this is located inside the “cooking stove” enclosure, we have had multiple complaints of “gas smell” and one incident where the piezo igniter and one control knob was distorted by the temperature rise within that enclosure. Our data indicates, and Dometic believes that these leaks are a result of field adjustment and field overtightening of the securement bolt for the saddle valve to manifold connection. Although, the occurrence may be extremely rare, the potential gas leak could lead to an ignition and resulting fire.  Therefore, Dometic is addressing this by initiating a recall and applying a remedy to this population of S31, R1731, and R2131 series “cooking stoves”.

 

What Dometic Will Do: 

Dometic is aggressively approaching all OEM’s, Dealers, Retailers, and End Users with Certified Letters, (for which they have to sign), defining the product, models, population, and directions on action to be taken.

Dometic is diligently working on designing a remedy that will be available as soon as testing of the remedy proves that the application in the field will resolve the matter and prevent field tampering.

Dometic has also applied a tamper proof mechanism in production since 7-9-2020 that will keep this from happening on serial numbers later than 7- 9-2020.

 

The remedy will consist of 1) instructions 2) remedy kit 3) Recall Response Card to be filled out and returned at the time of remedy application.  Again, Dometic is supplying this recall remedy at no charge.

 

If you are unsure, call 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713 or go to www.Dometic.com to confirm that your S31, R1731 or R2131 is within the population of Recalled units for Recall 20E071.

 

What you need to Do:

Per the Code of Federal Regulations; Title 49; Subtitle B; Chapter V; Part 573; §573.11, as of this notice it is unlawful for you to sell or lease a product that is installed but not sold/leased, or is in your inventory before it has had the remedy applied to the product.

Please DO NOT make any attempt at a repair until factory specifications and a remedy kit are forthcoming.  

Please locate All of the following models of recreational vehicle cooking stoves and quarantine those that have not been installed in an RV or that are still in your inventory.  Further, you will need to collect model, serial #, and VIN # of ALL RV’s that you have or that have been delivered prior to this notice with these model cooking stoves installed and provide that list to Dometic Corporation as early as possible.  The following models may be in your inventory.

 

Please make sure that you send Dometic an inventory of ALL units with one of these products in your stock, so that we can apply the remedy expeditiously.  The remedy is being supplied at no Charge.

 

If you are unsure whether the cooking stove has a serial number that is in the recall or If you have any questions please call us at call 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713

 

Patrick N McConnell
Director Product Safety, Compliance, & Engineering Svcs.
Dometic Corporation

 

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Date

 

OEM Name
Street
City, State, Zip

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Highway Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

 

RE: NHTSA RECALL 20E071 for Dometic R1731, R2131 and S31 recreational vehicle cooking stoves.

 

Dear Dometic Valued Customer;

Dometic Corporation has determined that a potential defect, which is related to motor vehicle safety, exists with respect to the R1731, R2131 AND S31 cooking stoves manufactured between November of 2018 and July 9^th, 2020. Dometic’s records show that some of the product, (“cooking stoves”) listed below were purchased by your company and may either be in your inventory or have been installed in an RV that your company sells. Dometic apologizes for the inconvenience that this places on your business and the requirement that you now have, per 49CFR Part 573, to initiate your own recall to handle these products.

 

Please Note: that as of this notice it is unlawful for you to sell a product that is installed but not sold or is in your inventory before it has had the remedy applied to the product. 

 

Dometic is advising you to locate ALL of the following models of recreational vehicle cooking stoves and quarantine those that have not been installed in an RV or that are still in your inventory.  Further, you will need to collect model, serial #, and VIN # of ALL RV’s that have been shipped with these model cooking stoves installed and provide that list to Dometic Corporation as early as possible.  The following models may be in your inventory.

 

R1731 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BBPFBR, BBPFMO, BDICMO, BSPCMO, BSPCMR, BSPFBO, BSPFBR, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SLICMO, SSPCMO, SSPFBO, SSPFBR, SSPFMO, AND SSPFMR

R2131 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BSPCBO, BSPCMO, BSPFBO, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SSPCMO, SSPFMO,

S31 with suffixes BMFBO, BPFBO, SPCMO, SPFMO

Further, the serial number range of the R1731 and R2131 Cooking Stoves that are in the population of the potentially defective units is between 81897193 through 02799381.

Also, the serial number range of the S31 Cooking Stoves that are in the population of the potentially defective units are between SU02100001 – SU0210100, SU93600001 – SU93600300, and SU82200001 – SU83900100. Therefore, if you have a serial number later than either 021000011000 or 9360001 it will not be included in the recall population.

 

Dometic is working on, but has not identified, a remedy for this potential defect at this time, but will advise you when a remedy kit is available. Please do not make any attempt at a repair until factory specifications and a remedy kit are forthcoming.  Any remedy that Dometic employs to mitigate the gas leaks at the saddle valve to manifold connection will include a remedy kit, instructions, a mandatory recall response card (to be filled out at the time of repair), and specific requirements that an authorized service center must install the remedy free of charge to the end use customer.  All remedy applications at the OEM will require that the recall response card be filled out and returned to Dometic when the remedy is applied.  The remedy recall response card is an essential requirement to protect both the OEM and Dometic in the record keeping and reporting of the recall remedy process to NHTSA.

 

Please advise all of your dealer body organizations, that as of this notice, it is unlawful for them to sell a product that is installed but not sold to an end user or is in their inventory before it has had the remedy applied to the product.

 

Further, we understand that you may have sold and shipped product ahead of this notice and are willing to participate in supporting you, by distributing the same remedy packets to your end use customers, if you would like for us to do that.  Whether you choose to allow us to conduct this remedy campaign for you or whether you elect to conduct the campaign on your own, please provide lists of customers, the vehicle type, VIN number, and other pertinent information needed to contact these customers on your behalf and for the reporting responsibilities that Dometic has to NHTSA.

 

THE PROBLEM:

If you have built an RV or in some cases a boat and have installed an R1731 or R2131 or S31 “cooking stove” a gas leak may occur at the joint between the gas saddle valve for the burners and the manifold under the burner surface.  Although, this is located inside the “cooking stove” enclosure we have had multiple complaints of “gas smell” and one incident where the piezo igniter and one control knob was distorted by the temperature rise within that enclosure. Our data indicates, and Dometic believes that these leaks are a result of field adjustment and overtightening of securement bolt for the saddle valve to manifold connection.  Nevertheless, Dometic is addressing this by initiating a recall and applying a remedy to this population of R1731, R2131 and S31 “cooking stoves”.

 

What Dometic Will Do: 

Dometic is aggressively approaching all OEM’s, Dealers, Retailers, and End Users with Certified Letters, (for which they must sign), defining the product, models, population, and directions on action to be taken.

 

The remedy will consist of 1) instructions 2) remedy kit 3) Recall Response Card to be filled out and returned at the time of remedy application.  Again, Dometic is supplying this recall remedy at no charge.

 

If you are unsure, call 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713 or go to www.Dometic.com to confirm that your R1731 or R2131 or S31 is within the population of Recalled units for Recall 20E071.

 

What you need to Do: 

Pursuant to NHTSA regulations, 49CFR 573.6 upon receipt of this notice, the OEM must file their own Defect Report to NHTSA. If any of the vehicles in which the “cooking stoves” are installed, are to be sold into Canada, you should also submit a defect report to Transport Canada.

 

Please make sure that you send Dometic an inventory of ALL units with one of these products in your stock, so that we can apply the remedy expeditiously.  The remedy is being supplied at no charge.

 

If you have any questions, please call us at call 888-943-4905 or 574-389-3713.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9-28-2020

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

RECALL CAMPAIGN 20E071

DOMETIC ANNOUNCES RECALL OF R1731, R2131 AND S31 SERIES RECREATIONAL VEHICLE COOKING STOVES

This notice applies to ALL OEM, DEALER, DISTRIBUTORS, AND OWNERS of the Dometic R1731, R2131 and S31 series COOKING STOVES

ELKHART, IND. – Dometic Corporation announces it is voluntarily recalling the R1731, R2131 and S31 series cooking stoves that may have a potential safety related gas leak at the saddle valve connection to the manifold.  The recall affects these models manufactured between November 2018 and July 9, 2020. For details call 1-888-446-5157, email [email protected] or visit www.dometic.com/en–us/us/support/recall–information

Dometic is committed to making the best products that enable our customers to live a mobile lifestyle.  Dometic’s customer’s safety is of the highest priority and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.  Rest assured Dometic will execute a remedy at no charge to the end user as quickly as possible.

The affected R1731, R2131 and S31 series “cooking stoves”, have the following model designations;

 

R1731 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BBPFBR, BBPFMO, BDICMO, BSPCMO, BSPCMR,

BSPFBO, BSPFBR, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SLICMO, SSPCMO, SSPFBO, SSPFBR, SSPFMO, AND SSPFMR

R2131 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BSPCBO, BSPCMO, BSPFBO, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SSPCMO, SSPFMO

S31 with suffixes BMFBO, BPFBO, SPCMO, SPFMO

Serial number range for the R1731 and R2131 Cooking Stoves are between 81897193 through 02799381.

Serial number range for the S31 Cooking Stoves are between SU02100001 – SU0210100, SU93600001 – SU93600300, and SU82200001 – SU83900100  

Owners of the recalled unit should email [email protected] or visit www.dometic.com/enus/us/support/recall–information

Best regards,

 

Pat McConnell Director Product Safety – Compliance & Engineering Services

Dometic Corporation 5155 Verdant Dr., Elkhart, IN. 46516 E-mail: [email protected]

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POTENTIAL DEFECT NOTIFICATION

Dometic Corporation, (“Dometic”), which manufactures and sells a diverse range of products for use in recreational vehicles, trucks and premium cars, pleasure and workboats, and for a variety of other uses, has determined during the week of September 19^th, 2020 that a potential defect may exist in items of original or replacement equipment listed below.  Dometic is submitting this notification of a potential defect to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in accordance with the applicable provisions of 49 CFR Part 573.

Dometic Corporation is a Delaware Corporation located at 5155 Verdant Dr., Elkhart, IN. 46516. The Dometic products affected by this notice were, in part, manufactured for Dometic by Seven Universe Industrial Co. Ltd; Ningbo, China.   The registered agent for Dometic Corporation is The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

The affected Dometic products which may contain the potential defect are recreational vehicle type cooking stoves. These RV cooking stoves were manufactured between May of 2018 and July of 2020. The potentially affected cooking stoves have the model designations set forth below:

R1731 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BBPFBR, BBPFMO, BDICMO, BSPCMO,

BSPCMR, BSPFBO, BSPFBR, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SLICMO, SSPCMO, SSPFBO, SSPFBR, SSPFMO, AND SSPFMR

R2131 with suffixes BBPFBO, BBPCMO, BSPCBO, BSPCMO, BSPFBO, BSPFMO, BSPFMR, SSPCMO, SSPFMO,

S31 with suffixes BMFBO, BPFBO, SPCMO, SPFMO

The products in question are all model series R1731, R2131 and S31 Dometic recreational vehicle stoves.  The Serial number range for the R1731 and R2131 series “Cooking Stoves” are between 81897193 through 02799381.  The Serial number range for the S31 Cooking Stoves will be provided as soon as they are collected from the manufacturer.  However ALL S31 series Slide-in “cooking stoves” have the same manufacturing date range as the R1731 and R2131 “cooking stoves”;(between May 2018 and July of 2020) .  The first digit is the year of manufacture and the remaining numbers being sequence numbers. These products are used in Original Equipment manufacture of recreational vehicles or as replacement equipment on recreation vehicles or marine vessels. The total population of these products with the potential defect is 47,159.  There have been no incidents of injury or death involving these products.

The following product defect is not present in any other Dometic Cooking Products.

The detailed description of the defect, determined to be safety related, is associated with the saddle valve that mounts to the manifold.

The defect enunciation can occur in a mobile environment, such as a recreational vehicle or marine vessel, when, generally after an install  or usage period of 3-6 months, the installer, occupant, or user of the appliance smells gas and apparently attempts to tighten the securement bolts that hold one or more of the stove saddle valves in place and sealed to the manifold.  This action may result in the overtightening of the securement bolt for the saddle valve which may cause damage to the o-ring seal between the saddle valve and the manifold resulting in a continuous gas leak that is readily detectable from the smell.  Dometic has had one instance of ignition and damage to the piezo igniter and one control knob, although the ignition was contained within the stove enclosure. There has been no damage to adjacent or surrounding combustible materials.  Please find the photo’s indicating where the gas saddle valves are secured to the manifold.

Dometic became aware of warranty leak claims in May of 2020 and began an investigation to determine if leaks were being caused by a defect that had not enunciated from 2018 until 2020.  Dometic also reviewed the manufacturing processes in both the initial subcomponent factory that builds the manifold and saddle valve assembly and the finished goods assembly factory in Greenbrier, TN.  During that initial investigation Dometic was only aware of one OEM that filed warranty leak claims and it was determined from facts gained during evaluation through August, 2020 that these claims were being caused by field tampering of the stoves at installation or by the end user.

In Late August and early September 2020 Dometic became aware of three additional OEM’s experiencing “gas smell” claims; Dometic had also been contacted by an RV leasing company that had experienced “gas smell” claims, and actually had observed the ignition incident previously noted. As of the date of this filing there have been 49 claims of possible valve leakage in these products. A Safety Escalation Meeting was held on September 17^th identifying the claims that have arisen, and although the facts have led to the findings that the leaks are largely due to field tampering, Dometic decided to file a Potential Defect Notification Report to NHTSA for the manifold and gas saddle valves for the R1731, R2131 and S31 series stoves.

Dometic has not determined the cause of these leaks but is continuing to gather facts on the potential defect and will forward additional relevant information as it becomes available.  Dometic has NOT yet identified a proposed remedy or remedies designed to mitigate the defect but will advise NHTSA of such remedy or remedies at the time they are identified.  Dometic will further initiate a remedy campaign on the R1731, R21231 and S31 recreational vehicle stoves and will participate in remedy campaigns for the R1731, R2131 and S31 products launched by Original Equipment Manufacturers who have purchased, sold and distributed these products. Dometic

will follow up this Defect Notification by supplying the customer lists for these R1731, R2131 and S31 stoves, and the remedy activity to take place with its customers.  Dometic will file OEM letters, Dealer letters, Retail letters, and End User letters in accordance with 49 CFR, 573.

This Defect Notice is being reported to NHTSA within the 5-day requirement of Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter V, Part 573, Clause 573.6. The realization of potential Defect was 9-17-2020.

This notice was prepared by and inquiries should be sent to:

Mr. Patrick N. McConnell
Director, Product Safety, Compliance, and Engineering Services – Contractor
Dometic Corporation
[email protected]
260-499-0495

 

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RECALL CAMPAIGN 20E071

 

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS LEADING TO DEFECT DETERMINATION

 

Dometic Corporation has built and sold a series of recreational vehicle “cooking stoves” since May of 2018, identified as “S31, R1731 and R2131 Series” “cooking stoves” . This product has been slowly introduced into the RV market in place of older platforms that Dometic manufactured in Greenbrier Tennessee. The S31, R1731 and R2131 series products are partially manufactured in China by Seven Universe Industrial Company

Ltd.

 

Seven Universe manufactured the manifold and saddle valve sub-assembly in China before sending it to the United States for final stove assembly in Dometic’s Greenbrier, Tennessee factory.  In the design and development of the S31. R1731 and R2131 series “cooking stoves”, samples were submitted to Canadian Standards Association and tested to the industry safety standard for cooking appliances for recreational vehicles, ANSI Z21.57 for Safety Certification.  All tests for the design passed ALL of the safety criteria of this standard, and CSA Certification was granted prior to these models ever going into production.  The product is marked with the CSA Certification logo.

 

The S31, R1731 and R2131 series “cooking stoves” went into production and started coming off of the production line in Greenbrier in May of 2018.  Production lines at both Seven Universe in Ningbo, China and Dometic Greenbrier, Tennessee conducted gas leak tests according to the terms and production testing requirements of the CSA Certification.  Therefore, the two factories involved in the manufacture of these

“cooking stoves” were conducting gas leak tests on the product before they shipped.

 

On April 8^th, 2020 Dometic received a call from an OEM who was concerned about a “gas smell” that was reported on the R2131 series “cooking stove.” As a result, Dometic requested that the product be returned for examination and testing. There were repeated attempts between April 8^th and June 17^th to obtain the sample for review without those attempts being successful.  When the field unit was finally received, there was no indication of a leak in the accompanying paperwork and the unit was too severely damaged from poor packaging and shipment back to Dometic, making assessment or evaluation impossible.

 

On June 17^th Dometic became aware that the same user-customer had had a replacement installed but complained to NHTSA about the “gas smell”.  At this point Dometic had still not been able to evaluate any R1731 or R2131 field unit for the “gas smell”.  Dometic held a meeting and decided to launch an investigation that would evaluate stock in inventory, check the processes in the factories, and identify if an identifiable gas leak could be found or if there were related field issues. At the same time Dometic contacted the OEM to see if they had other leaks and if samples could be obtained that would aid in the identification of units that leaked gas at the burners. Follow up meetings were scheduled with the OEM so that updates could be reviewed.

 

Throughout June and most of July, Dometic assessed the factory processes and identified that both factories were not only doing the prescribed CSA production line tests but were also conducting an extra leak test at each location. Dometic also went through all warehouse inventory and conducted pressurized gas leak tests at random in each warehouse, on large quantities of inventory.  There were no leaks detected in any Dometic inventory.  All results were reported to the single OEM who had identified “gas smell” complaints.

 

At the same time, Dometic pulled multiple units from stock and tried to replicate the “gas smell” phenomena.  In all of the analysis, Dometic found that the only way to get “gas smell” leaks was to overtighten the securement bolt connecting the saddle valve to the manifold, either crushing the manifold or splitting the oring seal between the saddle valve and the manifold.  In discussions with the OEM about these results they identified 4 “gas smell” complaints, however no incidents of ignition or fire.  As a result, Dometic agreed to obtain a third party to conduct vibration testing on the R2131 “cooking stove” to a transit standard and review the results.

 

Over the July 4^th Holiday, Dometic was able to locate the OEM customer who had filed the complaint of “gas smell” with NHTSA.  This customer had a replacement sent to him that had not been installed. Dometic sent a representative there and exchanged the R2131 “Cooking Stove”.  In the process we learned, and the customer admitted to personally adjusting the “cooking stove” valves on a number of occasions.  The exchange was made, a new R2131 was installed and the Dometic representative applied Loc-tite to the saddle valve securement bolts to prevent the user from personally adjusting the securement bolts.  Once the install was completed, the customer complained of the “gas smell” but the Dometic representative followed up by conducting both the pressurized soapy spray test, the pressurized gas decay test on the entire “cooking stove” with NO INDICATION OF A LEAK.  The Customer was satisfied with the repair; there were no further complaints registered with Dometic from that customer.

 

On July 9^th due to the results of the field install and exchange with the noted end-use customer, as well as the information gained on process review and inventory testing, Dometic administered the introduction of loc-tite into production to prevent unauthorized installer and customer adjusting of the saddle valve to manifold connection.

 

On August 12^th Dometic received the results from the third party vibration testing.  In this test a control unit was sent from stock with no alterations.  In addition, two other sample units were sent that were modified with different approaches using loc-tite.  None of the units failed the J1455 transit test. The results were clear that even the rough environment of the J1455 transit test was not causing the saddle valve securement bolts to come loose. This supported Dometic’s previous assessment that Dometic R1731 and R2131 “cooking stoves” were experiencing unauthorized field adjustments. Dometic’s OEM customer agreed, and the investigation was closed.  Dometic understands from the OEM involved that this was reported to NHTSA in a final communication from the OEM.

 

On September 9^th Dometic received a complaint from a leasing company that 6 units that were in their fleet were reported to have experiences of the “gas smell” phenomena. Shortly thereafter two different OEM’s indicated that they were experiencing multiple “gas smell” complaints, and one of those OEM’s indicated that they had also experienced an ignition which, although contained in the “cooking stove” enclosure, distorted  the piezo igniter and one of the burner control knobs.

 

Dometic once again launched an investigation of the complaints and discussed this with the leasing company, and the two OEM’s.  The issues were reviewed in multiple discussions between September 9^th and 17^{t h}.

 

On September 17^th Dometic held a Safety Committee meeting and made the determination that although the earlier data collected identified a clear interaction of unauthorized product adjustment in the field, and a very low probability of a safety related defect, Dometic would file a Defect Notification Report per 573.6.  In the same meeting attendees identified that the S31 Series Cooking Stove had the same components from Seven Universe. Claims records were brought forward that clearly indicated that no warranty gas leak claims had been filed from beginning of production in 2018 to date on the S31 series “Cooking Stoves”.  However, since the components were identical and no one could define a difference in production processes, the decision was made to include the population of the S31 Series in the Defect Notification.  Therefore, Dometic provided the Defect Notification to NHTSA, September  24^th, 2020,  within the 5 days required by 573.6 from the time of product defect realization.

 

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1 Affected Product

Equipment

BRAND	PART NO.	PRODUCTION DATES
DOMETIC	COOKING STOVE

 

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16 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20E071-7974.PDF 211.23KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)-Dealer Letter

RCMN-20E071-0500.pdf 172.357KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 1

RCLRPT-20E071-1418.PDF 215.557KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document- R1731 and R2131 Chronology

RMISC-20E071-0739.pdf 77.274KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)-OEM Letter

RCMN-20E071-4792.pdf 120.309KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20E071-5910.pdf 246.5KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document-R2131 R1731 S31 NHTSA Defect Notification FINAL 9-24-2020

RMISC-20E071-9137.pdf 163.307KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)-OEM Letter-draft FINAL 9-28-2020

RCMN-20E071-0952.pdf 121.216KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20E071-9259.PDF 215.194KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document-Press Release FINAL 9-28-2020

RMISC-20E071-0614.pdf 126.136KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20E071-1203.pdf 1579.685KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20E071-5659.PDF 211.134KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 2

RCLRPT-20E071-6421.PDF 215.762KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20E071-5848.pdf 230.505KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20E071-3919.PDF 211.442KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #5, 2021-4

RCLQRT-20E071-0536.PDF 211.556KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20E071&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2026-06-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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