A.O. Smith is recalling about 250 John Wood brand 50-gallon and 70-gallon oil-fired water heaters. The combustion chamber in these heaters can be misaligned, causing the exterior walls of the tank to heat up instead of the water. This defect can cause nearby combustible materials to catch fire. These gray water heaters were sold by plumbers and sales representatives between January 2014 and March 2015. A.O. Smith is providing a free inspection and a free replacement for all affected units.
The misaligned combustion chamber directs intense heat toward the outer shell of the water heater. If flammable materials are stored near the unit, they can ignite, posing a serious risk of fire and burn injuries to residents.
Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters and contact A.O. Smith for a free inspection and free replacement of misaligned water heaters.
John Wood brand model JW517 50 gallon oil-fired water heater
John Wood brand model JW717 70 gallon oil-fired water heater
Rating plate with model, size and serial number
If you or a family member were harmed by this recalled product, you may have legal rights. Consider consulting a consumer protection attorney to understand your options for compensation.
This is general information, not legal advice. Go Backs is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.
AI-Enhanced Content: The summary, action steps, and risk assessment on this page were generated by AI from official government recall data to improve readability. This is not legal or medical advice. Always refer to the official agency sources below for authoritative information.
Sources: CPSC Notice · Raw API Response