23rd Oct 2026
Is My RV Refrigerator Under Recall? Norcold and Dometic Recalls Explained
SAFETY · RECALLS
Is My RV Refrigerator Under Recall? Norcold and Dometic Recalls Explained
The Norcold and Dometic fridge recalls, how to check your serial numbers, and who to contact now that Norcold has gone through bankruptcy. Updated October 2026.
A VIN check probably won’t show it
NHTSA’s VIN lookup doesn’t show recalls more than 15 years old. Almost every Norcold and Dometic fridge recall dates from 1999–2010, so a clean VIN result doesn’t mean your fridge is clear. Check the fridge’s own model and serial numbers against the ranges below.
Signs of a leaking cooling unit: stop using the fridge
- Yellow powder or residue on the back of the fridge or in the burner area
- An ammonia smell
- Staining at the back, or the fridge suddenly not cooling
- Dometic says to shut the fridge down until it’s repaired if you see any of these. Turn off both gas and electric.
How to check your fridge
STEP 1
Find the model and serial number
Dometic: on the sticker inside the fridge compartment. Norcold: on the ID label inside the fridge. Norcold 1200-series fridges also have a separate cooling unit serial number on the back of the unit, and you need both.
STEP 2
Compare them with the tables below
Your model must be on the list and your serial must fall in the range.
STEP 3
Norcold 1200 / 1210 owners: look for the HTS kit
The recall fix is a high-temperature sensor (HTS) kit with an indicator light and a yellow/blue tag. If your unit is in range and has no kit, don’t run it until it’s checked.
STEP 4
Contact the right people
Contacts for 2026 are at the bottom of this page.
Norcold recalls
| Recall | Models | Serial / build range | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10E-049 (replaced 02E-045, 08E-030, 09E-026, 09E-027) | 1200LR, 1200LRIM, 1201LRIM, 1210, 1211 | Fridge serial 315525–13088811 and cooling unit serial 700000–13085759 | Cooling unit leak can lead to fire; earlier fixes may not shut off fast enough | High-temperature sensor kit (HTS, P/N 634737), dealer-installed, free |
| 02E-019 | N621, N641, N821, N841 cooling units | Cooling unit serial 1038000–1099000 (mostly 1999–2000 RVs) | Leak in AC mode; long AC operation of a leaking unit can cause a fire | Cooling unit replaced |
| 18E-013 | N305, N305.3, N306, N306.3 | Serial 27378283–28230836, built Sept 15, 2017–Feb 15, 2018 | Gas valve port screws loose or missing; propane leak | Dealer inspects and tightens |
| 99E-036 | 322 / 323 (listed under N260 / N300) | Built Aug 1992–Aug 1999, serial below 734884 | Brass swivel nut on the gas valve can crack and leak propane | Replacement kit |
| 02E-044 | 442, 443, 452, 453, 462, 463, 482, 483, EV versions, 874, 875 | Built Jan 1987–May 1995 (per-model ranges on Thetford’s recall page) | Aging gas valve seal can leak propane | Remedy kit |
Sources: Thetford/Norcold recall page and NHTSA recall documents. Norcold says only a dealer or service center can install the HTS kit.
Norcold HTS indicator light
- Solid red: the HTS has tripped. Turn the fridge off, unplug it and call a service center.
- Slow flash (about once a second): low DC voltage.
- Fast flash (2–3 times a second): broken thermistor wire.
- Never bypass the HTS. Only a service center can clear it. See also 1200/1210 L1 oP code and LI OP / 6 flashes.
Dometic recalls
| Recall | Models | Built / serial | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06E-076 | NDR1062, RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852, RM2862, RM3662, RM3663, RM3862, RM3863 | April 1997–May 2003. Serials starting 713–752, 801–852, 901–952, 001–052, 101–152, 201–252, 301–319 | Boiler tube can crack and release coolant near the flame | Secondary burner housing kit, free |
| 08E-032 | Same two-door family (RM3863 not confirmed) | June 2003–Sept 2006. Serials starting 320–352, 401–452, 501–552, 601–639 | Same as 06E-076 | Secondary burner housing kit, free |
Serial ranges taken from NHTSA recall documents (the first three digits shown). Check against your sticker. The RM3762 is not on either list.
Dometic’s advice until the kit is installed
- Avoid propane: close the manual gas valve at the back near the floor (1/4 turn clockwise).
- Avoid electric operation when you can, especially while driving or sleeping. On 3-way models (ending in 3), 12V is the lowest-risk mode.
- If you must run it before repair, inspect the burner area weekly.
- Book first. Some shops don’t do recall work, so call before you go.
Not on a recall list
- Norcold 2117 / 2118: no recall found.
- Norcold N6 / N8 built 2009–2013 and 1200s built 2002–2012: not recalled, but covered by a class-action settlement (Etter v. Norcold) that closed in 2016.
- Norcold 12V compressor fridges (N8DC–N20DC): no recall found.
Who to contact in 2026
Norcold LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 3, 2025, and sold its assets to Dave Carter & Associates (DCA). The plan was confirmed in February 2026.
- Norcold recall claims: Norcold’s liquidating trustee (Province Fiduciary Services) handles them through its lawyers, Brinkman Law Group: (818) 597-2992, norcold@brinkmanlaw.com. Thetford’s recall contact form is also still online.
- Norcold warranty (sold before Nov 3, 2025): DCA agreed to take on warranty claims up to the value of a refrigerator. Email contactus@davecarter.com.
- Is the free HTS kit still available? We couldn’t find anything that says either way. Ask the trustee’s lawyers before you book a dealer.
- Dometic recall line: 888-446-5157. Dealer locator on dometic.com.
- NHTSA: 888-327-4236, or nhtsa.gov/recalls (use the Equipment tab or the recall number). Report fridge fires there too.
Out of range but want the protection?
Thetford says the Norcold temperature monitor (part 637360) is available for 1200-series units outside the recall range, at the owner’s cost.
Replacing an old 1200 instead?
Norcold’s 12V N15DC is the common replacement. See The 1200/1210 is gone: the N15DCSS replaced it.
Parts for this repair
Shop by category: Norcold 1200/1210 parts, Dometic cooling units, N15DC parts.
FAQ
How do I know if my Norcold refrigerator is recalled?
Check the model and both serial numbers (fridge and cooling unit on 1200-series units) against the ranges above. The big one is 10E-049 for the 1200LR, 1200LRIM, 1201LRIM, 1210 and 1211.
Will a VIN search show an RV fridge recall?
Usually not. NHTSA’s VIN lookup leaves out recalls older than 15 years, and nearly all of these are older.
Is the Dometic RM3762 recalled?
It isn’t on either Dometic recall list (06E-076 or 08E-032). Those cover the RM2652/2662/2663, RM2852/2862, RM3662/3663, RM3862/3863 and NDR1062.
Who handles Norcold recalls after the bankruptcy?
The liquidating trustee, through Brinkman Law Group: (818) 597-2992, norcold@brinkmanlaw.com.
What are the warning signs of a leaking RV fridge?
Yellow residue, an ammonia smell, staining at the back or a sudden loss of cooling. Shut the fridge off (gas and electric) and have it inspected.
Still stuck? Ask a tech with your model, serial number and what you’ve found. We’ll confirm the part before you order.
From Thetford/Norcold’s recall page (updated June 2026), Dometic’s recall page, NHTSA recall documents and court filings. RV Fridge Guys isn’t affiliated with Norcold or Dometic; confirm your fridge’s status with them.