Norcold/refrigerator cooling unit fire
Defect Summary
Refrigerator cooling units model numbers 442, 443, 452, ev452, 453, 462, ev462, 463, ev463, 482, ev482, 483, ev483, 874, and 875 manufactured between january 1987 and may 1995. these refrigerators can experience a break down in a rubber seal within the gas valve. as the rubber seal ages, a leak may occur, allowing propane gas to accumulate in the burner area.
Safety Consequence
The consequence can result in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.
Corrective Action
Norcold will notify its customers and offer a new like-size refrigerator at no charge. owner notification began august 30, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact norcold service center at 1-937-497-3080.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Norcold Inc. or involving Equipment.
FAQ: Recall 02E044000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 02E044000?
NHTSA recall 02E044000 was issued by Norcold Inc. on July 24, 2002. It addresses: Norcold/refrigerator cooling unit fire. The recall affects approximately 180,455 vehicles, with the defect involving the Equipment component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Norcold Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 02E044000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.