Blog · Waterloo
How to check if your washer, dryer, fridge or dishwasher has been recalled in Canada
Recalled appliances stay in kitchens and laundry rooms for years because nobody checks. Searching takes five minutes once you have the model number, and a recall remedy is arranged through the manufacturer rather than a paid repair.
Last updated September 25, 2026 · Reviewed by the Waterloo Appliance Repair team
Why appliance recalls matter
Health Canada issues consumer product recalls when a product could cause injury, death or adverse health effects. For major appliances, the hazards involved are usually fire, burns or electric shock, because these machines combine heat, high current and water. The remedy is set out in the recall notice and arranged through the manufacturer.
Recalls matter most for appliances that were bought used, came with the house, or sit in a rental unit where the owner never registered them. That describes a lot of the machines in Waterloo's student houses and in resale homes in older neighbourhoods.
Step 1: find the model and serial number
Recalls are almost always defined by model number and a range of serial numbers or manufacturing dates. Brand alone is not enough. Where to look:
- Refrigerator: on a label inside the fresh food compartment, usually on a side wall near the top or behind the crisper drawers.
- Dishwasher: on the edge of the door or the side of the tub, visible when the door is open.
- Front-load washer: inside the door frame or on the back. Top-load: under the lid or on the back of the control panel.
- Dryer: inside the door opening or on the back.
- Range or wall oven: behind the storage drawer, on the frame when the oven door is open, or under the cooktop.
Take a clear photo of the label. You will want it for the recall search, for the manufacturer, and for any repair visit.
Step 2: search Canada's recall database
The Government of Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts site brings consumer product recalls from Health Canada together with food and vehicle recalls. You can search by brand, product type or model number. Tips:
- Search the brand plus the appliance type ("dishwasher", "dryer") first, then open each result and compare model numbers exactly.
- Check archived recalls too; appliances last longer than a recall's time on the front page.
- Match the model number exactly, not just the brand and a similar-looking photo. Recalls often cover only certain models or production dates.
The site also offers email subscriptions and feeds by category if you want to hear about new consumer product recalls as they are posted.
Step 3: if your appliance is on the list
Health Canada's advice is to follow the manufacturer's instructions in the recall notice. If the notice does not give instructions, or you have questions, contact the manufacturer by phone or through its website. Two things Health Canada says not to do:
- Do not pass the recalled product on to someone else. If it is unsafe for you, it is unsafe for them. That includes selling it or leaving it at the curb with a "free" sign.
- Do not throw it out without guidance. The recall remedy may depend on returning the product or a part.
Most appliance recall notices tell you to stop using the product or a specific function until the remedy is done. Take that seriously for anything involving heat or wiring.
Registering new appliances
Manufacturers can only contact owners they know about. When you buy a new appliance, register it with the manufacturer using the card in the manual or the brand's website. If a recall is issued later, registered owners can be contacted directly rather than relying on news coverage.
Step 4: report a problem that is not recalled
If an appliance overheated, sparked, smoked, or injured someone and it is not on the recall list, you can report the incident to Health Canada through the same Recalls and Safety Alerts site. Include the brand, model, photos of the product, label and any damage, and the date and details of what happened.
What this means for Waterloo landlords
A rental house near the universities might have a fridge, range, dishwasher and stacked laundry pair from four different years and three different owners. For landlords, a simple habit pays off:
- Keep a list of every appliance by address with its model and serial number and a photo of the label.
- Search the list against the recall database at each tenant turnover.
- Subscribe to consumer product alerts for the brands you own.
The appliance technician behind this site records model and serial numbers on every diagnosis done under rental property appliance service, which gives you that list as a by-product.
Recall, repair, or something else?
A recall remedy is handled by the manufacturer. If your machine is not recalled but is acting up, especially a dryer running hot, a range element that will not turn off, or a dishwasher with a burning smell, stop using it and book a diagnosis. The technician covers dishwasher repair, stove, oven and range repair and the rest, from uptown Waterloo to Kitchener. For typical repair ranges, see the Waterloo appliance repair cost guide, or describe the problem.