Understanding CPSC Recall Remedies
The remedy is the official action offered for an affected consumer product.
Common remedies
- Refund: full or partial payment under the conditions stated in the notice.
- Replacement: an affected item or component is exchanged.
- Repair: the company repairs the item or provides an approved repair kit.
- Modification: an approved change is made to reduce the identified hazard.
- Disposal: the notice may provide special disposal instructions.
Do not improvise a repair
If a notice calls for a repair or modification, use only the method authorized in the official notice. An unofficial repair may not address the hazard and could affect eligibility for the remedy.
Information to gather
Before contacting the recalling company, gather the model or item number, serial or date code, purchase information, photographs requested by the company, and the official recall number. Do not publish serial numbers or receipts containing personal information.
Check the current notice
Remedy availability, contact information, and instructions can change. Use the official CPSC link on the record to confirm the current process. Stop-use language should be followed exactly as published.
Before requesting the remedy
Confirm the model, serial or date-code range first. Then record the recall number and read what documentation is requested. Some remedies require registration, a photograph showing destruction, return of a component, or scheduling a technician. Keep copies of confirmation messages and shipment or service details without publishing personal information.
Example: visually similar products
A recalled appliance may look identical to a later model with a revised internal component. Compare the model and date code on the rating plate rather than relying on color or shape. Conversely, a notice may cover several colors that share the same model. Treat the official identifier list as the controlling description.
Used, gifted, or secondhand items
A remedy may still apply when the original receipt is unavailable, but eligibility rules vary. Do not assume that a secondhand item is excluded or guaranteed to qualify. Gather the product identifiers and contact the recalling company through the official CPSC notice. Never resell or donate an item confirmed as affected.
Frequently asked questions
Should I keep using the product while waiting?
Follow the notice. If it says “stop use immediately,” stop using it. Find a Recall does not replace those instructions.
Can I use a repair video found online?
Only use the remedy authorized by the official notice. An unofficial change may fail to address the hazard and could affect remedy eligibility.
After contacting the company
Write down the date, contact method, case number, and instructions received. Confirm whether the company expects you to stop using, return, disable, photograph, destroy, or retain the product. If spoken instructions appear inconsistent with the current CPSC notice, ask for clarification through the official contact information. Keep personal correspondence private and report an indexed-data discrepancy to Find a Recall separately from a remedy request.
Prepared by the Find a Recall Editorial Team | Last reviewed: July 30, 2026
Editorial questions or corrections: support@findarecall.net