October 30, 2026 — A Rheem RTEX-27 tankless electric water heater reportedly malfunctioned violently, causing multiple explosions, shooting sparks, and a brief electrical fire in a consumer’s garage. The incident, which occurred on October 3, 2026, highlights significant safety concerns regarding these household appliances.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On October 3, 2026, approximately three years after its installation, a Rheem RTEX-27 tankless electric water heater located in an attached garage reportedly failed catastrophically. The incident began with a loud bang, prompting the homeowners to investigate. Upon opening the door from the house to the garage, they were met with a terrifying scene: multiple explosions with bright sparks shooting across the garage at head height. The homeowner’s husband had to carefully time his movement, ducking under the dangerous electrical discharge, to reach the electrical panel and shut off the breakers to the unit. Two-inch flames were observed coming from the top of the water heater, which thankfully self-extinguished once the power was cut, preventing the fire from spreading beyond the appliance itself.
The garage quickly filled with thick white smoke from the electrical fire, necessitating ventilation by opening the large garage door. Although no one suffered burns or required emergency medical treatment, the occupants did inhale smoke. The unit was reportedly in normal household use, supplying hot water for the family, with no unusual activities occurring at the time of the malfunction. Following the incident, photographs taken by the consumer show visible scorching around the electrical terminals, as well as blue-green corrosion and white mineral deposits on one of the three copper heating chambers next to a small brass fitting. The family is preserving the damaged unit for further inspection. The manufacturer informed their plumber the unit was out of warranty and would not be replaced, prompting the consumer to directly contact Rheem for a safety incident review.
Safety Concerns
This incident raises serious safety concerns related to the potential for catastrophic failure in electric tankless water heaters.
- Immediate Dangers: The primary and most immediate danger is the risk of electrical fire and explosion. The report describes “several explosions” and “sparks shooting across the garage at head height,” which could easily cause severe burns, electrocution, or blunt force trauma if a person was in the immediate vicinity. The presence of flames, even brief ones, indicates a significant fire hazard that could rapidly escalate, especially if flammable materials are stored nearby or if the incident occurs when residents are asleep or away from home. Inhaling smoke from an electrical fire can also cause respiratory distress and other health issues.
- Long-Term Risks: Undetected issues leading to such a failure could pose a risk over time. Electrical faults, corrosion, or material degradation could gradually develop, leading to sudden and violent malfunctions without warning.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone in the vicinity of the appliance at the time of failure is at risk. This includes family members, pets, or anyone accessing the garage.
- Property Damage Potential: While the fire in this specific incident did not spread, the potential for extensive property damage from an uncontrolled electrical fire is substantial. Garages often contain vehicles, tools, and other valuable items, all of which could be destroyed. Structural damage to the home itself is also a significant concern. The presence of scorching, corrosion, and deposits suggests a potential underlying material or electrical component failure that warrants thorough investigation to prevent recurrence.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Rheem RTEX-27 or a similar electric tankless water heater, here are steps you should consider:
- Immediate Safety: If you witness any unusual sounds (loud bangs, popping), smells (burning plastic, electrical odor), or visible issues (sparks, smoke, flames) coming from your water heater, immediately and safely cut power to the unit at your main electrical panel if possible without exposing yourself to danger. Evacuate the area and call emergency services (e.g., 911) if there’s a fire or immediate danger.
- Check Your Product: Verify if you own a Rheem RTEX-27. You can typically find the model number and serial number on a label affixed to the unit itself.
- Regular Maintenance and Inspection: While tankless water heaters generally require less maintenance than traditional tanks, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. This may include annual flushing to prevent mineral buildup and ensuring all electrical connections are secure and free from corrosion. Consider having a qualified electrician or plumber periodically inspect the unit’s electrical components and connections.
- Professional Installation: Ensure all water heaters are installed by licensed professionals in accordance with local codes and manufacturer instructions. Improper installation can contribute to future malfunctions.
- Monitor for Warning Signs: Pay attention to any unusual changes in performance, water leaks, discolored water, or strange noises coming from your unit. Do not ignore these signs.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident or discover a potential defect, immediately report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov. This helps the CPSC track incidents and potentially initiate recalls or safety campaigns. Also, contact the manufacturer directly to report the incident and request a safety review.
Manufacturer’s Response
The consumer reported that when they contacted Rheem Sales Company, Inc. about the incident and requested a safety incident review of the Rheem RTEX-27 water heater, the manufacturer responded affirmatively to conduct the review. Previously, the manufacturer had informed the consumer’s plumber that the unit was out of warranty and would not be replaced.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
Licensed to practice law ONLY in California.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.