On July 18, 2024, Bissell issued a recall of about 3.2 million steam cleaners in the United States, with an additional 355,000 recalled in Canada. Customers with these products should check them immediately to see if they may need to return them for a full refund.
At the time of the recall, Bissell was aware of 183 reports of hot water or steam escaping from the product, including 157 reports of minor burn injuries.
Bissell Recalling Several Models of Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaners
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the recall involves multiple models of the Bissell Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaners in the model series 39N7 and 2994. The words “steam shot” or “power steamer” are printed on the side of the product. Customers can find the model numbers on the product rating label located at the bottom of the unit.
The steam cleaners were sold in several colors—green, pink, blue, orange, white, black, purple, and red—at Target, Walmart, and other department and home goods stores nationwide. They were also sold online at www.bissell.com, www.amazon.com, www.hsn.com, and other websites from August 2008 through May 2024 for between $35 and $40, or $70 for a two-pack.
Manufactured in China, the products were imported by Bissell Homecare Inc., of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Design defects in the product can cause them to discharge hot water or steam onto users during heating or use, posing a risk of serious burns.
Customers Must Fill Out a Form to Get Credit or Refund
To compensate consumers, Bissell is offering a choice between $60 USD/$82 CAD digital credit for Bissell.com or Canada.Bissell.com or a $40 USD/$55 CAD refund, both delivered in up to six (6) weeks from submission of information.
If you own one of these products, Bissell has a set of instructions for you to follow to get your credit or refund.
- Stop using the steamer immediately.
- Search for the model number. If your unit is subject to the recall, take a photo of the product information sticker.
- Remove the product label and place it on the side of the machine under the Bissell logo. If you can’t remove the logo, cut the electric cord.
- Take a photo verifying the product label and cut the cord.
- If you have more than one product, please complete these steps for each one.
- Fill out the form on the Bissell recall website to request your credit or refund.
- Once you have received your credit or refund, dispose of the steam cleaner.
Customers can contact Bissell by phone at US 1-855-417-7001, Canada 1-855-739-1702 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, or by email at RecallNA@bissell.com.
Steam Cleaners Generally Safe and Effective
Steam cleaners can be particularly helpful for allergy sufferers, as they not only clean away dust and other allergens, but also help disinfect and deodorize without the chemicals that often trigger allergic reactions.
Generally considered safe and healthy to use, steam cleaners can be dangerous in some instances. Those that are defective, such as certain models of the Bissell Steam Shot noted above, may burn consumers during use.
Even those that are not defective should always be used carefully. Unplug the steamer when filling with water and/or detergents, for example, and regularly check for damage to the cables and plug. Don’t use the cleaner around any open electrical points or wiring, and steam clean windows only on warm days. Doing so on a very cold day could cause the glass to crack due to the differences in temperature inside and out.
Exclusively focused on representing plaintiffs—especially in mass tort litigation—Roopal Luhana prides herself on providing unsurpassed professional legal services in pursuit of the specific goals of her clients and their families. While she handles complex cases nationwide on behalf of consumers, Ms. Luhana resides with her family in Brooklyn, New York.
