October 20th, 2025 (Chicago, IL) – VESTA.DS, Inc., of Ontario, California has recalled Gas-Fired Tankless Water Heaters due to the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. A flaw can cause the exhaust duct to become cracked and allow poisonous gas to leak into the home.
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To date, over 33 reports of cracked exhaust ducts have been received, though no injuries from this unreasonably dangerous situation have been noted so far.
If you or a loved one suffered injury due to carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a defective product, you have options. Call Ankin Law at 312-600-0000 and get compensation for your injuries.
What Products Are Affected By the Tankless Water Heater Recall?
To date, around 36,700 units in the United States and 3,500 units in Canada are affected by the recall. It affects the company’s VST-brand residential wall-mounted gas boilers, series VT, VR, and VR Plus, with model numbers VRS-150, VRS-199, VRP-150, VRP-199, VRS Plus-150, VRS Plus-199, VRP Plus-150, VRP Plus-199, VTS-150, VTS-199, VTP-150, and VTP-199. The number is located near the top of the white label, and it is bolded.
The units are made of metal, they are rectangular in shape, and they have either VST printed in white on the control panel near the bottom of the panel, or VESTA.DS.Inc. printed in gray near the top of the panel.
Why Is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
Carbon Monoxide is a dangerous gas that is odorless and colorless, and can often be hard to detect. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it binds to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells with an affinity over 250 times greater than oxygen. This binding prevents oxygen from binding to the blood and prevents it from being transported to your body’s tissues. This can lead to a whole host of problems, from dizziness to headaches, and even fainting and death. This is especially dangerous in enclosed spaces.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused for flu-like symptoms, making it that much harder to detect, which can lead to delayed action and treatment, resulting in injury or death to affected individuals.
Even if an individual survives carbon monoxide poisoning, there is still a chance that they will suffer permanent damage to their brain and/or heart.
Infants and unborn children are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning, as their developing hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide easier than adult hemoglobin. This means they can be more severely affected by carbon monoxide poisoning than adults experiencing exposure at the same levels.
What Remedy Is the Company Offering for This Recall?
Consumers who have units affected by the gas-fired tankless water heater recall are advised to contact VESTA.DS, so a qualified technician can come out and repair the unit with a replacement exhaust duct. It is recommended that you cease use of this product until the repair has been completed to lower the risk of serious injury or death. If you must continue using your defective water heater while waiting on it to be repaired, make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.
Can I Claim Damages for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Caused by a Defective Product?
You can claim damages for carbon monoxide poisoning if your exposure was caused by a defect or manufacturing error that caused the product to not function as intended, and you suffered injuries or lost a loved one. To recover compensation, you don’t need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent in the design, manufacturing, or testing of the product. You’ll just need to show that a defect allowed gas to leak out of the product, causing your injuries. Damages you can claim in a product liability lawsuit include:
- Economic Damages: This can include medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages can include loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
- Punitive Damages: In the event the liable party’s actions are considered particularly egregious, the court may award punitive damages to the injured party as a way of punishing the party responsible for their injuries and discouraging future behaviors.
Who Can I Hold Liable in a Product Liability Case Involving a Dangerous Water Heater?
Liability in a product defect case depends on where the problem occurred in the product’s chain of distribution. If the defect stems from a manufacturing error, the manufacturer may be responsible for any injuries caused by the unsafe product. However, other parties may share liability as well. For example, a shipper or distributor could be liable if the product was damaged during transport due to improper handling, or a retailer could be held accountable if the product was stored incorrectly, altered, or sold after being damaged.
Because multiple parties may be involved, it’s important to consult an experienced product liability attorney who can investigate the source of the defect, identify all potentially liable parties, and build a strong case for compensation.
How Ankin Law Can Help You
Ankin Law has decades of experienced with product liability cases. Our experienced team of lawyers holds negligent companies responsible for their egregious mistakes. We have what it takes to go up against these big companies, and we don’t back down. At Ankin Law, you can expect:
- 24/7 legal help
- Experienced and personalized handling of your case
- NO upfront fees
- Contingency fee structure
Do not delay. Protect your right to fair and full compensation and get Ankin Law on your side. Call 312-600-0000 to speak with an attorney.
