Health Canada published a joint recall on October 16, 2025 for Vesta tankless water heaters sold under the VRS and VRP model families, after reports that the exhaust duct can crack. The recall notice (RA-78282) was issued with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the distributor, VESTA.DS, Inc. of Ontario, California. The units were made in South Korea by Daesung Celtic Enersys.
This is the most recent tankless water heater recall we found on the federal recalls site when we checked in October 2026. Earlier tankless recalls on that site date back several years.
What the recall covers
The short answer: eight models, with every serial number of the base models and a defined range of the Plus models.
According to Health Canada, the affected products are:
| Model | Serial numbers included |
|---|---|
| VRS-150, VRS-199 (white) | All |
| VRP-150, VRP-199 (white) | All |
| VRS Plus-150, VRS Plus-199 (dark grey) | Starting 6LM or 6LN, or 6LO followed by A, B, C, D, E or F |
| VRP Plus-150, VRP Plus-199 (dark grey) | Same ranges as the VRS Plus |
The notice also lists the full model numbers and UPC codes for each unit. Anyone checking a specific heater should match the rating plate against that table rather than rely on the short model name.
The numbers in the notice
The short answer: about 3,500 Canadian units, 10 Canadian reports, no injuries reported.
Health Canada reports that 3,496 of the heaters were sold in Canada and 36,700 in the United States, between May 2017 and July 2025. As of October 10, 2025, the company had received 10 reports of cracked exhaust ducts in Canada and 33 in the U.S. No injuries or deaths had been reported in either country.
The hazard is carbon monoxide. If the duct cracks, combustion gases can escape indoors, and the notice warns that this can lead to serious injury or death.
Technical Safety BC republished the recall on its own recalls page, which is where many BC gas contractors check for product alerts. Its summary matches the federal notice and points readers back to Health Canada for model details.
What owners are told to do
The short answer: stop using the heater and contact VESTA.DS for a free repair.
The notice tells consumers to stop using the recalled water heater immediately and contact VESTA.DS, which will have a certified technician install a free repair. It lists a toll-free line staffed on weekdays during Eastern business hours, plus two recall web pages. It does not describe the repair itself.
Analysis: what this means for tankless installers
This section is TanklessNews.ca analysis, not part of the recall notice.
Ten reports across roughly 3,500 units is a small number, but the defect sits in the vent path, which is exactly where homeowners already worry about tankless units. A few practical points for contractors:
- Check your own install records. Most companies can search their job software for "Vesta", "VRS" or "VRP". A short, factual message to past customers who have one, with the Health Canada link, is a service, not a sales pitch.
- Train the phone team. Customers who read a news story will call the company that installed the heater, not the distributor. Give whoever answers the phone a two-line script: what the recall covers, and that the remedy is arranged through VESTA.DS.
- Don't overstate your role. Unless VESTA.DS has named your company as a service provider for the recall, don't advertise "recall repairs". Say you can help owners identify whether their unit is affected and explain the next step.
- Put the date on anything you publish. A recall page that still reads as current two years later looks careless. Date it, link the notice, and review it when the notice changes.
- Treat the recall as a reminder about CO alarms. Without inventing statistics, it is reasonable to remind customers to test the carbon monoxide alarms near any fuel-burning appliance, and to point them to their provincial safety regulator for the local rules.
How this connects to our coverage
The short answer: venting and combustion safety run through most of what we report.
Recalls are one of the few tankless stories that reach homeowners directly, so the questions land on contractors quickly. Our explainer on plastic vent rules when a tankless heater is replaced covers the venting side, and the newsroom lists every story with its source date.
If you'd like help writing a customer notice or a recall FAQ page that stays accurate, our rebate, code and recall content service is built for that. We are a marketing service, not a contractor, so we don't inspect or repair heaters; we help installers communicate clearly. Call, text or email, or read how we work first.
Frequently asked questions
Which Vesta tankless models are recalled?
Health Canada lists the VRS-150, VRS-199, VRP-150 and VRP-199 (all serial numbers) and the VRS Plus and VRP Plus 150 and 199 models with serial numbers starting 6LM or 6LN, or 6LO followed by A to F. Check the notice for model numbers and UPCs.
What is the hazard?
The exhaust duct can crack, which can let combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, escape into the home. As of October 10, 2025, Canada had 10 reports of cracked ducts and no reported injuries.
What should a homeowner with an affected unit do?
Health Canada tells owners to stop using the water heater immediately and contact VESTA.DS to arrange a free repair by a certified technician. The notice lists the company's phone line and recall web pages.
Can a contractor advertise recall repairs?
A contractor can explain the recall and point owners to the official notice, but the remedy is arranged through VESTA.DS. Marketing should not suggest a contractor is the official recall provider unless the company has confirmed that in writing.