Published by The recall involves about 38,000 Rainbow SRX water-based filtration vacuum cleaners sold in the United States, plus about 4,800 sold in Canada. The affected vacuums were sold by independent authorized Rainbow distributors nationwide from June 2019 through June 2020 for about $3,200.
CPSC reported two incidents of Rainbow SRX vacuums catching fire at the time of the recall. No injuries were reported in the recall notice, but the risk involved fire and burn hazards serious enough for consumers to stop using affected units and seek a free repair.
Consumers who experienced burns, smoke exposure, property damage, or other losses involving a recalled Rainbow SRX vacuum may want to preserve the product, serial number, sales records, photographs, repair communications, and insurance documentation for a legal evaluation.
Quick Facts
- Rexair recalled Rainbow SRX vacuums on June 17, 2020, due to fire and burn hazards.
- The recall involves model RHCS19 Type 120 with serial numbers 22003399 through 22077889.
- CPSC reported two incidents of recalled SRX vacuums catching fire.
- Consumers were instructed to unplug affected vacuums and contact an authorized Rainbow distributor for a free repair.
Table Of Contents
- Latest News & Updates on Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuits
- What Is the Rainbow SRX Vacuum?
- Reported Risks or Injuries
- How Does the Problem Occur, and Who May Be Liable?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Do I Qualify?
- Do I Have a Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit?
- Important Legal Actions or Recalls
- Potential Compensation
- Legal Process Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions About Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuits
- What is the Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit Evaluation about?
- Which Rainbow vacuums were recalled?
- Why were Rainbow SRX vacuums recalled?
- Who may qualify for a Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit?
- Were injuries reported in the Rainbow SRX recall?
- What should I do if I still have a recalled Rainbow SRX vacuum?
- What evidence should I save for a Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit?
- Can I bring a claim for property damage only?
- References
Latest News & Updates on Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuits
June 2020
CPSC announced that Rexair recalled Rainbow SRX vacuums because the circuit board on the vacuum can spark, posing fire and burn hazards. The recall notice states that consumers should immediately unplug and stop using affected SRX vacuums and contact an authorized Rainbow distributor for a free repair [1].
The American Burn Association explains that electrical injuries may require medical evaluation because internal damage may not be visible right away. That concern may be relevant when a product sparks, catches fire, or exposes a consumer to electrical current or heat [2].
NFPA home electrical safety guidance warns that fires can start when heat builds up near combustible materials or when electrical equipment malfunctions. Household appliance fires may create risks beyond the product itself, including smoke damage, structural damage, and injury during evacuation or attempted extinguishment [3].
What Is the Rainbow SRX Vacuum?
The Rainbow SRX is a water-based filtration vacuum cleaner manufactured by Rexair LLC of Troy, Michigan. The recalled vacuum is predominantly black with blue trim and rubber trim around the base.
The affected product has an “SRX” logo on the right and left front panels and a clear water basin at the base. The recall only covers Rainbow SRX vacuums with model number RHCS19 Type 120 and serial numbers from 22003399 through 22077889.
Consumers can identify the recalled vacuum by checking the model number label and serial number location shown in the CPSC recall materials. Sales receipts may also help identify the authorized distributor that sold the unit.
Because Rainbow vacuums are often expensive household appliances sold through distributor relationships, repair records and distributor communications may become important. A consumer who had a fire incident should preserve not only the vacuum but also the sales receipt, repair history, and any recall-related messages.
Reported Risks or Injuries
The reported hazard is that the circuit board on the vacuum can spark, creating fire and burn hazards. CPSC reported two incidents of SRX vacuums catching fire.
No injuries were reported in the CPSC recall notice. However, a sparking circuit board can create risks of thermal burns, electrical exposure, smoke inhalation, property damage, or injury while trying to move or unplug the appliance.
Potential harms may include burns to the hands or arms, smoke-related symptoms, damage to flooring or furniture, and fire damage to surrounding property. If a consumer attempted to extinguish a vacuum fire, secondary injuries may also be relevant.
Medical evaluation may be important after electrical or burn exposure, especially if symptoms include pain, blistering, numbness, weakness, breathing difficulty, dizziness, or signs of smoke inhalation. Property-damage documentation may also matter if the incident caused fire or smoke damage inside the home.
How Does the Problem Occur, and Who May Be Liable?
The alleged problem occurs when the circuit board inside the vacuum sparks. If the spark contacts nearby components, dust, plastic, wiring, or other combustible material, it may create a fire risk.
In a product liability investigation, attorneys may examine the circuit board, wiring, power components, thermal protection, product warnings, repair program, quality-control records, and prior incident history. The investigation may also consider whether the recall repair adequately addressed the hazard.
Potentially liable parties may include the manufacturer, distributor, seller, repair provider, or other companies in the product chain. Liability depends on the facts, including whether the vacuum was within the recalled serial-number range, whether the defect caused the incident, and what damages resulted.
The repair-remedy structure may also matter. If a consumer reported difficulty obtaining a repair, continued to use the product without receiving adequate notice, or suffered a loss before learning of the recall, those facts may become relevant to a case review.
Who May Be Affected?
Consumers who bought a Rainbow SRX vacuum with model number RHCS19 Type 120 and a serial number from 22003399 through 22077889 may be affected. The vacuums were sold nationwide through independent authorized Rainbow distributors from June 2019 through June 2020.
People who experienced smoke, fire, burns, or property damage while using a recalled Rainbow SRX may be especially relevant for a legal evaluation. The affected person does not necessarily have to be the original purchaser if they were injured while using or standing near the vacuum.
Homeowners and renters may also have property-damage concerns if the vacuum caused smoke damage, floor damage, furniture damage, or broader fire loss. Insurance claims, fire department records, and repair estimates may help document those losses.
Do I Qualify?
You may qualify for a legal review if you owned or used a recalled Rainbow SRX vacuum and experienced a fire, burn injury, smoke exposure, or property damage. The review will likely focus on product identification, incident details, injury severity, repair history, and available documentation.
Helpful evidence may include:
- The Rainbow SRX vacuum, model label, serial number, water basin, cord, attachments, and damaged components
- Sales receipts, distributor records, financing documents, warranty records, or recall repair communications
- Photos or videos of the vacuum, fire damage, smoke damage, burn injuries, flooring, furniture, or surrounding area
- Medical records, urgent care notes, burn treatment records, prescriptions, or smoke-exposure evaluations
- Insurance claims, fire department reports, repair estimates, cleaning invoices, or property-damage records
Consumers should not throw away or repair a vacuum involved in a fire incident before speaking with a lawyer if they believe the product may be evidence. Product condition can be important because experts may need to inspect the circuit board, wiring, and damaged components.
Do I Have a Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one has been injured by a Rainbow vacuum, you may have legal options. Contact Schmidt & Clark for a free case review.
Important Legal Actions or Recalls
| Event | Month/Year | Type | Status | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow SRX vacuum recall announced | June 2020 | Consumer product recall | Repair remedy announced | Recall involved about 38,000 units in the United States and 4,800 in Canada | CPSC |
| Fire and burn hazard identified | June 2020 | Safety hazard | Reported | The circuit board on the vacuum can spark, posing fire and burn hazards | CPSC |
| Fire incidents disclosed | June 2020 | Consumer incident reports | Reported | CPSC reported two incidents of SRX vacuums catching fire, with no injuries reported | CPSC |
| Free repair remedy offered | June 2020 | Recall remedy | Available through authorized distributor | Consumers were instructed to unplug affected vacuums and contact an authorized Rainbow distributor for a free repair | CPSC |
Potential Compensation
Potential compensation in a Rainbow vacuum recall claim may include emergency medical care, burn treatment, smoke-exposure evaluation, prescriptions, follow-up visits, and other medical expenses. A claim may also include reimbursement for damaged flooring, furniture, cleaning costs, repairs, or other property losses.
In more serious cases, damages may include pain and suffering, scarring, emotional distress, lost wages, temporary relocation costs, insurance deductibles, or reduced property value. The value of a claim depends on the severity of injuries, property damage, product evidence, repair history, and applicable law.
Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Legal Process Overview
Free case review: The process begins with a confidential review of the vacuum model, serial number, purchase records, recall notice history, incident facts, and damages. The legal team may ask for photos, distributor records, repair communications, and medical or property-damage records.
Evidence preservation: The vacuum should be preserved if it was involved in a fire or burn incident. Photos should show the full unit, model label, serial number, damaged areas, cord, circuit-related damage, and surrounding property damage.
Investigation: Attorneys may evaluate whether the vacuum falls within the recalled serial-number range, whether the hazard matches the reported defect, and whether the incident caused injury or property loss. Product inspection, fire reports, insurance records, and repair history may also be reviewed.
Filing: If the evidence supports a claim, a lawsuit may allege product defect, negligence, failure to warn, breach of warranty, or other claims depending on state law. Filing deadlines vary, so consumers should seek review promptly after discovering an injury or property loss.
Resolution: A case may resolve through settlement, dismissal, court ruling, or trial. The timeline depends on injury severity, product evidence, fire-cause analysis, available defendants, and how the responsible parties respond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuits
What is the Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit Evaluation about?
The Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit Evaluation concerns potential claims by consumers who experienced burns, fire damage, smoke exposure, or other losses involving recalled Rainbow SRX vacuums. The recall involves a circuit board that can spark and create fire and burn hazards.
Which Rainbow vacuums were recalled?
The recall covers Rainbow SRX water-based filtration vacuum cleaners with model number RHCS19 Type 120 and serial numbers 22003399 through 22077889. The vacuum is mostly black with blue trim, rubber trim around the base, SRX logos on the front panels, and a clear water basin.
Why were Rainbow SRX vacuums recalled?
Rainbow SRX vacuums were recalled because the circuit board can spark, posing fire and burn hazards. CPSC reported two incidents of affected vacuums catching fire.
Who may qualify for a Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit?
A person may qualify for a Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit review if a recalled SRX vacuum caused burn injuries, smoke exposure, fire damage, or related losses. Product proof, photos, repair history, medical records, and property-damage documentation can help support the evaluation.
Were injuries reported in the Rainbow SRX recall?
No injuries were reported in the CPSC recall notice. However, consumers who suffered injuries or property damage involving an affected vacuum may still request a case-specific legal review.
What should I do if I still have a recalled Rainbow SRX vacuum?
CPSC instructed consumers to immediately unplug and stop using affected SRX vacuums. Consumers should contact an authorized Rainbow distributor for a free repair.
What evidence should I save for a Rainbow Vacuum Recall Lawsuit?
Save the vacuum, model label, serial number, sales receipt, distributor information, repair communications, photos of damage, medical records, insurance documents, and fire department reports if available. Do not discard the vacuum if it may be needed as evidence.
Can I bring a claim for property damage only?
A property-damage-only claim may be possible if the recalled vacuum caused fire, smoke, or other documented loss. The strength of the claim depends on the amount of damage, product identification, fire-cause evidence, and available records.
References
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Rexair-Recalls-to-Repair-Rainbow-SRX-Vacuums-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards
- https://www.ameriburn.org/patients/common-types-of-burns/electrical-burns
- https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/electrical-safety-in-the-home