CPSC recall 16-204, announced June 28, 2016, covers IKEA North America Children's and adult chests and dressers (about 8 million units). The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing a serious tip-over and entrapment hazard that can result in death or injuries to children. The notice cites 41 incident reports, 17 injuries and 3 deaths. Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest and dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it into an area that children cannot access. Recall contact: call 866-856-4532, or go to www.IKEA-USA.com/recallchestsanddressers.
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Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.
The CPSC data does not provide a discrete model-number list for this record. Compare the product description and identification details on the official notice.
Which products are included?
The recalled children's chests and dressers are taller than 23.5 inches and adult chests and dressers are taller than 29.5 inches. The 29 million units of recalled chests and dressers include: MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6-drawer models and other children's and adult chests and dressers. The MALM chests and dressers are constructed of particleboard or fiberboard and are white, birch (veneer), medium brown, black-brown, white stained oak (veneer), oak (veneer), pink, turquoise, gray, gray-turquoise, lilac, green, brown stained ash (veneer), and black. A 5-digit supplier number, 4-digit date stamp, IKEA logo, country of origin and "MALM" are printed on the underside of the top panel or inside the side panel. Since 1996, IKEA chests and dressers have been labeled to identify IKEA, the model name and the manufacturing date.
Confirm these details on the official CPSC noticeWhat to look for
- Also in the notice
- Date codes. Compare these as well.
- Where to look
the underside of the top panel
(the notice’s words)
Why it was recalled
The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing a serious tip-over and entrapment hazard that can result in death or injuries to children.
Incidents and injuries
In February 2014, a 2-year-old boy from West Chester, Pa. died after a 6-drawer MALM chest tipped over and fatally pinned him against his bed. In June 2014, a 23-month-old boy from Snohomish, Wash. died after he became trapped beneath a 3-drawer MALM chest that tipped over. In a February 2016 incident, a 22-month-old boy from Apple Valley, Minn. died when a MALM 6-drawer chest fell on top of him. None of the chests or dressers in the above-listed incidents had been anchored to the wall. In addition to the three deaths, IKEA received reports of 41 tip-over incidents involving the MALM chests and dressers, resulting in 17 injuries to children between the ages of 19 months and 10 years old.
Official remedy
Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest and dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it into an area that children cannot access. Contact IKEA for a choice between two options: refund or a free wall-anchoring repair kit. Consumers are entitled to a full refund for chests and dressers manufactured between January 2002 and June 2016. Consumers with chests and dressers manufactured prior to January 2002 will be eligible for a partial store credit. Consumers can order a free wall-anchoring repair kit. Consumers can install the kit themselves or IKEA will provide a one-time, free in-home installation service, upon request. Consumers can reorder the kits throughout the life of their chest and dresser.
What to do now
- Check the product. This notice lists no model numbers. Compare yours with the description and photos in the official notice.
- Stop using it. The notice says to stop using recalled units immediately.
- Contact the firm. Call 866-856-4532, or go to www.IKEA-USA.com/recallchestsanddressers.
- Get the remedy. This recall offers a refund or a repair.
- Read the official notice. The CPSC notice is the final word on which units are included and what to do.
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Product and sales details
- Brand
- IKEA North America
- Manufacturer
- IKEA North America, of Conshohocken, Pa.
- Product type
- Dressers
- Recall number
- 16-204
- Units
- About 8 million MALM chests and dressers and 21 million additional children's and adult chests and dressers in the U.S. (In addition, 6.6 million were sold in Canada)
Children's and adult chests and dressers
CPSC product type: Dressers, Desks, Chests and Buffets
This recall in context
Compared with the 93 dresser recalls in this index, as of October 31, 2026.
- Size
- 8 million units: the largest of 89 dresser recalls that state a unit count. The median is 3,000 units.
- Hazard
- Entrapment: named in 88 of 93 dresser recalls, the most common hazard among them.
- Remedy
- Refund: offered in 73 of 93 dresser recalls, the most common remedy. Repair: offered in 26 of 93 dresser recalls.
- Brand history
- IKEA North America is named in 3 CPSC notices in this index, from 2013 to 2016. This recall is the most recent. The one before: IKEA North America Children's wall-mounted lamps (14-161, Apr 2014).
Recall contact information
IKEA toll-free at 866-856-4532 anytime or online at www.IKEA-USA.com/recallchestsanddressers or www.IKEA-USA.com and click on Product Recall for more information on how to receive a refund or free wall-anchoring repair kit.
Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.
Know someone who has one?
Recalls only work when owners hear about them. Send this notice to family or friends who might own the same product.
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