CPSC recall 18-040, announced November 21, 2017, covers IKEA Children's and adult chests and dressers (about 17.3 million units). The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children. The notice cites 186 incident reports and 91 injuries. Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access. Recall contact: call 866-856-4532, or go to www.IKEA-USA.com.
Advertisements
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?
Read the full CPSC product description and restrictions
This recall reannouncement involves MALM and other IKEA chests and dressers that do not comply with the requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2057-14). The recalled children's and adult chests and dressers include the MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6-drawer models and other non-MALM models. The recalled children's chests and dressers are taller than 23.5 inches; recalled adult chests and dressers are taller than 29.5 inches. 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, grey, grey-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. RECALLED MALM CHESTS AND DRESSERS Names Sold Dates Measurements MALM 3 10/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 4 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 39½" MALM 5 10/2002 to 4/2006 157/8" x 19" x 481/4" MALM 6 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 483/8" MALM 6 LONG 11/2002 to 6/2016 63" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 6 4/2006 to 6/2016 153/4" x 191/8" x 483/8" OTHER CHESTS AND DRESSERS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL To see a complete list of other non-MALM chests and dressers included in this recall, click on this link www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html on IKEA's website. Since 1996, IKEA chests and dressers have been labeled to identify IKEA, the model name and the manufacturing date.
What 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)- When sold
- 1985 through June 2016
- Where sold
- IKEA, among the sellers the notice names
- Price paid
- $70 to $200
Why it was recalled
The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children.
Incidents and injuries
IKEA has received 186 reports of tip-over incidents involving the MALM chests and dressers, including 91 reports of injuries to children. In addition, IKEA has received 113 reports of tip-overs with other recalled IKEA chests and dressers, including 53 reports of injuries to children: There have been eight reports of child tip-over related deaths with the recalled chests and dressers. The most recent reported death in May 2017 involved a 2-year-old boy in Buena Park, Calif. after he became trapped beneath an unanchored MALM 3-drawer chest that tipped over. Previously reported deaths with MALM dressers or chests include: February 2016: A 22-month-old boy from Apple Valley, Minn. died after an unanchored MALM 6-drawer chest fell on top of him. June 2014: A 23-month-old boy from Snohomish, Wash. died after he became trapped beneath an unanchored MALM 3-drawer chest that tipped over. February 2014: A 2-year-old boy from West Chester, Pa. died after an unanchored MALM 6-drawer chest tipped over fatally pinning him against his bed. September 2011: A 2-year-old boy from Woodbridge, Va. died after an unanchored MALM 3-drawer chest tipped over and trapped him between the dresser drawers. Previously reported deaths with other model IKEA chests and dressers include: July 1989: A 20-month-old girl from Mt. Vernon, Va. died after an unanchored GUTE 4-drawer chest tipped over and pinned her against the footboard of a youth bed. March 2002: A 2½-year-old boy from Cranford, N.J. died after an unanchored RAKKE 5-drawer chest tipped over and fatally pinned him to the floor. October 2007, a 3-year-old girl from Chula Vista, Calif. died after a KURS 3-drawer chest tipped over and fatally pinned her to the floor. It is unknown whether the dresser was anchored or not.
Official remedy
Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access. Contact IKEA for a choice between two options: refund or a free wall-anchoring kit. IKEA will pick up the recalled dressers free of charge or provide a one-time, free in-home wall-anchoring service for consumers upon request. Consumers can obtain assistance from IKEA through its website at www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html. Consumers with chests and dressers manufactured prior to January 2002 are eligible for a partial store credit.
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.
- Get the remedy. This recall offers a refund or a repair. The notice says the remedy is free.
- Read the official notice. The CPSC notice is the final word on which units are included and what to do.
Advertisements
Product and sales details
- Brand
- IKEA
- Product type
- Dressers
- Recall number
- 18-040
- Units
- About 17.3 million (Based on updated information from IKEA, the number of U.S. units has been revised downward from June 2016.)
- Manufactured in
- Various countries
- Sold at / sales period
- IKEA stores nationwide and online at www.IKEA.com from January 2002 through June 2016 for between $70 and $200. Other chests and dressers subject to this recall were sold between approximately 1985 and June 2016.
- Importer
- IKEA Supply AG, of Switzerland (May 2009 - present) and predecessors to IKEA Supply AG (1985 - May 2009)
This recall in context
Compared with the 93 dresser recalls in this index, as of October 31, 2026.
- 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 is named in 41 CPSC notices in this index, from 1995 to 2024. This recall is the 33rd. The one before: IKEA Safety gates and safety gate extensions (16-226, Jul 2016). 2 of them are dresser recalls.
- Time on sale
- 1985 through June 2016. Recalled 17 months after the last month of sales the notice gives.
Recall contact information
IKEA toll-free at 866-856-4532 anytime, or online at www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html for more information and to participate in the recall.
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.
Advertisements
