We owned a Ruud electric 50 gal, water heater. We bought it in 10/2016. We had a leak and called Ruud yesterday to make a claim. Within 15 minutes we had a claim # and was told to return the unit to seller [Home Depot]. We did and picked up a new Ruud electric water heater. We decided to buy an upgraded Ruud and have hot water once again. All good. Based on OUR experience we give Ruud customer service and warranty 5 *****..

Ruud’s company slogan was once, “There are some things in life you can always rely on. Ruud is one of them.” While that was a long time ago, Ruud water heaters are still synonymous with quality and one of the most respected brands in the industry.

I bought new high end 50 gal electric water heater. After cost of installing, the top element was not working. It seems company does not make sure all is working before selling. They were good to send a new heater element but took a week with no hot water and difficulty in installing with specialized tool that no suppliers sell because they used a non conventional screw size.

Installed a Ruud 50 gal electric water heater from Home Depot in March 2017. Came with galvanized input/output isolation nipples factory installed. Connected to my PEX plumbing with brass adapters, using teflon tape and paste. Within one year, started corroding and seeping at galvanized threads. Galvanizing on threads appeared to be extremely thin and did not last. Today (Feb 2019) paid plumber to come replace the nipples. Had to mail order special Ruud extra long nipples - non-standard size not stocked by any of several sizable plumbing supply distributors. They look to be exactly like ones that failed. Will these ones last? Lived in this house 43 years. This is my 3rd water heater. Never a corrosion problem with other isolation nipples. Why couldn't Ruud use good quality, standard length nipples that are locally available?! Disappointed!

We had a few issues within the first year of operation with our water heater, tripping our breaker and electrician thought he figured out the problem with the unit, despite it being properly installed anyway. Last night upon returning from dinner we walked into our home full of an electrical burning smell. Through elimination the results were that our water heater had blown out its wiring on the front electrical panel, as we could see black smoke all around it and coming from the unit. The breaker had fortunately already tripped from the over load, but we turned it off and cut off the water supply as a precaution. We immediately contacted one of our electricians that is used for our company. He arrived today (following day). I contacted Rheem and the moment they heard the model number, he said, "Take it back to Home Depot immediately and they will replace it for you". After further investigation I discovered a recent total recall was issued for more than 54,000 units sold exclusively at Home Depot from 2014 to 2016 all for the same problem. Almost 300 reports have been made and one involving more than $5500 in damage.