The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·02096·Announced 2002-01-31

Whirlpool Recalls 1.4 Million Dehumidifiers Due to Fire Hazard

Whirlpool is recalling approximately 1.4 million dehumidifiers sold between 1997 and 2001 because they can overheat and cause fires.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with 13 reported fires and three instances of extensive property damage, meeting the rubric criteria for 'Severe' (significant property-damage reports).

Plain-English summary

Whirlpool Corp. is recalling approximately 1.4 million dehumidifiers sold under the Whirlpool, Kenmore, and ComfortAire brand names. The recalled units are white plastic, approximately 2 feet high, and feature a front-mounted water bucket. They have serial numbers beginning with QG, QH, QJ, QK, or QL, located on a label on the wall behind the water bucket. Dehumidifiers with water buckets located in the back are not involved in the recall.

The dehumidifiers can overheat, posing a fire hazard. Whirlpool has received 13 reports of the units overheating and causing fires, three of which resulted in extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The dehumidifiers were sold at department and appliance stores nationwide from February 1997 through December 2001 for between $130 and $260. Consumers should stop using these dehumidifiers and unplug them immediately. They should contact Whirlpool at (866) 640-7139 or visit www.repair.whirlpool.com to arrange for a free repair.

The recalled product

Product
Dehumidifiers
Manufacturer
Whirlpool Corp., of Benton Harbor, Mich.
Category
Consumer Product — Home Appliances
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same manufacturer · Whirlpool Corp., of Benton Harbor, Mich.

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Same hazard · fire

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