The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·05279·Announced 2005-09-27

W.C. Wood Recalls Upright Freezers and Refrigerators Due to Shock Hazard

W.C. Wood Company is recalling about 112,000 upright freezers and refrigerators because exposed defrost heater coils pose a shock hazard and can burn interior liners.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (electrical shock and fire/burn hazard) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

W.C. Wood Company Inc. is recalling approximately 112,000 Automatic Defrost Upright Freezers and All-Refrigerators. The affected units are 15-, 17-, and 20-cubic-foot freezers and 17-cubic-foot refrigerators that can be converted into freezers. These products were sold under the brand names Amana, Crosley, Danby, Maytag, Whirlpool, and Wood's from September 2002 through February 2005 at home improvement and appliance stores for between $400 and $1,000.

The recall is due to a defect where the defrost heater coil can become exposed inside the units. This exposure poses a potential electrical shock hazard to consumers. In some cases, the exposed heater wire has melted or burned the unit's interior plastic food liner. W.C. Wood has received 45 reports of the heater coil becoming exposed; nine of these incidents resulted in an electrical short, while the others involved melting or burning of the liner. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should contact Whirlpool Corp. toll-free at (866) 580-9177 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to arrange for a free in-home repair for Amana, Maytag, or Whirlpool freezers. There is no remedy available for unrepaired Crosley, Danby, and Wood's freezers; consumers should unplug and discontinue use of these unrepaired units.

The recalled product

Product
Automatic Defrost Upright Freezers and All-Refrigerators
Manufacturer
W.C. Wood Company Inc., of Ottawa, Ohio
Category
Consumer Product — Appliances
Hazard
Affected units
112,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · electric shock

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