The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·09145·Announced 2009-03-10

Maytag Recalls Refrigerators Due to Electrical Fire Hazard

Maytag is recalling approximately 1.6 million refrigerators because an electrical failure in the relay can cause overheating and fire. Consumers should contact Maytag for a free in-home repair.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with 16 reported instances of property damage, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' under the Severe (4) classification.

Plain-English summary

Maytag Corp. is recalling certain Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley brand side-by-side and top-freezer refrigerators. The recall involves approximately 1.6 million units manufactured in black, bisque, white, and stainless steel. These refrigerators were sold at department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between about $350 and $1,600. Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

The recall is due to an electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator's compressor. This failure can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard. Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased. For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 or visit www.repair.maytag.com.

The recalled product

Product
Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators
Manufacturer
Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa
Category
Consumer Product — Refrigerators
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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