ApplianceJournal.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. –

In a showing of compliance with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s findings on a potential fire hazard posed by some of its products, the Maytag Corporation of Newton, Iowa, a subsidiary of the Whirlpool Corporation, voluntarily opted to recall approximately 1.6 million refrigerators earlier today, as per the recall notice released by the CPSC and the Maytag Corp.. Having already “sparked” 41 reported refrigerator ignition instances in homes where the recalled refrigerators were in use, at least 16 of which resulted in actual property damage varying in scale from minor smoke spoilage to acute kitchen damage, the identified cause is reported as being due to an “electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor” that, by potentially instigating overheating, should be regarded as dangerous and unsafe.

Owners of the recalled refrigerators are strongly advised to immediately unplug their appliance and abstain from use until the hazardous components are exchanged for reliable ones . Maytag has issued a statement instructing consumers not to return their recalled products to the store in which they were purchased, and is distributing a repair kit gratis to all implicated consumers in addition to offering free in-home repair services to restore their refrigerators’ safety and usability. Besides refrigerators bearing the Maytag brand label, the recall also includes certain Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley side by side and top freezer units sold nationwide within the time frame starting in January, 2001 and ending in January, 2004, manufactured in black, bisque, white, and stainless steel colors between the price range of approximately $350 and $1600. Consumers may determine if their product falls under the recall’s province by locating its model and serial numbers printed on a label located on either the upper middle or left side of the refrigerator liner and then consulting Maytag’s notice at https://repair.maytag.com/prjjck/refrigerator.jsp, or by contacting Maytag directly at (toll-free) 866-533-9817 with their inquiry.

Details

Recalled Products Brand Names: Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic-Chef, Performa by Maytag, Crosley

Product Specifics: Side by side and top freezer refrigerator units sold between January, 2001 and January, 2004, in the colors black, bisque, white, and in stainless steel, between the price points of approximately $350 and $1600.

Units: Around 1.6 million.

Manufacturer Information: Maytag Corp., a subsidiary of Whirlpool, of Newton, Iowa. Toll-free phone number:  866-533-9817. Web site: http://www.repair.maytag.com.

Hazard: Electrical failure in the relay, the element that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, may cause overheating and poses a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: 41 reported refrigerator ignition events, 16 reported cases of varying property damage.

Model and Serial Numbers Implicated:

Side by Side Refrigerators with serial numbers ENDING with: AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR, AT, AV, AX, CA, CC, CE, CG, CJ, CL, ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW, ZY, ZZ – AND- model numbers beginning with: ARS, CS, JC, JS, MS, MZ, PS.

Top Freezer Refrigerators with serial numbers ENDING with: AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR, AT, AV, AX, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW, ZY, ZZ – AND – model numbers beginning with: AT, CT, MT, PT.

Sold By: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule repair.

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