U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Whirlpool Corporation Announce Recall of Frost-Free Freezers and Sidekick Refrigerators

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 20, 2005) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. The voluntary recall is being conducted in order to perform a repair to eliminate the potential for electrical shock. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of product: Whirlpool brand single-door frost-free freezers (20 cubic feet or less) and refrigerators (17 cubic feet).

Units: Approximately 67,000.

Distributor:  Whirlpool Corporation, of Benton Harbor, Mich.

Manufacturer: WC Woods Company Inc. of Ottawa, Ohio

Hazard: In some units the end cap of the defrost heater tube can dislodge, resulting in a potential shock hazard and may melt, deform and/or burn the interior food liner.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported, however this recall is being conducted to ensure your safety.

Description: The recalled products are Whirlpool brand frost-free freezers (20 cubic feet or less) and refrigerators (17 cubic feet) manufactured between September 2002 and February 2004. The freezers and refrigerators come in black, white or stainless steel. They have the following model numbers located on the left-hand side of the appliance:

Sold at: The majority of these units were sold at retail outlets nationwide between September 2002 and December 2004 for $399-1099.

Remedy: The defrost heater will be repaired. A repair kit, which includes clips, will be installed to eliminate the potential for electrical shock.

Consumer Contact: Call Whirlpool Corporation toll-free at 1-866-493-3314 anytime.
 

 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.