Washington
– Maytag, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC), has voluntarily recalled 46,000 refrigerators due to a fire hazard.
The refrigerators have an electrical failure in the relay – the
component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor – that can cause
overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.
According to the CPSC, Maytag has received 23 reports of
refrigerator relay ignition, including four reports of property damage ranging
from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.
The recall includes certain Maytag, Magic Chef, Performa by
Maytag and Crosley brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators sold at
retail from September 2000 through May 2004 for between about $350 and $1,600.
The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque,
white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a
label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner. A
list of the model and serial numbers are in the chart below.
Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in
this recall.
Consumers are advised to immediately contact Maytag to determine
if their refrigerator is included in the recall and, if so, to schedule a free
in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer
where it was purchased. Consumers should contact Maytag toll-free at (866)
533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com,
according to the CPSC.
