Safety regulator, W.C. Wood Company Inc. Announce Recall of Upright Freezers and Single Door Refrigerators
Recall 05279 · Sep 27, 2005 · W.C. Wood Company Inc.
112,000
units affected
112,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 05279
- Date
- Sep 27, 2005
- Company
- W.C. Wood Company Inc.
- Units affected
- 112,000
- Product
- Automatic Defrost Upright Freezers and All-Refrigerators
- Product type
- Freezers
- Hazard
- Fire
The product
The recalled single-door freezers and refrigerators are 15-, 17- and 20-cubic-foot Automatic Defrost Upright Freezers and 17-cubic-foot Automatic Defrost All-Refrigerators that can be converted into freezers. They were sold under the brand names Amana, Crosley, Danby, Maytag, Whirlpool and Wood's, which is written on the front of the unit. The manufacturer label with the model number and date of manufacture is located on the inside of the cabinet. A list of model numbers and dates of manufacture included in the recall follows: Brand Model Numbers Date of Manufacture Amana AFU1567*, AFU1767*, AFU2067* 200209(September 2002)through200402(February 2004) Crosley FFCR17*, WCF15*, WCF17*, WCF20* Danby DUF1700*, DFF1708* Maytag MQU1556*, MQU2057* Whirlpool EV150NXM*, EV170NYL*, EV171NYM*, EV200NXK*, EV201NXM*, EL7ATRRK*, EL7ATRRM*, EL7JWKLM*, EL7JWKRM* Wood's F15*, F17*, F20*, F42*, F47*, F55*, WFF15*, WFF17*, WFF20*,RFA17*, RFC17*, R47F* *there are additional letters or numbers following the model numbers above
What can happen
The defrost heater coil can become exposed inside the units, which poses a potential shock hazard to consumers. In some cases, the exposed heater wire can also melt, or burn the unit's interior plastic food liner.
The fix
Consumers should contact Whirlpool 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. Unplug and discontinue use of unrepaired units.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- W.C. Woods has received 45 reports of incidents of the defrost heater coil becoming exposed. Nine of those incidents resulted in an electrical short. The others melted and burned the unit's interior plastic liner. No injuries have been reported.
- Sold at
- Home improvement and appliance stores, from September 2002 through February 2005, for between $400 and $1,000.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled automatic defrost upright freezers and all-refrigerators?
Consumers should contact Whirlpool 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. Unplug and discontinue use of unrepaired units.
What is the hazard?
The defrost heater coil can become exposed inside the units, which poses a potential shock hazard to consumers. In some cases, the exposed heater wire can also melt, or burn the unit's interior plastic food liner.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.