Electrolux, Whirlpool Dishwasher Fire Hazard
December 11, 2013 Last Updated on September 25, 2019
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who owns an Electrolux, Frigidaire, Kenmore or Whirlpool dishwasher that caught fire, leaked or suffered other problems.
- What's Going On?
- It has been alleged that the control panels in certain dishwashers are defective and can cause the appliances to overheat and burn holes in the bottom of the machines. This may cause the dishwashers to leak water or catch fire.
- Which Brands Are Under Investigation?
- Whirlpool, Electrolux, Kenmore and Frigidaire, among others.
- Type of Lawsuit:
- Class action
Case Update
September 25, 2019
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have closed their investigation into these dishwashers. For an active list of investigations, please visit this page. The information below is for reference only.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak with anyone who experienced problems with their Electrolux or Whirlpool dishwashers.
It has been alleged that the control panels in certain Electrolux and Whirlpool dishwashers, including some Kenmore and Frigidaire models, are defective and can cause the machines to overheat. The heating elements, as a result, may burn holes in the bottom of the machines, causing water to leak from the dishwashers and/or posing a fire hazard.
Some consumers also reported the following problems with their dishwashers:
- Sight and smell of smoke
- Smell of burning plastic and wires
- Hissing, popping and pinging noises coming from the machine
- Spraying water, floods and failure for water to drain from the machine
- Glowing flames that could be seen through the front of the machine
What’s the Problem with the Dishwashers?
It has been alleged that the control panels in certain Electrolux and Whirlpool dishwashers, as well as certain Kenmore and Frigidaire models manufactured by Whirlpool, are defective. It is believed that the control panels can fail to turn off the heating elements in the machines, which may continue to produce heat even when a washing cycle is complete. As a result, the heating element may melt or burn the plastic floor of the appliance, causing water to leak from the dishwasher and, if not detected, liquefying the plastic and igniting a fire.
Electrolux Sued Over Kenmore, Frigidaire Dishwashers
In 2012, consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Electrolux alleging that some of the company’s dishwashers, including certain Kenmore and Frigidaire models, are defective.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that the heating elements in their Electrolux dishwashers burned holes in the polymer tub flooring of their dishwashers. At least one Frigidaire by Electrolux dishwasher with the model number FDB520RHS2A and serial number TH10694255 was mentioned in the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, Electrolux knew that its machines posed a risk to consumers and their properties, but failed to take appropriate action to fix these defects or recall the affected machines. Furthermore, the plaintiffs claim that Electrolux failed to honor its “Use and Care Guidelines” warranty, which said that the company would pay for all costs and repairs need to fix defective materials or workmanship in its dishwashers.
As a result, the plaintiffs claim they were responsible for paying for extensive property damage after their dishwashers flooded their properties or caught fire.
Whirlpool Lawsuit
In November 2011, consumers filed a separate class action against Whirlpool. According to the lawsuit, the control boards in certain Whirlpool dishwashers can also spontaneously overheat due to a design defect.
The plaintiffs claim that the following Kenmore and KitchenAid by Whirlpool dishwashers are defective:
Kenmore Elite Dishwasher, Model Number 665.17584200, Serial Number FM2401353
Kenmore Elite Dishwasher, Model Number 665.16279400, Serial Number FR4201316
KitchenAid Dishwasher, Model Number KUDSO1FLSS, Serial Number FR3312380
KitchenAid Dishwasher, Model Number KUDSO1FLSS, Serial Number FR5219875
KitchenAid Dishwasher, Model Number KUDPO2CRBS2, Serial Number FT4107404
KitchenAid Dishwasher, Model Number KUDPO1LWH2, Serial Number FP2502015
KitchenAid Dishwasher, Model Number KUDP01, Serial Number illegible due to fire damage
KitchenAid Superba Dishwasher, Model Number KUDS01DJSS0, Serial Number FL0618828
This is not a complete list of dishwasher models that may be affected by the defect.
The plaintiffs allege that Whirlpool knew or should have known about these problems because, as early as 2008, consumers began contacting the company after their dishwashers caught fire. The lawsuit claims, however, that Whirlpool failed to issue any warnings or recalls for these machines. In many cases, Whirlpool dishwashers that caught fire did not cause the property’s circuit breaker to trip and property owners had to manually switch off the correct circuits to stop the fires.
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