Lawsuit Investigation: Stove, Range Knobs Turn Too Easily, Pose Fire Hazard

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org want to hear from people who’ve had problems with their Whirlpool or LG stove or range turning on accidentally because the knobs are too easy to turn.

Owners of certain stoves and ranges have reported that their cooktops turned on without them noticing because a person or pet brushed against the knobs—and in some cases, this caused a fire. Attorneys are looking into whether the knobs are defective and, if so, whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against the manufacturer. While their investigation initially involved Samsung stoves only, they have now decided to look into LG and Whirlpool ranges as well.

What Problems Have Been Reported?

Some stove and range owners have reported that their cooktops, or just the gas, can get turned on accidentally when a person or even a pet brushes up against the knobs on the front of the appliance. This can be a fire hazard, as the leaking gas or any items left on or near the stove could ignite. 

A number of consumers have reported that their stove or range was accidentally turned on more than once, and some have said that their food, grocery bags, cookware or other items caught fire before they noticed that the appliance was on.

Complaints of Fire Hazard Posted Online, Sent to CPSC

Whirlpool Stoves

The following is a sampling of complaints posted online or sent to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding Whirlpool stoves and ranges [sic throughout]:

Whirlpool Gas Stove will allow gas to escape with the burner not lit. If the control knob is bumped and moves to the side, in the on position, the gas will escape with the burner not being lit. This has happened multiple times and usually is not caught until there is a strong odor of gas in the room. Reported it to Whirlpool…Whirlpool said they do not have stronger springs or controls that would correct this. This has happened multiple times and others I know who have Whirlpool Gas Stoves have had the same thing occur.”
— SaferProducts.gov

Whirlpool range. Can lean on stove and knob will turn to allow gas on Came home to a gas filled house because I had reached into cabinet above range before leaving for work. Seems this is a poor design. Now have put poker chips behind knobs so have to remove to push in and turn to use stove...Just poor design. Front handle does not protect from pushing in knobs and turning on gas if someone leans against stove. Had caught this happening several times while hanging in kitchen and smelled gas prior to worse incident of coming home to smelling gas in attached garage after on all morning.”
— SaferProducts.gov

I have a 30" freestanding whirlpool gas stove model wfg371lvs. I knobs turn easily when brushed against or cleaned letting the gas escaper. The burner doesn't light just gas escaping. I've had this [stove] 30 days and it's [happened] at least 5 times.”
— JustAnswer.com

The knobs on our gas range turn far too easily. A simple and unnoticeable brush against the knob can cause it to turn just enough to leak gas without it clicking or lighting. I have never had a gas stove do something like this. The model is a Whirlpool gas range GS563LXSS. Today we came home to a house full of gas fumes because my 11-year-old accidentally touched the front of the stove while trying to get a drink glass.”
— SaferProducts.gov

LG Stoves

The following is a sampling of complaints from owners of LG stoves and ranges [sic throughout]:

It smelled like gas really strongly and I thought it was just outside and maybe there was a leak somewhere, but I got closer to the door and I opened the door and I realized it was definitely in the house…They said that the back burner [of the stove] had just been leaking gas and I hadn't used the stove honestly in days. One of us must have just bumped it lightly. If I would have been gone longer, I mean I just happened to be gone for two hours, if I had been gone longer, I don't know what could have happened."
— Ali W., Boston25News.com

The knobs that turn on the gas stove burners turn on when slightly bumped by anyone that brushes up close to the stove. Even with the knowledge that they turn on easily, I have bumped them on at least 40 times, and have burned towels twice. LG sent knob replacements, which made no difference. The knobs are at an angle in the front of the stove. They have no resistance to prevent them from turning on by mistake. This stove is a terrible fire hazard.”
— SaferProducts.gov

I had an LG stove and everytime I brushed against it, the knobs easily turned a flame on. Has this been corrected…?”
— SherryWB, BestBuy.com

Please look into recalling LG model LRG3095SB Gas range. The burner valve is too sensitive, when brushed up against turns slightly and opens up the gas valve and leaks gas. I have multiple times reached up to my over the stove microwave and brushed up against the valve and turned on the gas. It is turned so slightly that you don't even notice that it is even on. On Sunday night 11/11/2012 my house filled up with gas and upon waking up I smelt gas and noticed that the stove was on. I opened all the windows and called LG the next day. LG stated unless there is a recall on this gas range it is no longer their responsibility, even if this malfunction cause carbon monoxide related death.”
— SaferProducts.gov

Samsung Stoves

Below is a sampling of complaints submitted to the CPSC in which people reported that their Samsung stove and range knobs turned on too easily [sic throughout]:

DANGEROUS - fire risk We purchased this stove in January. The burner and oven controls are way too sensitive and they will turn on at the slightest touch or bump with no indication they are on. We have burned hands/fingers numerous times. On January 24th 2022 a knob was accidentally turned on and a small fire started because a bag was knocked onto the stove by a pet. This particular flaw has been reported multiple times with the same outcomes (fire) on other Samsung range models as well. This is a serious and dangerous design flaw that should be rectified immediately, along with a product recall...”
— 01/24/22, SaferProducts.gov

My electric Samsung stove caught on fire. I placed a hot cookie sheet on the stove top and walked away. When I came back into the kitchen the knob must have been bumped. The burner was on and burning the cookie sheet. As I move the cookie sheet off the lite burner some of the butter spilled out and caught on fire. My daughter , 34 years old , was helping me and it burned her arm. Very mild but could have been bad!”
— 12/12/21, SaferProducts.gov

Within the first month of owning the Samsung Household Electric Range I've had multiple stovetop incidents where the burner turns on accidentally and burned things on top of the stove. The knobs to turn the burners on are too easily engaged and they are also placed in a location where they routinely get bumped. These issues are not even taking into consideration pets and children since all of the accidental burner incidents I had were done by adults.”
— 07/15/21, SaferProducts.gov

[I] bought an electric range for my house and it has a very unsafe and hazardous front cook tops temperature control knobs; if anyone touchs and/ or leans against the range while on the kitchen or by the sink the knob turns on itself, the person then leaves the room but does not realize the range had been turned on. Anything on the cooktop will cook will get hot or catch in fire. If the person leaves the house without double checking on the cook top knobs he/she can put fire on the house inadvertently. This happens every time it anyone leans or touches the stove and it happened since i bought it and since it was brand new…”
— 04/14/22, SaferProducts.gov

Samsung has not issued a recall for the knobs on its stoves and ranges, though the manufacturer has a page on its website titled “Range knobs accidentally turn on cooktop too easily.” 

Samsung states on its website that the only way for consumers to keep their stove knobs from turning is to buy knob covers or locks.

How Can a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

If a class action lawsuit is filed, consumers may be able to get money back for damage caused by the stoves or ranges, and for some of the purchase price. A lawsuit could also force the manufacturer to recall or fix the appliances. 

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