Lawsuit Investigation: Sharp, Bosch Microwave Drawer Fires
May 11, 2018 Last Updated on January 30, 2019
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who owns a Sharp or Bosch microwave drawer oven that caught fire or had other electrical problems.
- What’s Going On?
- It’s believed that Sharp microwave ovens are defective, can overheat and catch fire. Sharp may have also manufactured the ovens under other brand names, including Bosch. Now, attorneys are looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be started.
- How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
- A lawsuit could help people get their money back for the microwaves, as well as the cost of repairs. It could also require the manufacturer to recall the appliance or otherwise notify consumers of the reported issue.
- What Problems Have People Reported?
- Smoking; a burning “electrical” smell; loud noises, such as “clicking,” “buzzing” and “popping”; and fires.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking into allegations that certain Sharp and Bosch drawer microwaves pose a fire risk.
Dozens of consumers have reported that the microwaves can smoke, give off an “electrical burning” smell, and even catch fire.
In light of these complaints, attorneys are looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of people who own the microwave.
If your Sharp or Bosch microwave drawer caught fire or had electrical issues, fill out the form on this page and share your story. Any information you provide may help the attorneys determine whether a class action lawsuit can be started.
What Could Be Causing a Fire Risk in the Microwaves?
It is believed that the issue stems from a potential defect in the microwave’s wave guide. Initially, the investigation led attorneys to believe that the devices' "magnetrons" were defective - since the wave guides can cause electricity to arc back and melt the magnetron.
This may be the source of consumer complaints that their microwaves are smoking and giving off an electrical burning smell.
What Problems Are People Reporting?
People have reported the following issues with their Sharp microwave drawer ovens:
- Loud, screeching “metallic” noises
- Puffs of smoke/smoking
- “Electrical fire” smell
- Electrical “buzzing”
- “Clicking” and “popping”
- Fire
It's believed that Sharp also manufactured the microwave drawers under other brand names, such as Bosch, meaning that those microwaves may also experience similar issues. The following are some complaints from consumers who wrote about their microwave problems online (sic throughout):
Cooking two small potatoes in a glass bowl. No metal. The potatoes caught fire and were red hot coals when I opened the drawer. The inside walls were completely blackened, the fire broke the bowl and black smoke spewed throughout the house. This happened with only 3 minutes on the cook time. I cleaned it all up and ran a few more meals through it before it gave me the buzzing electrical noise, a 'pop' and then died. Being out of warranty for less than a year, we called Sharp and got nothing but "try a local repairman'…Now what do I do? A $1000 machine should last more than 2 years and certainly without fire danger.”
— skind49, Houzz.com
Our 3 month old Sharp KB-6524PS started smoking today and emitted a clearly electrical overload odor. It was not the food being heated, it was definitely the unit. After reading many reviews, I believe we will have to return it and try another brand. Don't want to take a chance with a full-blown fire. Sad and frustrated as we have just remodeled the kitchen and I loved the drawer style and location, tucked away in the island.”
— J Claire Wheat, Houzz.com
This Microwave is just 6 months installed and it melted down like Chernobyl.....sounded more like a garbage disposal then a microwave. Smoke started pouring out of the unit and got so hot I can't believe it didn't start a fire...Very concerned based on what others have noted that replacing this unit under warranty still results in same issues and this problem has not been addressed by Sharp. I have to image it won't be long before someone decides to start a Class Action lawsuit, or there is a major recall.”
— X3M1ST, AMAZON.COM
Consumers have reported spending between $200 to $850 to fix the microwaves after being told that their appliances were no longer under warranty. Many have said that they needed to have the magnetron replaced – the part attorneys suspect is the source of the fire risk.
How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
A class action lawsuit could help people back money they spent purchasing and fixing their microwaves. Furthermore, it could require Sharp to alert consumers to the reported issue and offer a fix for the problem.
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