GE Coffee Maker Recall Issued By Walmart Due to Fire Risk

Reports of fires and burns have led to the recall of nearly 1 million General Electric coffee makers, which were sold exclusively through Wal-Mart. 

The GE coffee maker recall was announced on May 20 by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) after Walmart received 83 reports of the coffee makers overheating. According to the reports, the devices smoked, melted and in some cases caught fire. There have been at least three burn injury reports and several property damage reports, including at least one that involved a “significant” kitchen fire.

The CPSC has determined that the Walmart coffee makers are prone to overheat, posing a fire and burn risk for consumers. Although there have been no serious injuries or deaths associated with the defective coffee makers, consumers have been advised to immediately stop using the GE coffee makers to return them to a Wal-Mart store for a full refund.

About 900,000 General Electric-brand 12-cup coffee makers are included in the recall. The coffee makers were sold in black (model number 169164) and white (169165), and have the GE logo printed on the base and the model numbers printed on the bottom of the base. The coffee makers have programmable functions and a plastic housing.

The recalled coffee makers were sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from March 2008 through January 2010, and sold for about $30.