Massive Dehumidifier Recall Reannounced After Continuing Reports of Fires

A dehumidifier recall that has already affected more than two million units is being reannounced, as reports of fires connected with the defective dehumidifiers continue to mount, resulting in millions of dollars in property damage nationwide.  

The dehumidifier recall expansion was originally announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in January, and reannounced on May 15. The recall affects units sold under labels including Gree, Kenmore, Frigidaire, Seabreeze and others.

The faulty dehumidifiers were originally recalled in September 2013 and the recall was expanded in January 2014.

The CPSC indicates that reports of the units overheating increased by 400% since the original recall, mounting from 119 in September 2013 to 471 reports currently. Reports of fires increased more than 20%, from 46 to 121 reports. Property damage originally recorded at $2.15 million in September is now estimated at nearly $4.5 million. To date no injuries have been reported.

The recall includes 20,25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 65, and 70-pint dehumidifiers sold under the brand names Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir and SuperClima. The units are white, beige, gray, or black plastic and measure between 19 and 24 inches tall by 13 and 15 inches wide by 9 to 11 inches deep. The brand name and pint capacity are printed on the front of the dehumidifiers and the model numbers and date codes are printed on the back, front, or side of the units. For a full list of recalled brand names, model numbers, and date codes please visit the CPSC recall page.

The recalled dehumidifiers were manufactured in China under Gree Electric Appliances where they were imported by various distributing companies and sold at AAFES, HH Gregg, Home Depot, Kmart, Lowe’s, Menards, Mills Fleet Farm, Sam’s Club, Sears, Walmart and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Ebay.com in the United States and Canada from January 2005 through August 2013 for between $110 and $400.

Customers with affected units should unplug the dehumidifiers immediately and contact Gree at 866-853-2802 or visit them online at www.greeusa.com for information on how to receive a free refund. Customers are encouraged by the CPSC to report any and all adverse events including the products overheating, catching fire and property damage to the manufacturer.