Frigidaire Dehumidifier Lawsuit Alleges Recalled Model Overheated and Ignited House Fire

Officials have issued multiple recalls for certain dehumidifiers after determining that electrical failures could cause the units to overheat, posing a serious risk of house fires and extensive property damage.

A new product liability lawsuit claims that a recalled Frigidaire dehumidifier overheated and caused a house fire in New York, reviving concerns about older dehumidifier models that were pulled from the market years ago due to fire risks.

The complaint (PDF) was filed on January 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by Safeco National Insurance Company, acting as subrogee of homeowner Elizabeth Didylowski. In this role, Safeco seeks to recover insurance payments it made for the loss by pursuing claims against the parties alleged to be responsible for the damage.

Safeco’s lawsuit names Electrolux Home Products Inc. as the defendant, alleging that a Frigidaire-brand dehumidifier sold and distributed by the company was defectively designed and unreasonably dangerous, ultimately igniting a fire inside the insured residence.

A dehumidifier is a household appliance used to reduce excess moisture in indoor air, most often in basements, laundry rooms and other damp areas. When functioning properly, the devices are designed to run for extended periods, often unattended, to help prevent moisture-related damage and mold growth.

However, dehumidifiers can pose serious safety risks when they are defectively designed or manufactured. In recent years, federal investigators have linked certain models to overheating and electrical failures that sparked house fires and caused extensive property damage, prompting several major recalls involving millions of units sold under well-known brand names.

Investigations into past incidents have shown that some recalled dehumidifiers were capable of overheating and igniting during normal operation. Despite recall efforts, hundreds of overheating complaints and dozens of confirmed fires were reported, and some defective units allegedly remained in use for years due to missed recall notices or delays in obtaining replacements.

Since dehumidifiers are often left plugged in and running for long periods in basements or utility areas, defects that lead to overheating, electrical failures or ignition can go unnoticed until a serious fire has already started, placing homes and occupants at significant risk.

Frigidaire Dehumidifier House Fire Lawsuit 

According to the lawsuit, Didylowski purchased the Frigidaire dehumidifier in New York prior to April 2023, and used it inside her home on Poplar Street in Poughkeepsie. On or about April 20, 2023, the device allegedly failed and started a fire, causing extensive flame, smoke and water damage to the residence and its contents. The damages are alleged to exceed $400,000.

The complaint claims the dehumidifier at issue was among millions of units recalled in 2016 after regulators and manufacturers identified a risk that the devices could overheat and catch fire. The recall covered approximately 3.5 million dehumidifiers manufactured by GD Midea, including numerous models sold under the Frigidaire brand. Despite the recall, the lawsuit alleges the device remained in use and ultimately failed in a foreseeable and dangerous manner.

Safeco alleges that Electrolux, which distributed the dehumidifier under the Frigidaire name, failed to properly design, test, inspect and warn about the risks associated with the product. The lawsuit claims the dehumidifier contained defects that made it prone to overheating and ignition, and that safer alternative designs or adequate warnings could have prevented the fire.

“Defendant owed a duty of reasonable care to subrogor in regard to the manufacture, assembly, design, inspection, testing, marketing and distribution of the product.”

— Safeco National Insurance Company v. Electrolux Home Products Inc.

As a result of the fire, Safeco says it paid insurance benefits to Didylowski under her homeowners policy and is now pursuing recovery through subrogation. The complaint raises claims of negligence and strict product liability, alleging the dehumidifier was defective, unfit for its intended purpose and sold without adequate warnings about known fire hazards.

Safeco is seeking damages in excess of $400,000, along with interest and costs, arguing that Electrolux should be held financially responsible for losses caused by the allegedly defective recalled dehumidifier.

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