Kenmore Dehumidifier Lawsuit Alleges Device Ignited, Causing More Than $150,000 in Damages

Dehumidifier allegedly malfunctioned during normal use inside a couple’s home, igniting a fire that spread throughout their property.

A Pennsylvania couple has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging a Kenmore-branded dehumidifier suddenly malfunctioned and sparked a fire, which caused extensive damage to their home.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Maurice and Trudy Gossert in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on March 25.

The lawsuit names Winix Inc., which allegedly manufactured the dehumidifier, and Transform SR Brands LLC, doing business as Transformco, which is accused of distributing and selling the Kenmore-branded appliance in North America after acquiring Sears’ assets.

A dehumidifier is a kind of household appliance that is designed to remove excess moisture or humidity from the air, helping to keep indoor environments dry and comfortable. Although generally considered safe when used properly, faulty electrical component failures can cause units to overheat, smoke or catch fire, which has led to multiple large-scale dehumidifier recalls and lawsuits over the years.

Dehumidifier Lawsuits and Recalls

Earlier this year, an insurer filed a similar Frigidaire dehumidifier lawsuit, alleging that one of that company’s recalled models contained defects which caused it to overheat and ignite, resulting in a house fire and significant damage to the clients’ property.

Similar concerns have been raised in recent years by a string of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Gree dehumidifier recalls, which were tied to hundreds of reported fires nationwide.

The CPSC also announced a massive dehumidifier recall in 2021, impacting certain units from Haier, Amana, Honeywell and other brands, warning that the devices may overheat, smoke or catch fire, leading to millions of products being removed from the market and raising ongoing concerns about the safety of many of these household appliances.

Kenmore Dehumidifier Malfunction Lawsuit

According to the complaint, the Gosserts were using the Kenmore dehumidifier as intended in their Chambersburg, Pennsylvania home when it allegedly malfunctioned on March 26, 2024, sparking a fire that engulfed the home. The blaze is said to have caused extensive structural damage, along with significant costs for cleanup, repairs and related losses.

The lawsuit claims the dehumidifier was not altered or misused prior to the incident. Instead, it indicates the unit was defectively designed, manufactured and marketed, posing an unreasonable risk of fire.

The Gosserts maintain that the defendants knew or should have known the dehumidifier could present a fire hazard, yet failed to ensure the product was safe for consumers or provide adequate warnings about potential risks. 

They contend the product contained multiple defects, including issues related to its design, manufacturing and component parts, as well as inadequate instructions or warnings regarding safe use.

“As a result of the above-described fire and consequent damages, Plaintiffs’ property was damaged and additional expenses were incurred in an amount in excess of $150,000.00.”

— Maurice and Trudy Gossert v. Transform SR Brands LLC et al

The lawsuit raises allegations of negligence, strict liability and breach of warranties. It is seeking damages in excess of $150,000, along with additional compensation for costs, delay damages and attorney fees.

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