Maytag Refrigerator Recall: Electrical Defect Poses Fire Risk

About 1.6 million Maytag, Jen-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa and Crosley brand refrigerators have been recalled due to a risk that they may overheat and potentially catch fire.

The Maytag refrigerator recall applies to both side-by-side refrigerators and top freezer refrigerators which were sold between January 2001 and January 2004.

An electrical failure in the component that turns the refrigerator’s compressor, known as the relay, could cause the refrigerator to overheat. At least 41 reports of problems have been received by Maytag, including 16 cases where property damage was caused by the refrigerator overheating or catching fire.

All of the refrigerators were manufactured by Maytag Corp, of Newton, Iowa, and sold in black, bisque, white and stainless steel.

For side by side refrigerators, the recall applies to those with:

• Serial numbers ending with AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR, AT, AV, AX, CA, CC, CE, CG, CJ, CL, ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW, ZY or ZZ, AND
• Model numbers beginning with ARS, CS, JC, JS, MS, MZ, PS

For top freezer refrigerators, the recall applies to those with:

• Serial numbers ending with AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR,AT, AV, AX, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW, ZY or ZZ, AND
• Model numbers beginning with AT, CT, MT, PT

The Maytag refrigerators, Jenn-Air refrigerators, Amana refrigerators, Admiral refrigerators, Magic Chef refrigerators, Performa refrigerators and Crosley refrigerators were sold for between $350 and $1600 at department stores, appliance stores and homebuilders throughout the United States.

Consumers can contact Maytag directly at (866) 533-9817 to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Additional information is also available at www.repair-maytag.com.