Unlocking The Power of Your Money Recall of the Week: Maytag, other refrigerators

This week, the recall notices were so interesting I had a difficult time picking one to feature. I finally decided on the big one.

About 1.6 million Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag®, and Crosley® brand refrigerators are being recalled due to a possible fire hazard.

Manufactured by Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa, the refrigerators may have a defective relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, and an electrical failure in the relay can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

The recall includes certain Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag®, and Crosley® brand side by side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white, and stainless steel.

They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner.

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Manufactured in United States, the refrigerators were sold at department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between about $350 and $1,600.

Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at 866-533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com.

For information on other recent recalls, see www.Recalls.gov.