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Refrigerators with more than just a Maytag name are being recalled.  Jenn-Air, Magic Chef and Amana are some of the other famous brand names that have an urgent recall notice after being linked to more than 40 fires.

Consumers can not return the refrigerators.  Instead, the company has agreed to provide for in-home repairs of all affected models.  Expect a busy telephone number, but consumers should call Maytag soon to see if their refrigerator is part of the recall.  A list of impacted models is below.  Units made between 2001 and 2004 are affected, but that’s the manufacturing, not the sales, date.  Call to be sure.

And while many recalls may be classed as a nuisance or minor risk, this Maytag refrigerator recall is already responsible for 16 fires causing measurable damage, including what the government called “extensive kitchen damage”.

The number to call Maytag any time is:  (866) 533-9817

Maytag refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not affected. Some that are can be found in this chart:

Maytag refrigerator recall model numbers

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Millions of household name products have been recalled this week by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The venerable Easy-Bake Oven, a childhood institution manufactured by Hasbro pictured right, has been blamed for injuring several dozen children whose hands were caught in the toy. An additional 5 children were treated for burns. As a result, the agency and company issued a statement that the toy should not be used by anyone under the age of eight years old.

The affected units have the number 65805 and Hasbro stamped into the plastic at the rear of the oven. Any unit sold before May 2006 is not included in this recall.

Consumers should contact Easy-Bake at (800) 601-8418 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. eastern time during any day to receive a free kit to repair the oven.

The company says that almost one million units are involved in the recall.

Another company recalling units is Maytag, the manufacturer of Maytag and Jenn-Air dishwashers. The company recalled 2.3 million units after receiving reports of 135 fires in the dishwasher.

Maytag says that liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser and come into contact with the dishwasher’s internal warning and cause a fire. Units affected include Maytag and Jenn-Air under counter or portable plastic tub dishwashers with black, white, almond, bisque or stainless steel front panels.

The CPSC suggests consumers contact Maytag toll-free at (800) 675-0535 anytime to determine if their dishwasher is one of the units manufactured in a 4 year period that is covered by the recall.

e recall involves Maytag® and Jenn-Air® under counter or portable plastic tub dishwashers. The dishwashers have black, white, almond, bisque and stainless steel front panels. The following model and serial numbers are printed on a label located on the dishwasher�s plastic frame on top of or to the left of the door opening. Consumers should contact Maytag to determine if their dishwasher is included in this recall

Posted under Recalls

A week after Maytag announced a recall of more than 636,000 vacuum cleaners, the company reported that its first quarter sales were down 80% and that costs were higher than expected.

Investors punished the stock today, dropping the share price 28%, the lowest that price has been in more than a decade. The company warned investors that its future earnings would be lower.

Despite the massive recall, the company’s web sites still do not include recall information even when selecting customer service options.

Posted under Products

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maytag jointly announced a recall of 636,000 vacuum cleaners manufactured by Maytag under the Hoover name.

According to the CPSC, “the recalled vacuums have defective on-off switches that can overheat the handle and toolholder areas of the vacuum, resulting in a fire hazard.” The government report also stated that 249 cases of vacuums overheating had been reported to Maytag.

The vacuum cleaners were sold between May 1998 and July 2000 at various outlets throughout the country. The affected models are:

U6423-900
U6425-900
U6425-950
U6445-900
U6445-960
U6449-900
U6450-900
U6451-900
U6455-900

The recalled models include serial numbers 0598xxxxxxxx through 1199xxxxxxxx, with the first four digits of the serial number indicating the month and year of production (e.g., 0598xxxxxxxx is May 1998).

Consumers should contact Maytag directly at (800) 250-6075 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday if they own one of these appliances.

Posted under Recalls