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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:

Posted under Recalls, Safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced that 112,000 Automatic Defrost Upright Freezers and All-Refrigerators are recalled in voluntary cooperation with W.C. Wood Company of Ottawa, Ohio. the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

According to the government agency, the defrost heater coil can become exposed inside the units, which poses a potential shock hazard to consumers. In some cases the exposed heater wire can also melt, or burn the unit’s interior plastic food liner.

The CPSC also said that the manufacturer has received 45 reports of incidents of the defrost heater coil becoming exposed. Nine of those incidents resulted in an electrical short. The others melted and burned the unit’s interior plastic liner. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled single door freezers and refrigerators are 15, 17 and 20-cubic foot Automatic Defrost Upright Freezers and 17-cubic foot Automatic Defrost All-Refrigerators that can be converted into freezers. They were sold under the brand names Amana, Crosley, Danby, Maytag, Whirlpool and Wood’s, which is written on the front of the unit. The manufacturer label with the model number and date of manufacture is located on the inside of the cabinet. A list of model numbers and dates of manufacture included in the recall is listed below.

Amana AFU1567*, AFU1767*, AFU2067* 200209
(September 2002) through 200402 (February 2004)

Crosley FFCR17*, WCF15*, WCF17*, WCF20*

Danby DUF1700*, DFF1708*

Maytag MQU1556*, MQU2057*

Whirlpool EV150NXM*, EV170NYL*, EV171NYM*, EV200NXK*,
EV201NXM*, EL7ATRRK*, EL7ATRRM*, EL7JWKLM*, EL7JWKRM*

Wood’s F15*, F17*, F20*, F42*, F47*, F55*, WFF15*,
WFF17*, WFF20*, RFA17*, RFC17*, R47F*

* there are additional letters or numbers following the model numbers above

The appliances were sold between September 2002 and February 2005 in the United States and Canada for between $400 and $1,000 each.

Sold at: Home improvement and appliance stores from September 2002 through February 2005 for between $400 and $1,000. Consumers are encouraged to contact W.C. Wood toll-free at (866) 493-3314 to arrange for a free in-home repair.

Posted under Recalls