Maytag recalls 1.6 million refrigerators

Brands include Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley

After getting multiple reports of property damage, Maytag has recalled 1.6 million refrigerators under six popular brand names because of an electrical failure that poses a fire hazard. The defect is in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator's compressor, which can overheat. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 41 reports of the relays catching fire, including 16 that resulted in property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

The recall—by far the largest refrigerator safety recall—involves certain side-by-side and top-freezer models made by Maytag under its own brand as well as  Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley. Bottom-freezer units are not affected by the recall. The units were made in white, black, bisque, and stainless steel and sold at appliance and homebuilder stores nationwide from January 2001 to January 2004 for between $350 and $1,600.

Maytag and the CPSC are urging consumers to contact Maytag as soon as possible to schedule a free in-home repair. The CPSC is not asking owners to unplug the units since repairs are expected to be made promptly. Maytag can be reached by calling 866-533-9817 or by visiting the company's Web site repair.maytag.com. The CPSC has determined that Maytag's planned repair works and the company plans to publicize the recall to reach as many affected consumers as possible.

This is not the first time Maytag has made a sizeable recall of one if its appliances. In 2007, the company recalled 2.3 million Maytag and Jenn-Air dishwashers sold between July 1997 and June 2001 because they pose a fire hazard. That recall came after the company received 135 reports of dishwasher fires, resulting in product and/or property damage. Four injuries were reported.

At Consumer Reports, in addition to rating and recommending refrigerators and other appliances, we study brand repair rates. And in our most recent frequency-of-repair analysis (for subscribers) Maytag has been the least reliable brand of top-freezer brands purchased from 2003 to 2007.

To determine if you have one of the recalled refrigerators, read the recall notice, which gives a guide to the serial numbers and model numbers of the recalled units. The numbers are printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner (see illustration at right).