Maytag Recalls Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

March 10, 2009

Model/Serial Label

Side by Side model

Top Freezer model

The Maytag Corporation is recalling 1.6 million refrigerators due to a possible fire hazard after receiving dozens of reports from consumers saying that the appliance ignited causing damages to their homes according to a press release issued by the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall is for certain side by side and top freezer refrigerators made under the Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® names. Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in the recall.

Check your refrigerator's serial and model number to see if it was included in the recall. The printed label with these numbers is located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and has the following model and serial number combinations:

	Serial Numbers ENDING with	AND Model Numbers BEGINNING
Side by Side Refrigerators	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, ZZ	ARS, CS, JC, JS, MS, MZ, PS
Top Freezer Refrigerators	AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR, AT, AV, AX, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW, ZY, ZZ	AT, CT, MT, PT

The refrigerators were sold at department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for amounts ranging from $350 and $1600.

The problem with the refrigerators is caused by the relay - the component that turns on the refrigerator's compressor - which can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Customers should not return the refrigerator to the store where it was purchased. Customers can call Maytag at (866) 533-9817, or visit www.repair.maytag.com for more information about model numbers and serial numbers of the recalled refrigerators.