Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Sharp Electronics has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging a defect may cause some of its microwave drawers to ignite.
Lead plaintiff Erin Haight claims that Sharp manufactures six types of microwave drawers, all of which are susceptible to catching fire even during normal use.
Haight says she purchased a Sharp microwave drawer and began to use it in October 2016. However, in July 2017, even after properly cleaning and maintaining it, Haight claims that her Sharp microwave drawer started to spark and emit smoke.
The plaintiff says she got a replacement microwave, but it was plagued with the same issues. The Sharp microwave class action lawsuit claims Haight was never warned of the defect and she had no reason to suspect a problem.
“More specifically, the Microwaves are defectively designed and/or manufactured such that, under normal and intended use, the electromagnetic waves generated by the magnetron tube are unable to properly move through the waveguide into the cooking cavity, resulting in buzzing, smoking, overheating, and eventual destruction of the magnetron, leading to scorching of the waveguide,” the Sharp microwave class action lawsuit states.
According to the Sharp Electronics class action lawsuit, microwave drawers are appliances that can be installed in cabinets, countertops, and over-the-range. They average in price between $1,000 to $1,700, and include models SMD2470AH, SMD2470AS, SMD3070AS, SMD2480CS, KB6524PS, and KB6525PS.
The defective component of the microwave drawers, alleges the Sharp class action lawsuit, is the magnetron, a vacuum tube that generates the heat needed to cook the food.
Microwave magnetrons are powered by a high voltage transformer, but Sharp magnetrons allegedly contain a defect that does not allow the energy to be distributed properly.
“More specifically, the electromagnetic energy that originates from the magnetron tube becomes obstructed or disturbed while moving through the waveguide,” states the Sharp microwave drawer class action lawsuit.
Haight alleges that Sharp knows about the microwave fire risk, but continues to hide this information from consumers.
“At all relevant times, Sharp knew or should have known about the defect but nevertheless marketed, advertised, and sold the Microwaves without warning consumers that the Microwaves are likely to overheat and could result in buzzing, overheating of the magnetron, scorching of the waveguide, smoking, and ultimate failure,” contends the Sharp class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff alleges that it can take a mere 30 seconds for the microwave to overheat, leading to scorching of the back panel, smoking and even total failure of the microwave drawer.
Further, when consumers complain or return their appliance to Sharp, the company replaces the microwave drawer with a similar defective unit.
“The replacement Microwaves also fail, or are likely to fail in the same manner, leaving consumers fearful of additional smoke and fire caused by the Microwaves, and to contend with Microwaves that do not function as intended,” says the Sharp microwave class action lawsuit.
The Sharp Electronics class action lawsuit is seeking compensation for the defective microwaves, as well as for property damage caused by them and for the loss of meals burned by defective units.
The plaintiff seeks to represent New York residents who purchased a Sharp microwave drawer.
The plaintiff is represented by Jonathan K. Tycko, Hassan A. Zavareei, and Andrea Gold of Tycko & Zavareei LLP, Gregory F. Coleman, Rachel Soffin, Lisa A. White, and Adam A. Edwards of Greg Coleman Law PC, and Daniel K. Bryson, and Harper T. Segui of Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP.
The Sharp Microwave Drawer Class Action Lawsuit is Haight v. Sharp Electronics Corporation, Case No. 3:19-cv-00371-MAD-DEP, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
UPDATE: The Sharp Microwave Drawer Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on June 20, 2019.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
107 thoughts onSharp Class Action Says Microwave Drawers May Catch on Fire
Mine just started this morn. Little under 3 years old. Started on fire and electrical smells and smoke emigrating from my drawer microwave.
I am having similar issues with mine, happened today loud noises cracking sound open drawer and black smoke, my husband was reheating his coffee. My island was built around this unit.
My Sharp model SMD2470AS is less than a year old and was used no more than 10 times. Yesterday it started smoking and making a buzzing sound. Defective product.
I am on my second Sharp Microwave drawer in the last four years. Sharp had me contact a local authorized repair company who came out to evaluate the unit to determine if it could be repaired. Estimated cost of repair was $750.00, not including the $129.00 I was charged for the service call. The repair would only warrant the parts for one year. A new unit cost approximately $1100.00 and I was advised by Sharp to purchase the extended warranty. Our kitchen island was designed specifically for the Sharp microwave drawer. Currently waiting for a decision from Sharp on how they can assist in some way. The microwave looked great and worked fine until it didn’t.
same issue with mine add me
I’m unsure if it is the same company, but our Boshe microwave door caught fire yesterday. I’m a paralegal student and I cant find but two things on this lawsuit, and all it says is that the case is dismissed. Why? We hadn’t even used our microwave yesterday, my mother just went to open the door and saw red. We had to shoot it with a fire extinguisher, so much mess and so much time. Since this is affecting so many people, and peoples homes and livelihood is at risk, can someone explain why it was dismissed?
My sharp Microwave drawer very infrequently used and bought in 2016. Within a year I was melting butter. The loud buzzing noise and smoke. Sharp replaced the appliance and within 2 years the exact same thing happened. This time I am not getting the assistance with this and clearly this is a faulty design issue. So frustrating to not have some recourse against a company that continues to put consumers at risk!
Have had our sharp model number KB6524PS for less than a year. Just had going to 20 seconds and it started smoking. Unplugged and am calling right now
I have the Sharp microwave drawer KB-6525PS and although I travel often and have not used it often, I noticed a burning smell sometime ago and did not pay it any mind. Yesterday, after not using my microwave for sometime I tried to warm a cup of water in a plain white coffee cup and there was a spark, smoke and electrical or burning smell. The microwave went out and came back on. Within two minutes the microwave came back on to indicate me to set the time. When I tried to set the time, the microwave went out and never came back on. I have a call into Sharp since my warranty went out March 1, 2020. How do I join the lawsuit?
Thank you for this information. I currently have one on order, but I’m calling them today to cancel the order. Thank you!
how do we contact Sharp?