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Appliance maker Whirlpool was slammed with a class action alleging the lint trap in its Cabrio and Duet model dryers present a fire hazard.
Plaintiffs Sara and Donald Hirst allege in their class action lawsuit that the Cabrio and Duet models are built in a way that lint builds up in an inaccessible area adjacent to the dyer ignition, resulting in a major fire hazard.
The plaintiffs claim that their Whirlpool dryer nearly burned their house down and now, since Whirlppol will not refund them for their defective dryer and they cannot afford a new one, they must disassemble and clean out their dryer once a week and never leave the dryer running unattended.
“Whirlpool has known of the Defect and its dangers for years; however, to date, it has failed to recall the Class Dryers or to inform or alert the public that the Class Dryers are defective and pose a serious safety risk,” the Whirlpool class action states.
According to the lawsuit, the Cabrio and Duet model dryers contain a built-in fire hazard. “Specifically, Whirlpool designed and manufactured the Class Dryers that fail to seal the drum from the surrounding cabinet, thereby allowing the accumulation of lint behind the drum and in the heater pan, areas that are not visible to or serviceable by, the user,” the plaintiffs claim.
The Hirsts say that lint can only be removed from the area with great difficulty – by taking the machine apart and vacuuming out the area. “The Defect is particularly dangerous because it cannot be detected by the consumers during normal use as it exists in an area of the Dryer not visible to consumers,” argue the plaintiffs.
Further compounding the problem, some models of the Whirlpool dryers contain combustible plastic air ducts and flame shields that increase the risk of fire, the lawsuit claims.
“[A]t least some Class Members, as defined herein, have likely experienced one or more small fires in their Dryers that have gone undetected because the fire(s) did not result in larger fire(s),” allege the plaintiffs.
The Hirsts say they only had their Whirlpool dryer for five years before they first became aware of a fire; however, Whirlpool has stated that dryers are designed to last 10 years and other experts say dryers should last up to 13 years.
Hundreds of complaints have been made, allege the plaintiffs. Additionally, Whirlpool has reportedly recalled certain models of its dryers in England and other European countries for fire hazards presented by excess lint, or “fluff.”
“Despite the high number of complaints and the danger posed by the defect, Whirlpool continues to conceal its existence from current customers and potential customers alike,” alleges the Whirlpool class action complaint.
The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide Class of Cabrio and Duet model dryer owners as well as a Michigan subclass. The plaintiffs want Whirlpool to admit that there’s a defect in the dryers that causes a fire hazard. They also want Whirlpool to disgorge all profits made from the allegedly defective dryers and recall the product.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages associated with replacing the allegedly defective dryers as well as for any property damages.
The plaintiffs are represented by E. Powell Miller, Sharon S. Almonrode and Dennis A. Lienhardt of The Miller Law Firm PC, Mitchell M. Breit and Paul J. Hanly Jr. of Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, and Gregory F. Coleman and Mark E. Silvey of Greg Coleman Law PC.
The Whirlpool Dryer Fire Hazard Class Action Lawsuit is Sara Hirst and Donald Hirst v. Whirlpool Corporation, Case No. 2:17-cv-12067-TGB-DRG, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
UPDATE: The Whirlpool Dryer Fire Hazard Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on November 30, 2017.
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187 thoughts onWhirlpool Class Action Says Dryers Pose Major Fire Hazard Risk
10/22/2022: Whirlpool MOD WED7500GW0 SER M91811090. A certified union electrician looked over our burned dryer and stated that this fire happened because of a defected productid as described in this article. My 7 month old was napping when the fire stated and thank god we got to it before it burned out of control and before spreading.
My whirlpool Cabrio wtw7040dw0
Washer and matching dryer first the dryer burnt a load of clothes whirlpool did nothing and now the washer caught fire had technician look at it and inspected it said it was manufacture default in wiring whirlpool won’t do anything my family was very lucky that I came into laundry room when I did or our home would have been in flames I’ve contacted ceo of whirlpool and no response I’m searching for an attorney and possibly a class action lawsuit
My dryer smelt like it was burning. Took it apart today and the entire bottom was filled with charred lint. Unacceptable
Our Whirlpool Cabrio dryer is 12 years old. Two years ago the heat element burned out so I went online and found the process to repair and did it. The area around the base and vent was full of burnt lint. Two days ago the entire circuit board fried and black soot and burnt wires resulted. Lucky we were home but the smell filled the house. Consumer beware of this! Not a safe product.
Our Whirlpool Duet WED95HEXLO circuit board caught fire today 7/6/2022. Bye, BYE Whirlpool. Hello Samsung.
12/9/21 our Whirlpool Duet Dryer started on fire tonight. Thankfully we were home and the smoke alarm saved us all. This product and company are negligent for not taking corrective action on this known problem. We quickly put out the fire and punched it to the garage. My first call tomorrow will be to hire legal council.
Our Whirlpool Cabrio dryer finished a cycle and was showing END on the electronic panel. I heard the “end” chime. About 5 hours later, woke up to hearing the dryer going. When I got to it, I smelled plastic melting, every time I opened the door it stopped but closing it, it started. The top of the dryer in one spot was all rippled and browned. Immediately unplugged it.
I take my dryer apart about every 6 weeks because it smells like it’s burning. I take it apart and the lint is all charred and smells burnt. After I clean it out I get about six weeks and it happens again. I keep looking to see if there has been any recalls but of course there is not. It is a pretty pricey dryer, they should be replacing them.
My dryer is 9 years old. Whirlpool duet — model & serial numbers: WGD9151YW0, Serial: M22908684
It smells like burning when it’s not being used. I’ve had the vents cleaned and the dryer cleaned. Techs say my dryer is in perfect condition. It smells like burning 1 to 3 days after use.
It’s giving me so much anxiety. I guess I’ll just get rid of it and buy a new one. I don’t want a fire. The darn thing is unplugged and smells.
It’s been unplugged about 30 hours this time. Twice today if has smelled like burning. And if I go check out the top of the vent outsized (on top of my condo building,) that smells too. The same burning smell.
It never smells when I am using it.
I have my dryer vent guy coming by to triple check the vents and a different repair company coming by Thursday. Ugh