Electrolux Class Action Alleges Defective Ovens are Fire Hazard

A class action lawsuit filed on February 16 against Electrolux Home Products Inc., alleges that several models of both electric and gas range ovens sold under the brand names of Kenmore, Frigidaire, and Electrolux have defective wiring in their control boards, making them a dangerous fire hazard.

“The seriousness of the health and safety hazards these defects pose is exemplified by Plaintiffs’ experiences where, in both cases, fires resulting from the defects could have been catastrophic: their houses could have burned down and they could have been injured or killed,” the Electrolux class action asserts.

The Electrolux oven class action lawsuit contends that Electrolux “has known of this dangerous defect for years,” given the sheer number of complaints that can be found online. The class action lawsuit cites several websites, including safeproducts.gov and consumeraffairs.com, which have numerous  reviews and complaints from consumers. In addition, the class action argues that Electrolux “conducts a significant amount of after-market testing that should have informed it that its ovens had a defective electrical system.”

The experiences of the Plaintiffs John and Carol Reichardt are very similar to the online complaints. The Reichardts state that they purchased a Frigidaire electric range oven for $850, which lasted only 4 years before it caught on fire.  Even worse, Plaintiff Lisa Melby’s Kenmore gas stove lasted only one year before also catching on fire, according to her allegations. The complaint cites a study from the National Association of Home Builders which found that the average life expectancy of an electric oven is 13 years, and a gas range is 15 years. The class action lawsuit implies that these Electrolux ovens are not meeting that average.

The Reichardts state that in July of 2016 after coming home from being away for the weekend, they discovered that their oven had caught fire. The complaint asserts that the fire from the oven “damaged the kitchen, including the windows, cabinets, walls, small appliances, perishables, and a painting.” The Reichardts claim they have had to pay for numerous home repairs, including new drywall and treatment of the HVAC system. A report from the insurance company found that the fire was spontaneous, and “was caused by a malfunction of the relay system causing a fire in the control panel housing near the control panel board.”

Plaintiffs are requesting certification of a Class of “all persons in the United States who purchased or otherwise acquired an Electrolux designed and/or manufactured oven range primarily for personal, family, or household purposes having the Defect and who have incurred property damage, and/or loss of use, and/or loss of the benefit of the bargain, as a result of the Defects.” The class action lawsuit seeks restitution, punitive damages, and a court order “issuing a nationwide recall” of the defective ovens.

The Reichardts and Lisa Melby are represented by  Erin K. Dickenson and Charles J. Crueger of Crueger Dickinson LLC, Paul J. Hanly, Jr., and Mitchell M. Breit of Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, and Gregory C. Coleman, Mark E. Silvey, Adam A. Edwards, and Lisa A. White of Greg Coleman Law PC.

The Electrolux Fire Hazard Oven Defect Class Action Lawsuit is John Reichardt, et al., v. Electrolux Home Products, Inc., Case No. 17-cv-00219, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.