Whirlpool refrigerators class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiffs Stacy Costa, Nathaniel Guerrero and Missy Robinson filed a class action lawsuit against Whirlpool Corp.
- Why: Certain Whirlpool refrigerators allegedly have defective wires that can fray or break, causing a potential safety hazard.
- Where: The Whirlpool class action lawsuit was filed in Delaware federal court.
Whirlpool Corp. faces a class action lawsuit alleging it manufactured and sold Whirlpool refrigerators with defective wiring that can pose a safety hazard.
Plaintiffs Stacy Costa, Nathaniel Guerrero and Missy Robinson filed the Whirlpool class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and others who purchased certain French-door or side-by-side-style Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Kenmore refrigerator-freezer combinations with defective wiring.
They allege the Whirlpool refrigerators contain defective wires that are intended to flex when the door is opened and closed. However, the class action lawsuit alleges, the wires are made with materials that cause them to fray or break quickly with normal use, rendering many of the refrigerators’ functions useless.
“Moreover, the broken and frayed wires create a safety hazard due to the presence of exposed, live wires,” the plaintiffs allege. They claim the refrigerators defective wires issue often manifests within a few years of purchase.
Whirlpool has known of the refrigerators defective wires problem for at least a decade, as indicated by consumer complaints on social media and public forums, the Whirlpool class action lawsuit claims.
“Those complaints also necessitated Whirlpool’s communications with repair technicians and service representatives about the [refrigerators’ defective wires], which further evidences Whirlpool’s awareness of the problems,” the plaintiffs allege.
Plaintiffs say refrigerators defective wires issue is ‘irreparable’
The alleged Whirlpool refrigerators defect is “irreparable,” according to the Whirlpool class action lawsuit. The only way to restore functionality to the refrigerators is to install replacement doors, which also contain defective wires that will fail prematurely, the plaintiffs say.
Consumers seeking replacement doors are often required to wait months for their Whirlpool refrigerators to be repaired, if the replacement doors are available at all. When new Whirlpool refrigerator doors are available, the replacement door may cost more than $1,200, the plaintiffs say.
“As a result, most consumers are forced to purchase an entirely new refrigerator,” the class action lawsuit says.
The class action lawsuit asserts claims for breach of express warranty, violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, unjust enrichment, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation and violations of California, Florida and North Carolina laws.
Last year, another class action lawsuit claimed the company sells certain Whirlpool refrigerators with a defect that renders them unable to maintain a cool temperature.
Have you purchased Whirlpool refrigerators that failed prematurely? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Scott M. Tucker, Timothy N. Matthews, Zachary P. Beatty and Marissa N. Pembroke of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP
The Whirlpool refrigerators class action lawsuit is Stacy Costa, et al. v. Whirlpool Corp., Case No. 1:24-cv-00188-UNA, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
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285 thoughts onWhirlpool class action alleges several refrigerator brands house defective wires
I have a Whirlpool side by side refrigerator (model WRS588FIHV) that was purchased on 10/18/2021. I’m having the same issue with the wiring. It broke the first time after a little over a year and a service tech came out and fixed the wiring. It broke again a year after that, with different wires getting crimped and broken. Called Whirlpool and told them they have a design flaw and need to fix this again, but they would not do it without charging me for the service call. Please keep me posted on the class action lawsuit. If you need anymore info, just let me know…Thanks, Paul
I purchased a Kenmore side by side refrigerator in November 2016. We have a service agreement with our Gas company. In September 2018, the ice maker stopped working. After 3 service calls and replacement of the Mother Board, we were informed that the wires in the door had frayed and the cost of a new door would $1,100. We were that was not covered under our warranty plan.
Nightmare Whirlpool refrigerator experience here. Purchased one in 2020. It went out 2 years later, was not under warranty so had to buy entirely new unit. Got the warranty this time. This unit went out within 2 years. Whirlpool never had the right part to fix it. We argued with Whirlpool and True Blue (the warranty company) for 4 MONTHS before we “solved” the issue ourselves by buying a new fridge, this time not Whirlpool brand. This unfortunately meant a new freezer, as well, to match (it was a side by side). We are still waiting on the cash out from True Blue but at least we have a fridge/freezer that works in the meantime.
I have a Whirlpool side by side where the wires did exactly what you described in the law suite. A repairman came by (for $95) and told be Whirlpool had advise him this was not repairable and a new door installed would be approximately $1600. I looked at the frayed wires and wonder why the design has not be change to put a plug between the door and the wiring harness to allow a simple harness repair.
I was finally able to get a service tech here on April 1st – charged $149 for the visit and told me it would be $500+ for a new ice maker. That’s $231+ for the icemaker itself and $269+ labor (to remove 3 screws, unplug it, plug in the new and put the 3 screws back in). And there’s no guarantee the new one would work and if it did for how long. I guess I’ll continue buying bags of ice or start using ice trays (both of which will take up unnecessary space in my freezer).