FAQs
Listed below are some of the questions that have been asked and the answers. These may address some of your own questions.
- Why are these freezers and refrigerators being recalled?
- Which products are being recalled?
- What will Whirlpool do to fix the products?
- When will Whirlpool fix the product?
- Do customers have to buy a new product?
- How will customers know that the freezer or refrigerator is safe after they have received service?
- Didn’t Whirlpool or Wood test the product before putting it on the market?
- How do customers know if their freezer or refrigerator is a part of the recall?
- What if a consumer owns a freezer or refrigerator that is not within the model number range?
- What should customers do if their freezer or refrigerator is part of the recall?
- Should customers unplug their appliance while waiting for repairs?
- If customers unplug their appliance(s) will Whirlpool reimburse them for the cost of any food that may spoil?
- What if a consumer wants a new freezer or refrigerator rather than getting their recalled product fixed?
- Can customers contact the place they bought their freezer or refrigerator to schedule a service call?
- How can customers be sure that their other Whirlpool products are safe?
- Will Whirlpool buy-back these units?
- Where were these freezers and refrigerators manufactured?
- Who are the main distributors for these products?
- How do we contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)?
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Why are these freezers and refrigerators
being recalled?
Whirlpool Corporation, in cooperation with W.C. Wood Company Inc. and the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is voluntarily recalling
approximately 67,000 Whirlpool brand single-door frost-free freezers (20
cubic feet or less) and refrigerators (17 cubic feet) in order to
perform a repair to eliminate the potential for electrical shock.
Safety is one of Whirlpool’s top priorities. While no injuries have been
reported, this recall is being conducted to ensure your safety.
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Which products are being recalled?
Whirlpool Corporation, in cooperation with W.C. Wood Company Inc. and
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is voluntarily recalling
approximately 67,000 Whirlpool brand single-door, frost-free freezers
(20 cubic feet or less) and refrigerators (17 cubic feet) manufactured
between September 2002 and February 2004. The freezers and refrigerators
come in black, white or stainless steel. They have the following model
numbers located inside the appliance on the front top left-hand corner:
|
Brand |
Model Numbers (begin with) |
Date of Manufacture |
|
Whirlpool |
EL7ATRRK, EL7ATRRM, EL7JWKLM, EL7JWKRM, EV150NXM, EV170NYL, EV171NYM, EV200NXK, EV201NXM |
200209 (September 2002) through 200402 (February 2004) |
The majority of these units were sold at retail outlets nationwide
between September 2002 and December 2004 for $399-1099.
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What will Whirlpool do to fix the products?
The freezer and/or refrigerator will be inspected and/or repaired free
of charge.
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When will Whirlpool fix the product?
Whirlpool is working as quickly as possible and expects to begin
repairing units, both in consumers’ homes and in trade partners stores
and warehouses, beginning in September 2005.
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Do customers have to buy a new product?
No. Whirlpool will inspect and/or repair the freezer and/or refrigerator
free of charge.
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How will customers know that the freezer
or refrigerator is safe after they have received service?
A black dot will be added to the model and serial number tag of the
consumer’s freezer or refrigerator. This black dot indicates that the
consumer’s freezer or refrigerator has been repaired.
Didn’t Whirlpool or Wood test the product
before putting it on the market?
The safety of Whirlpool’s customers is the company’s top priority. It
conducts extensive testing on the products it, or its manufacturers,
develop and bring to market.
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How do customers know if their freezer or
refrigerator is a part of the recall?
The recalled products are brand single-door, frost-free freezers (20
cubic feet or less) and refrigerators (17 cubic feet) manufactured
between September 2002 and February 2004. The freezers and refrigerators
come in black, white or stainless steel. They have the following model
numbers located inside the appliance on the front top left-hand corner:
|
Brand |
Model Numbers (begin with) |
|
Whirlpool |
EL7ATRRK, EL7ATRRM, EL7JWKLM, EL7JWKRM, EV150NXM, EV170NYL, EV171NYM, EV200NXK, EV201NXM |
The majority of these units were sold at retail outlets nationwide between September 2002 and December 2004 for $399-1099.
What if a consumer owns a freezer or refrigerator that is
not within the model number range?
The consumer’s freezer
or refrigerator is NOT a part of the recall and they may continue to use
it safely.
What should customers do if their freezer or refrigerator is
part of the recall?
Consumers with recalled freezers or
refrigerators can continue using the appliance as normal if it was
installed according to the installation instructions and should call
Whirlpool Corporation toll-free at 1-866-493-3314 anytime to schedule
service on their affected appliance.
Should customers unplug their appliance while waiting for repairs?
Whirlpool has been working closely with the Consumer Product Safety
Commission on this recall.
If customers know their appliance is connected to a properly grounded
electrical circuit according to the installation instructions, then
there is no need to unplug the appliance. If it is not connected to a
properly grounded electrical circuit or they are unsure, they should
make arrangement to move the food inside the appliance to another
location, unplug the appliance and notify their family not to use the
appliance until it is repaired.
Customers should call Whirlpool Corporation toll-free at 1-866-493-3314
to schedule service on their affected appliance.
If customers unplug their appliance(s) will Whirlpool reimburse them
for the cost of any food that may spoil?
If the unit was installed per the Use and Care Guide instructions and is
connected to a properly grounded electrical circuit, there is no need to
unplug the appliance. Therefore, Whirlpool will not provide
reimbursement for any food costs if a customer decides to unplug his/her
appliance from a proper installation.
What if a consumer wants a new freezer or refrigerator rather than
getting their recalled product fixed?
Whirlpool has been working closely with the Consumer Product Safety
Commission on this recall. It was determined that the approved
corrective action is to repair the freezer (or refrigerator). The repair
will correct the issue.
Can customers contact the place they bought their freezer or
refrigerator to schedule a service call?
Consumers should call Whirlpool Corporation toll-free at 1-866-493-3314
anytime to schedule service on their affected freezer or refrigerator.
If a dealer provides service, the repair will be scheduled through the
dealer if possible.
How can customers be sure that their other Whirlpool products are safe?
Whirlpool has a long history of making safe and reliable products, as well
as partnering with manufacturers who make safe and reliable products.
This recall only affects the specific products mentioned.
Safety is one of Whirlpool’s top priorities, which is why we have and
will continue to take immediate voluntary action if or when we discover
a safety issue with one of our products.
Whirlpool Corporation has worked closely with the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission on this recall. There is no need to be concerned about
any other Whirlpool products.
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Will Whirlpool buy-back these units?
No. Whirlpool Corporation has worked closely with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission on this recall. It was determined that the
safe and appropriate resolution to this matter is to inspect the freezer
or refrigerator, and if affected by the recall, to repair the defrost
heater in the consumer’s home at no charge.
Where were these freezers and refrigerators manufactured?
They were manufactured by the W.C. Wood Company on behalf of Whirlpool
Corporation in either Ottawa, Ohio, or Ontario, Canada.
Who are the main distributors for these products?
The majority of the freezer or refrigerators were sold at retail outlets
nationwide.
How do we contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)?
For information from the CPSC we suggest you visit their web site at
http://www.cpsc.gov/.