A new class action lawsuit against Whirlpool Corporation addresses refrigerators alleged to have defective wiring that compromises the appliance’s functionality and safety.
If you bought a Whirlpool refrigerator, you likely did because the company has an outstanding reputation of making quality products. But, according to the plaintiffs, the wires, designed to flex with the opening and closing of the refrigerator doors, are prone to fraying or breaking prematurely due to the use of substandard materials.
This defect, often manifesting within a few years of purchase, significantly hinders the refrigerator’s performance by disabling critical features such as ice makers and water dispensers—key selling points emphasized in Whirlpool’s marketing materials. Furthermore, the plaintiffs highlight an alarming safety concern: the risk of electrocution or fire stemming from exposed, live wires, a danger exacerbated by the presence of water and known to refrigerator manufacturers like Whirlpool.
The Whirlpool Refrigerator Problem
The allegations against Whirlpool refrigerators highlight a persistent and concerning issue that has plagued consumers for over a decade. According to numerous customer complaints on online platforms such as ApplianceBlog.com, a significant defect in the design of these refrigerators causes the ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser to fail much earlier than expected. This defect is reportedly due to frayed or broken wires at the bottom of the freezer door, a problem that manifests itself through the malfunctioning of essential refrigerator features. The volume and consistency of these complaints, dating back to as early as 2006, paint a picture of a widespread and well-known issue among consumers.
Further allegations suggest that Whirlpool has been aware of these defects for a long time, based on the multitude of complaints and discussions on public forums and direct communications with the company. Despite this awareness, it is alleged that Whirlpool has continued to sell these refrigerators without disclosing the known defect to potential consumers.
This perceived inaction and lack of transparency have led to accusations of deliberate concealment on Whirlpool’s part, where the company is accused of willfully ignoring the safety risks associated with the defect. These risks are not trivial, as exposed, live wires pose a significant hazard, potentially leading to electrocution or fire, especially given the presence of water in and around refrigerators.
Consumers who have reached out to Whirlpool directly, seeking repair options for their malfunctioning refrigerators, have been said to have been met with denials about the existence of any defect. This situation has reportedly left many consumers bearing the costs of ineffective repairs or replacements, as Whirlpool technicians and authorized service providers are also said to be aware of the defect yet unable to provide a permanent solution.
Replacement Doors No Help
The class action alleges that Whirlpool has been aware of this wiring issue for at least a decade, with a wealth of consumer complaints across social media and public forums attesting to the problem. Despite this awareness, Whirlpool continued to market and sell the affected refrigerator models without disclosing the defect to consumers, let alone addressing it.
Whirlpool’s technicians have reportedly acknowledged that the only remedy for the defect is the replacement of the entire freezer door. But the problem is the replacement doors reportedly suffer from the same wiring flaw. What does this tell us? It tells us that the defect is irreparable and likely to recur, leaving consumers with no lasting solution. Moreover, obtaining replacement doors is often a challenge due to availability issues or long backorders, and when available, the cost can exceed $1,200, prompting most affected consumers to replace their refrigerator entirely.
Whirlpool Claims
Whirlpool’s failure to disclose and rectify the wiring defect not only breaches express and implied warranties but also violates several state consumer protection statutes, including the California Legal Remedies Act, California False Advertising Law, Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices Act.
The lawsuit accuses Whirlpool of engaging in unfair, deceptive, and misleading practices by concealing the defect, which has resulted in ascertainable losses and injuries to the plaintiffs and similarly situated consumers. As a consequence, the plaintiffs are seeking monetary, injunctive, and other appropriate relief to compensate for the damages incurred and to prevent further harm.
This lawsuit underscores the significant discrepancy between Whirlpool’s advertising of its refrigerators as reliable and equipped with desirable features and the reality faced by consumers, who are allegedly deprived of basic functionalities due to a known defect. The plaintiffs argue that the affected refrigerators’ inability to perform advertised functions not only diminishes their value but also poses serious safety risks, all of which were not disclosed by Whirlpool at the point of sale.
Who Are the Lawyers Handling the Whirlpool Refrigerator Class Action?
Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP (CSK&D) is the class action law firm who filed this lawsuit. A 14-lawyer firm, CSK&D has offices in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware.