New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
Category – Appliance Defects
Recall Issued for 41,000 Haier Freezers That May Catch Fire
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Haier America has expanded its recall of chest freezers to a total of 108,500 units. The recall was recently expanded to include 41,000 additional units after more models were discovered to be at risk of short circuiting and catching on fire.
The capacitor in the circuitry of the freezer could overheat. As a result, a fire may occur in the unit, posing injury and property damage hazards.
While units were recalled in November 2010 after 18 incidents of fires, 27 additional incidents were reported after the recall. In total, four reports of minor property damage and three reports of substantial property damage have been reported.
The freezer recall affects three different models:
- Haier Model HNCM070E, 7.0 cubic foot capacity, with serial numbers that begin with 0907, 0908, 0909, 0910, 0911, 0912, 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004.
- Haier Model ESNCM053E, 5.3 cubic foot capacity, with serial numbers beginning with 0907, 0908, 0909, 0910, 0911, 0912, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, and 1007.
- Black & Decker Model BFE53, 5.3 cubic foot capacity, with UPC896603002660, with serial numbers 0907, 0908, 0909, 0910, 0911, 0912, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, and 1007.
Consumers can find more information regarding this recall from the CPSC at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Haier-America-Expands-Recall-of-Chest-Freezers ; the recall number with the CPSC is 13-160; and/or can contact Haier America by calling (877) 878-7578.
If you have been injured by a defective product, get in touch with the team of New Jersey defective household product lawyers at Blume Goldfaden. We can be reached at (973) 635-5400 and offer a no-cost consultation for you to learn more about your rights and to help you determine what potential legal action may be right for you.
GE Recalls Over 1 Million Dishwashers due to Fire Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced the massive recall of approximately 1.3 million General Electric (GE) Appliances dishwashers after reports of heating element failure and fires. Electrical failure in the heating element may create a fire hazard. There have been 15 reports of such failures, including seven that resulted in fires. Three of these fire incidents caused serious property damage, but no fire injuries have yet been reported.
The recall involves GE, GE Eterna, GE Profile, GE Adora, and Hotpoint brand dishwashers. They were sold in white, black, stainless steel, bisque, and CleanSteel™ finishes and colors. The serial and model numbers are on a metallic plate, which can be found on the left tub wall. Serial and model numbers start with one of the sequences below:
Model Numbers
- GLC4, GLC5, GLC6
- GSD61, GSD62, GSD63, GSD66, GSD67, GSD69
- GLDL
- PDW7
- PDWF7
- EDW4, EDW5, EDW6
- GHD4, GHD5, GHD6
- GHDA4, GHDA6
- Hotpoint only: HLD4
Serial Numbers
- FL, GL, HL, LL, ML, VL, ZL
- AM, DM, FM, GM, HM, LM, MM, RM, SM, TM, VM, ZM
- AR, DR, FR, GR
The defective dishwashers were sold for between $350 and $850 at authorized builder distributors, appliance dealers, and other stores across the country from March 2006 through August 2009.
Consumers should stop using the dishwashers and disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the circuit breaker or fuse controlling it. Contact GE for a no-cost in-home repair or to receive a GE rebate of $75 or $100 towards the purchase of a new dishwasher. Consumers should not return the defective dishwashers to the location where they purchased the unit. Retailers are not prepared to take them. For more information, call GE at (866) 918-8760.
If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of a defective household appliance, the experienced New Jersey appliance defect attorneys at Blume Goldfaden can help you understand your legal rights and potential options. For a no-cost consultation, call us at (973) 635-5400.