KitchenAid® ProLine® Toasters
CPSC Recall #05-142 — March 23, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-142 |
| Recall Date | March 23, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 40,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Various catalogs and specialty retailers nationwide from August 2003 through January 2005 for between $250 and $300. |
Product
KitchenAid® ProLine® Toasters
Description
The recalled KitchenAid® ProLine® countertop toasters are painted die-cast metal or stainless steel and come in 2-slice or 4-slice models. The model and serial numbers, which are on labels affixed to the bottom of the toasters, include:2 - Slice Models4 - Slice ModelsKPTT780PMKPTT780ERKPTT890PMKPTT890ERKPTT780BUKPTT780TGKPTT890BUKPTT890TGSerial Numbers of the recalled products begin with the letters "WTP." or "WTR."
Hazard
An interruption of power to the toaster can cause the heating elements to unexpectedly self-start and could ignite any flammable items left on top of the unit, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Whirlpool has received three reports of incidents involving heating elements unexpectedly self-starting, including one case outside the U.S. in which items on top of a toaster caught on fire. There are no reports of personal injury or property damage.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the toaster and contact KitchenAid® to arrange for a free replacement. Consumers should not return the toaster to the retailer where it was purchased, as retailers are not prepared to take them back.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.