General Electric, Hotpoint, Kenmore, and Americana brand freestanding electric ranges and double ...

CPSC Recall #04-576 — August 25, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-576
Recall DateAugust 25, 2004
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected28,300
ManufacturerGeneral Electric Appliances Co., of Louisville, Ky.
Manufactured InUnited States and Mexico

Where It Was Sold

There have been no incidents reported.

Product

General Electric, Hotpoint, Kenmore, and Americana brand freestanding electric ranges and double wall ovens

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), General Electric Appliances Co., of Louisville, Ky. is voluntarily recalling 28,300 General Electric, Hotpoint, Kenmore, and Americana brand freestanding electric ranges and double wall ovens. The ranges and wall ovens have faulty wiring, which can melt and cause the oven to short circuit. The appliance can then stop working and pose a shock hazard to consumers.Name of product: General Electric, Hotpoint, Kenmore, and Americana brand freestanding electric ranges and double wall ovensUnits: 28,300Manufacturer: General Electric Appliances Co., of Louisville, Ky.Hazard: The ranges and wall ovens have faulty wiring, which can melt and cause the oven to short circuit. The appliance can then stop working and pose a shock hazard to consumers.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: There have been no incidents reported. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.Description: The recall includes electric coil top freestanding ranges and wall ovens. The coil ranges are 30 inches wide with controls in the rear. The wall ovens include the 27- and 30-inch models, with the lower oven controlled by a knob and not self-clean. The upper oven is self-clean. The following models are included in this recall:Freestanding Coil RangesDouble Wall OvensHotpoint BrandRB757BH/WH/CHRB536WH/CHRB526HRB525BH/HGeneral Electric BrandJTP28B/W/S/CJKP28B/W/CGeneral Electric BrandJBS27BH/WH/CH/SH JBS03BH/HJBS07HJBP21BH/WHKenmore Brand22-47722/4/9Americana BrandABS300J Kenmore Brand22-91112/422-62781 Manufactured In: United States and MexicoSold By: Appliance retail outlets and builder distributors nationwide sold the ranges from June 2004 through July 2004 for between $250 and $500, and the wall ovens from April 2004 through July 2004 for between $950 and $1500.Remedy: Consumers should stop using the appliances immediately and contact GE to schedule a repair at no charge.Consumer Contact: Consumers should call the GE Recall Hotline at (800) 326-1076 anytime to see if their range or wall oven is included in this recall and arrange for the free repair.

Hazard

The ranges and wall ovens have faulty wiring, which can melt and cause the oven to short circuit. The appliance can then stop working and pose a shock hazard to consumers.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the appliances immediately and contact GE to schedule a repair at no charge.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) at no cost to you.

No — you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.

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.