Combination washer and gas dryer units

CPSC Recall #02-192 — July 1, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-192
Recall DateJuly 1, 2002
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 17,000

Where It Was Sold

Home improvement and department stores
new construction builders and remodelers sold these units nationwide from January 2000 through May 2002 for between $800 and $960.

Product

Combination washer and gas dryer units

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Whirlpool Corp., of Benton Harbor, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 17,000 combination washer and gas dryer units. The gas dryer can overheat, posing a fire hazard.Whirlpool has received two reports of the unit overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported.The recalled 24-inch washer and gas dryer units were sold under the Whirlpool®, Kenmore® and General Electric® brand names, which is written on the control panel of the units. They are white or light tan. The model and serial number are located behind the dryer door at the top of the opening. Model and serial numbers of units covered by this recall are as follows:BrandModel NumbersSerial NumberWhirlpool Compact Thin TwinLTG5243DZ2LTG5243DT2LTG5243DQ2LTG5243DQ3LTG5243DT3Begins with MM, ML or MKKenmore Laundry Center110.98752792110.98752793Begins with MM, ML or MKGeneral Electric Unitized SpacemakerWSM2480TBAWWWSM2480TCAWWHas Z, A or D as the second characterHome improvement and department stores, new construction builders and remodelers sold these units nationwide from January 2000 through May 2002 for between $800 and $960.Consumers should stop using these washer and gas dryer units and unplug them immediately. Do not attempt to shut off the gas supply. Call toll free at (866) 251-1607 anytime to arrange a free in-home service and repair. For more information, consumers can visit Whirlpool's recall website at www.repair.whirlpool.com. Consumers should have the model and serial numbers of their washer and gas dryer units available when they call.Washer and dryer units with electric dryers are not involved in the recall.

Hazard

The gas dryer can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Whirlpool has received two reports of the unit overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these washer and gas dryer units and unplug them immediately. Do not attempt to shut off the gas supply. Call toll free at (866) 251-1607 anytime to arrange a free in-home service and repair.

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.

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.