Jenn-Air Downdraft Gas Cooktops

CPSC Recall #05-050 - November 16, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number05-050
Recall DateNovember 16, 2004
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 1,170
ManufacturerMaytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Appliance stores nationwide from January 2004 through September 2004 for about $2
000.

Product

Jenn-Air Downdraft Gas Cooktops

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa is voluntarily recalling about 1,170 Jenn-Air downdraft gas cooktops. The recalled cooktops have switches located too close to the gas tubing leading to the grill burner. Electrical arcing can cause the tubing to leak gas and ignite, resulting in a fire hazard to consumers.Name of product: Jenn-Air Downdraft Gas CooktopsUnits: About 1,170Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, IowaHazard: The recalled cooktops have switches located too close to the gas tubing leading to the grill burner. Electrical arcing can cause the tubing to leak gas and ignite, resulting in a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received four reports of cooktops catching fire during use as a result of a gas leak. There have been no reports of injuries.Description: The recall includes built-in Jenn-Air model JGD8348CDP downdraft gas cooktops. They have serial numbers xxxxxxxEA through xxxxxxxER. The cooktops were manufactured by Maytag between January 1, 2004 and September 17, 2004. The model name and serial number are printed on a label on the vent fan housing, which is visible in the cabinet under the cooktop.Sold at: Appliance stores nationwide from January 2004 through September 2004 for about $2,000.Manufactured in: U.S.Remedy: Customers who have purchased one of these recalled cooktops should contact Maytag to schedule a free, in-home repair. Consumers should stop using the grill or burners activated by the two left hand controls until the repair is completed. The center and right hand burners can be used.Consumer Contact: Contact Maytag Corp. at (888) 330-3810 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.maytag.com.

Hazard

The recalled cooktops have switches located too close to the gas tubing leading to the grill burner. Electrical arcing can cause the tubing to leak gas and ignite, resulting in a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Maytag has received four reports of cooktops catching fire during use as a result of a gas leak. There have been no reports of injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Customers who have purchased one of these recalled cooktops should contact Maytag to schedule a free, in-home repair. Consumers should stop using the grill or burners activated by the two left hand controls until the repair is completed. The center and right hand burners can be used.

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.