Side-by-side refrigerators
CPSC Recall #95-023 - November 2, 1994
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 95-023 |
| Recall Date | November 2, 1994 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions, Replace, Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 5,000 |
Product
Side-by-side refrigerators
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Amana Refrigeration Inc. of Amana, Iowa, initiated a program to fix a shock hazard in certain side-by-side refrigerators. Amana estimates that approximately 5,000 of the 353,000 side-by-side refrigerators made from April 1993 to September 8, 1994, have a screw on the light cover that could come into contact with a concealed electrical wire to cause a shock. To date, Amana has received four reports of people receiving electrical shocks. The side-by-side refrigerators, which sold nationwide through appliance retailers for about $1,200 to $2,200, have serial numbers 9304000000 through 9409156208. Some of these refrigerators (Models 596.9530820, 596.9530850, 596.9530880, 596.9535610, 596.9535650 and 596.95356800) were sold under the Sears Kenmore brand name. Owners of these Kenmore models with serial numbers within the range will be contacted directly by Sears. Owners of Amana side-by-side refrigerators with serial numbers within the range who mailed in ownership registration cards will receive screw replacement kits from Amana. The kits contain instructions, a special non-conducting wrench, and nylon replacement screws. Consumers who believe they have one of the recalled units, and who did not mail in their registration cards, should call Amana immediately at (800) 688-9900 for a free screw replacement kit. Media inquiries should be directed to Ann Humbert of Amana at (319) 622-2142.
Hazard
Amana estimates that approximately 5,000 of the 353,000 side-by-side refrigerators made from April 1993 to September 8, 1994, have a screw on the light cover that could come into contact with a concealed electrical wire to cause a shock.
Incidents & Injuries
To date, Amana has received four reports of people receiving electrical shocks.
Remedy Instructions
Owners of Amana side-by-side refrigerators with serial numbers within the range who mailed in ownership registration cards will receive screw replacement kits from Amana. The kits contain instructions, a special non-conducting wrench, and nylon replacement screws. Consumers who believe they have one of the recalled units, and who did not mail in their registration cards, should call Amana immediately at (800) 688-9900 for a free screw replacement kit.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, Replace, 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 (New Instructions, Replace, 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.