Santa Clara, CA: Whirlpool and its subsidiary Kitchenaid are facing a consumer fraud class action lawsuit filed by a Minnesota resident who alleges the manufacturers' refrigerators contain a compressor with a defect that causes them to fail prematurely.
According to the suit, filed by Laura Seviola on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, the refrigerators stop cooling, and they often leak water causing damage to surrounding appliances, furnishings and flooring, according.
The suit alleges that tens of thousands of US consumers were led to believe by the defendants that their refrigerators would last for a specific time period without problems, or else the defendants would repair or replace the refrigerators. However, the suit claims, the defendants knew the refrigerators were defectively designed, that they would fail prematurely, and that they have failed to implement any changes to their refrigerators or warranty procedures to remedy the defects.
Plaintiffs are claiming unlawful and trade practices, false advertising, consumer fraud, negligence, breach of implied warranties, unjust enrichment, and fraudulent misrepresentation, concealment and failure to disclose.
Seviola and others in the class seek compensatory, actual, treble, and punitive damages, restitution, injunctive and declaratory relief, attorney fees, and costs of the suit, together to exceed $5 million. They are represented by attorneys Melissa W. Wolchansky and Amy E. Boyle of Halunen Law in Minneapolis; by attorney Charles L. LaDuca of Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca in Bethesda, Maryland; and by attorney Robert K. Shelquist of Lockridge Grindal Nauen in Minneapolis.
The case is U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota Case number 0:15-CV-04334-MJD-BRT.
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Our KitchenAid French Door refrigerator was less than a year old when the freezer began to leak fr-eon which caused ice to form on the coil. The fan started to make a very LOUD clattering, buzzing sound as it bumped against the ice on the coil when it turns. You could hear it throughout our home. Reluctantly Whirlpool repaired it only to have the same issue develop again in less than 2 years. It was repaired again. The tech told us the unit was poorly designed and expect the same issue again. TODAY IT DEVELOPED THE SAME ISSUE FOR A 3RD TIME. It should have been replaced the second time but Whirlpool refused to replace it. This refrigerator is a lemon. Whirlpool needs to admit these refrigerators are lemons and replace everyone of them or better yet, give us our money back so we may purchase a decent brand.
Posted by Juliet Pearl Perry
on
Purchased a Kitchenaid refrigerator model KRFF507ESS on 7/18/2016. EVERY 6 months we have to defrost the pantry draw that get a build up of ice at the back of the draw. Today I have to defrost it once again. I tried to call kitchenaid and their message said to go to maytag.com. I went to maytag and put the model number in and it said number not found. Did some research and found whirlpool own kitchenaid and maytag along with many appliance manufactures. I then called whirlpool. I finally got a person who tried to help and wanted to set an appointment to have a certified technician come out. I had already been down this path with their microwave also purchased at the same time with a door switch that will not stay mounted. I ask the lady where I would find a schematic of the refrigerator. She directed me another website and there was nothing helpful on it. I said thank you, I can see you are not able to help and hung up. I started check the Internet and found hundreds of complaints about kitchenaid french door refrigerators with the same problem and many other problems. There are also several class action suits against them regarding refrigerators. My husband use to work in a environmental test lab at Phillco Ford which was a refrigerator designer. After reading all the trouble shoting items of which there are 6 of them and all the compaints, he believes although he can't get a schematic on it that the defrost cycles that occured several times a day are not long enough to clear the ice completely and that over time it builds up block the air flow. Could be the heater is not big enough, or the run time is not long enough. Surely Whirlpool has had enough complaints and employee engineers that could figure this out and own up to it.
Posted by JOAN LACAYO
on
In Sept 2014 I bought a beautiful Whirlpool refrigerator. After 18 months it stopped making ice and the fridge wouldn't stay cool. The small appliance store where I purchased it told me that they couldn't fix it because the part that had gone bad was inaccessible to repair. So they sent me a new one, supposedly the same model. However, I went from the top of the line in 2014 to the bottom in 2016. I then had to spend an additional $600.00 to get a fridge with all of the features I had in my original purchase. The same problem occurred with my new fridge and they serviced it 4 times in a year and a half. The technician told me it was a defect in the evaporator. The 5th time I called to have it serviced, they refused to come. Did I mention that every other month I was defrosting it? The small appliance store gave me my money back and said that they had lost too much money and couldn't guarantee that this would not happen again.
So, I went to Best Buy and got a Samsung. I needed something in a hurry because my daughter was getting married in a week and I had no fridge. When my new Samsung arrived, it was NOT the one I ordered. I had ordered the 33cu. and this was a 22cu. So, back to Best Buy. They told me that they didn't have the right size in stock and it would take up to 2 weeks to arrive. I paid an additional $400.00 for the Samsung and now the only available fridge of large capacity was a KitchenAide. Still not the size I needed, but close. Once again, more money, $400.00 more for the fridge and $150.00 more for the service agreement. Now in case you lost count, that is 6 refrigerators in 4 years. The new KitchenAide did not last 60 days. The evaporator is frozen solid and even after defrosting, it won't work. Best Buy Geek squad can't get here for a week and that is after being on the phone and computer for more than 4 hours!!!!!
I can't take it any more. What can I do to get a refrigerator that works?
It's a good thing they aren't in my line of work, because ALL of their patient's would DIE.
Posted by Robert Gifford
on
My mom purchased a Whirlpool model wrf993fifm00 refrigerator less than a year ago paid $2,000 for it and it's making horrible noises won't keep cold she 76 years old and it probably be her last big purchase that she will ever make everything I read about this refrigerator is horrible Whirlpool not standing behind their product what do we do
Posted by M Ward
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Bought a KitchenAid 29 cf frig, model #KFIS29PBMS00 on sale for $3000 in Oct. 2012. It worked as advertised until 2 months after the 5 yr warranty ran out Dec 2017. Then the ice maker stopped working & the unit on the inside top of the frig iced over. By Feb 2018, both the frig & freezer would no longer maintain a low enough temp. Items in the freezer started to defrost. Repair guy said the big items were the freezer seal needed replacement(lots of labor); the main electronic board was out($500 part) & likely one of the other two also. Estimated at least $1500 to repair! He said they are seeing lots with these problems & it would be best to just put it out at the curb & get another refrigerator. The 20 yr old Maytag in the garage still works fine. Of course this was built before Whirlpool bought them!
Posted by Nancy Drake
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I have a Kenmore Trio Bottom Freezer. Water leaks all over the floor from the freezer. Ice builds up on freezer floor. We have never hooked up our water/ice maker. The water has ruined our floor and cabinet next to the refrigerator. I'm sure there is mold under the tile squares. It's ridiculous that we have to remove the freezer basket once a week and get down on our knees and chip away ice on a $2300.00 plus refrigerator. We can not afford to have a repairman come out as my husband is disabled and we are on limited income. I contacted Sears via the internet and they instructed me to basically "defrost" my freezer by unplugging it so the ice could melt that is built up inside the unit. That is a temporary fix. This is a design flaw and they need to compensate and stand behind their product!
Posted by Lucy Nathan
on
Maytag MOD# MFF2558VEW4
SER# K14004921
I am SO tired of defrosting this damn thing to get it to work again.
It started failing immediately upon purchase, constantly leaking water onto the floor, the last few years it just stops cooling and needs to be completely defrosted, at first about 3 times a year and now about every two months.
It is only 7 years old, I cannot afford another one! I am a senior on disability, It took me 18 months to pay this off and now I need another one. I also don't like that you are expected to buy a warrantee , to me the company is saying you are going to have problems and you will need this warrantee . NOT happy!
Posted by Charles Russell
on
I purchased a KitchenAid model KFIS29PBMS00 French Door refrigerator in January of 2014, and have had repeated problems with it requiring on-site service and major repairs. This product replaced a 25-year-old model that still runs better than this one ever has for less than four years. The this one has now failed completely. Please advise the status of this class action, and provide instructions for joining the class. Thank you.
Posted by Char
on
Repairman scheduled for his 9th visit. (yes nine!) 1st appointment scheduled in May. In
Sept 2015 bought fancy model: KitchenAid KFIV29PCMS01. Have experienced: water on floor of refrigerator compartment, flashing strobe light while filling water glass and for several seconds after, no ice, high temperature in freezer, ice in fridge compartment, high temps in fridge (50 degree milk today.) Tech has replaced fan, 2 or 3 computer boards that apparently weren't communicating with one another, the condenser or evaporator or maybe both of those. Something that was made of aluminum, tech commented aluminum was not a good choice for that part as it would never hold up. Also the control panel situated in the door, tightened the freezer drawer and the freezer handle. Thing was loud from the start. That improved after the first visit but now it's louder than ever. Upsetting that the freezer needs to be emptied to do some of the work. Lots of food has been ruined.
Posted by Michelle Duran
on
My 5 month old refrigerator stopped cooling! They send out a technician one month ago each week I was told the part would be here.... Today they told me it was on back order. I have kids and can not afford to eat out all the time. Kitchen aid refused to send me a replacement, they were rude and very aggressive. They don't care about consumers! I hope they go out of business! $3500 dollars down the drain! NEVER AGAIN!
Posted by Harold Weiss
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I purchased refrigerator model # KFIS29BBMS00 on10-9-2012, and delivery was on 12-17-2012. The refrigerator came with a dented door. The replacement door came with a physically busted door actuator tab which was reordered. In the interim, the freezer had to have the sliding tracks replaced due to binding and grinding noise. After an extensive waiting period, the door was not available. In the spring or summer of 2013, Kitchenmaid replaced the refrigerator. In the spring of 2017, we noticed the ice discolored. The inside bottom of the ice bucket was rusted. Kitchenmaid replaced the ice bucket at no charge after I complained that there was no excuse for material physically touching ice should rust out. I was concerned for my family's health. In early June of 2017, the refrigerator began leaking water through the top inside of the refrigerator cavity. The repair company is having extreme difficulty in isolating and getting parts information. I felt that they hinted that they may not be able to repair the problem. After looking on the internet, I found that the problems that I am having is also happening to many others. As of today, my water feeding to my refrigerator is shut off to stop the internal leak. I had purchased all Kitchenaid appliances when we had our kitchen redone 4 years ago. The salesman said the appliances were Kitchenaid's top of the line.
Posted by Deanna L Frederiksen
on
Ours is also having problem with food freezing inside the refrigerator, water leaking out from under the refrigerator and today I went to open the freezer, on the bottom of the appliance, and it's frozen shut! Help! What can be done about this?!
Posted by Ashley
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I'm not in the US, but rather in Canada. I have this same fridge and have had problems since its been plugged in. My last call to them I told them I would make it my life goal to make sure no one buys these products from them again and still... Fridge not working properly. In Canada this fridge cost me over $3,000. It's a french door with bottom freezer as well. The technician has been here so often over these kitchen aid appliances (issues with microwave as well) that my kids call him uncle. I would gladly join any type of class action lawsuit against them and I would definitely spread the word here in Canada as I am confident there are plenty more with the damn fridge that's never worked properly.
Posted by Jesse
on
I have the same issue. Fridge died after less than 3 years, compressor dead. Can anybody tell me how I can join the lawsuit?
Posted by julio Pereiras
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I bought a Whirlpool refrigerator 7/22/15, Model #WRTS549SZDM . Warranty has expired. It is now making a very loud noise major ice buildup in the freezer . I called a repairman and was quoted a very high repair . Terrible costumer service with Whirlpool . I too think Whirlpool made this defective product & should be held accountable. Which year, makes, and models this lawsuit effects?
Posted by David and Angie
on
We bought KitchenAid model: KFIS29PBMS00, on April 25, 2015, the day we closed on our new home. On, November 22, 2016, freezer stopped and water pouring onto the floor. Called KitchenAid and no tech until, November 29, 2016. $800 plus food going bad that was bought for family Thanksgiving and they just didn't care. I began researching and found. Special Project # S71233 with technical service pointer # W10666205C. Immediate Attention on parts that need to be replaced, "Mandatory!" You can also find all the information on, www.applianceblog.com. Waiting on tech now so may send another comment once they tell me what the solution from them will be. Not going to tell them I know about this until they are completed. See how stupid they think I am. Warranty states 2 years on these parts. Lost my receipt. Called Sears and they were able to provide me a copy even though the location had closed where I purchased it from. Sure wish we could trade in like an automobile. Sad part is they are still selling these things without the mandatory parts being replaced.
Posted by estevan and rita santos
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would like to know how i can become apart of this law suit against whirlpool. i purchased a whirlpool gold side by side in 2011. it worked fine for a few years then started leaking and forming ice sheets in freezer. unbeknownst to us it was also leaking into our wood floors. now our wood floors are ruined and our freezer seems like its not keeping things frozen. would really like some help on this issue. please any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated. thank you.
Posted by Chris Hofmockel
on
Whirlpool gold edition ~$1200 French double door frid less than 2 years old the ice make already quit , the display on the deli drawer went out and frost builds up in the freezer. Please someone sue whirlpool for planned obsolescence.
Posted by Suzanne Aultman
on
Bought our Kitchen model kfis29pbms00 in 10/2012. The ice maker never worked properly and leaked everywhere and we were told that a kit hadn't been made yet to fix it. Then we got the kit in after a year and it didn't fix the problem so we've never had ice. Now 4 years to the month later the compressor is dying on the freezer. Such a frickin POS fridge! I want my money back!
Posted by K.J. Schug
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We purchased a $2,300 Whirlpool french door bottom freezer refrigerator in 2013. It was excessively noisy from the moment it was plugged in. The compressor and evaporator have failed and been replaced once, repaired a second time, and are now failing and scheduled to be replaced again. These repairs are required to meet the conditions of the extended warranty, but every independent repair person who has come to my house to fix the refrigerator has said the refrigerator has a design flaw and that we can expect this to keep happening. I did not bother to even hook up the ice-maker and water dispenser. I've had too much trouble with the basic cooling to risk adding to the burden of owning this appliance. Whirlpool, in my opinion, has failed to meet the standards of an "implied warranty" and "truth in advertising." I do believe Whirlpool needs to be held accountable to consumers.
Posted by L. Anderson
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I bought the whirlpool refrig/freezer model G16FARXXY07 (freezer at bottom) in Nov. 2012. Every couple of weeks, water would leak & settle on my kitchen floor and form a thick sheet of ice on the freezer bottom. I finally had a repairman come & drain the entire line, which is only a "temporary" fix. Now I'm told that I need to purchase a kit to have installed. I think Whirlpool made this DEFECTIVE product & should be held accountable!!!!!!!!
Posted by Sylvia McLin
on
This refrigerator is a piece oh junk.I have a 25 cu inch stainless steel french door freezer on the bottom which I was so proud that I bought and paid for with no interest. Water drips dowm into the freezer bottom. Guy came out and fixed it, 6mos later it drips from another corner of the freezer. I have a bad back and have to get on my hands and knees every week to get that ice out. This is just WRONG.
Posted by Tim Murray
on
Whirlpool refrigerator had ice maker fail in 6 months. Ice maker failed again in 6 months. Then 2 months out of warranty it quits cooling and had both evaporators replaced. 2 Months later third ice maker. Next day after repair compressor quits. 5 months after that refrigerator doesn't defrost and warms up. Repaired and 1 month later same problem. This time service says unit needs to be replaced.
Posted by Tim Murray
on
Whirlpool refrigerator had ice maker fail in 6 months. Ice maker failed again in 6 months. Then 2 months out of warranty it quits cooling and had both evaporators replaced. 2 Months later third ice maker. Next day after repair compressor quits. 5 months after that refrigerator doesn't defrost and warms up. Repaired and 1 month later same problem. This time service says unit needs to be replaced.
Posted by janice
on
Same thing but underneath everynight is water on top of tile seeping form under the floor. What is the way to contact the lawyers pleae?
Posted by Carolyn Ksiazek
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I bought my son a $ 2000.00 whirlpool refrigerator delivered around July 4th 2012 just over 2 years July 21 2014 the compressor went, which would be a 800.00 repair. With many phone calls and emails Whirlpool gave us the compressor we had to pay the labor. Its June 2016 and the new compressor is going ! Thats a product defect that they should fix ! Now what do we do?
Posted by Marcia L. Pelham
on
We had/have similar issue with water running down from ice maker inside freezer door. Made service call as fridge was still under warranty -- burned out circuit replaced. Everything fine for three days, then water all over the floor from freezer affecting the wood floor. We finally disconnected the water line to freeze altogether. No water problem, but regularly buy bags of ice!
Posted by Paula Frederickson
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Our freezer kept filling up with ice. We do not use the automatic ice maker. I am curious as to which year, makes, and models this lawsuit effects?
Posted by Wayne
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I choked on a piece that I thought was an ice cube and it was a pice of plastic from my icemaker the fridge leaked water and ruined my kitchen floor and it freezes food instead of keeping it cool its a maytag french door refrigerator 2009 purchased and problems began in 201p and in 2015 was when I choked on the icemaker piece
Posted by Tarsha E. Harris
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My freezer side on my whirlpool has/is acting up again. One day the water to the ice maker freezes up & one day it is running down the wall inside the freezer!
Posted by Louise Kling
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Same Problem had the repair man out here 2 times can not be fixed he said a issue with the refrigerator Freezes up solid self defrosting one and still the same/Have a bowl to catch the water running down the back of fridge inside catching the water for years now. Dump it weekly bowl of frozen solid water from defrost. A problem since the very beginning. Also had to get a part for inside the freezer that the ice got so thick had to re place it cracked and broke it under pressure. Also called whirlpool 2 times said they would send someone and never did. Still doing this all the time If no bowl it runs all over inside the fridge all in the bottom then all over the floor.
Posted by Dennis Hull
on
My Whirlpool refrigerator compressor failed after only being 4 years old. In my 75 years on this earth, I have NEVER had to replace a compressor in a fridge! They are sealed and should run for atleast 20 years! I think I will join this class action suit
Posted by PATRICIA NOVINGER
on
Do we have make, models, years?? I had one that did exactly this. The fridge did not last as long as a fridge would be expected. I replaced it. It did leak and stop cooling. I hated this fridge and just replaced it.
Posted by Linda Greaves
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I have a Whirlpool refriigerator and i'm having the same issues
Posted by Linda Graeves
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I have a Whirlpool refriigerator and i'm having the same issues
Posted by Lester and Linda Laris
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My Kitchen aid keeps over cooling then it won't cool down at all. One day it has ice forming all over the back of the fridge. Then it stops making ice. Then sometimes the ice is to wet. Resulting in water all over the floor. We had to have a repair man out about 3 months after we got the fridge. And a few times after that.
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