Kenmore dehumidifiers recall 13-238

Kenmore dehumidifiers

Sears Reannounces Recall of Kenmore Dehumidifiers Due to Additional Reports of Fires, Burn, Low Consumer Response Rate

CPSC published a recall notice for Kenmore dehumidifiers from Kenmore on July 17, 2013. CPSC identifies this hazard: The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. The official remedy states: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the Recall Fulfillment Center to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier. In lieu of a gift card, consumers may request a check for the refund amount. All consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.

What to check on the product label

Compare every letter, number, space, and suffix. A similar-looking product may not be included in this recall.

Affected model numbers

35-PINT50-PINT70-PINT

Additional identifying details

The model number can be found on the right side of the interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed.

Why it was recalled

The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents and injuries

Sears has received seven additional incident reports of shorting and fire associated with the dehumidifiers, including one incident with a severe burn to a consumer's foot and three fires resulting in more than $300,000 of property damage.

Official remedy

Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the Recall Fulfillment Center to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier. In lieu of a gift card, consumers may request a check for the refund amount. All consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.

Remedy type: Refund

Product and sales details

Brand: Kenmore
Manufacturer: LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China
Recall number: 13-238
Units: About 795,000 (previously recalled in August 2012)
Manufactured in: China
Sold at / sales period: Sears and Kmart stores nationwide and Sears.com and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009 for between $140 and $220.
Importer: LG Electronics USA Inc. and Sears