Norcold Recall, Norcold Refrigerator Fires, Norcold Recall Information, Refrigerator Fire, RV Fires, Deaths

Norcold issued a voluntary recall in 2002 to fix a potentially dangerous condition that can result fire, serious property damage, serious injury or even death. Norcold refrigerator 2-door models on recall include model numbers, N841, N821,N641, N621 and 1082 found in RVs made from about 1999-2000 with Cooling Unit Serial Numbers 1038000 to 1099000 AND

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2001
Release # 02-021 Refrigerator Recall Hotline: (800) 767-9101
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051

CPSC, Norcold Inc. Announce Recall of Refrigerators

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Norcold Inc., of Sidney, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling 360 free-standing, combination gas and electric refrigerators. Tubing in the cooling unit can crack and leak flammable gas, presenting a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Norcold has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The recalled refrigerators are white, with black trim on the front, and have the Norcold logo on the bottom left corner of the control panel. The refrigerators have cooling unit serial numbers within the range of 1038000 to 1099000, which can be found on the black canister at the bottom right of the back of the refrigerator.

Specialty retailers nationwide sold the refrigerators from May 1999 through January 2000 for about $900.

Consumers should disconnect the electricity to these refrigerators and call Norcold toll-free at (800) 767-9101 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to schedule a free, in-home repair.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC, Norcold Inc. Announce Recall of Refrigerators

Smaller Gas Absorption Models

Model Serial Numbers

442 01000-08255

443 01000-11972

452 01000-14302

453 01000-05418 54195-54208

462 00001-120909

463 00001-05210

482 00001-24398

483 00001-03518

EV452 01002-10327

EV462 01000-01283

EV463 01266-01283

EV482 01000-01204 18827-18828 89158

EV483 01050-01319

874EG2 01000-03988

874EG3 01000-02347

875EG2 01000-24711

875EG3 01000-05696

Due to a potential safety defect, Norcold has voluntarily recalled the smaller gas/electric refrigerator models, built from Jan. 1987-May 1995, listed above.

If your refrigerator model's serial number is above, it requires immediate service.Nor cold Refrigerator model and serial numbers can be viewed by looking on the inside right of your refrigerator cabinet.

Continued propane gas mode operation of a refrigerator under this recall could result in a fire.

If you own an affected model:

1. Immediately switch your refrigerator's controls to AC power (or DC power, if available, while in transit). No LP gas power operation should occur because it could create an unsafe condition.

2. Contact a Dealer/Service Center to arrange a service date soon. The gas valve in your refrigerator will be replaced at no charge.

Call Norcold at 1-800-667-3005 with any questions.

Some customers have previously had a heater element in your cooling unit replaced - we now want to replace the entire cooling unit in your refrigerator.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause, we do want to assure your refrigerator provides you years of safe, reliable and dependable service.

An affected refrigerator without a leak must still be serviced to have its cooling unit replaced to prevent any potential future problem.

Persons owning one of the affected models should:

1. Immediately switch the refrigerator's controls to the manual mode and select LP gas as its method of operation.

2. Open the outside access panel and unplug the electric cord from the refrigerator.

3. Contact a Dealer/Service Center to arrange a service date as soon as possible. The cooling unit will be replaced. There is no charge for parts and labor.

4. Call Norcold at 1-800-767-9101: with any questions; to obtain the location of the nearest Nor cold Service Center; or if the Dealer/Service Center fails to, or is unable to, remedy this defect without charge or within a reasonable time.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause, and want to assure that your refrigerator provides you years of safe, reliable and dependable service.

An affected refrigerator without a leak must still be serviced to have its cooling unit replaced to prevent any potential future problem.

Persons owning one of the affected models should:

1. Immediately switch the refrigerator's controls to the manual mode and select LP gas as its method of operation.

2. Open the outside access panel and unplug the electric cord from the refrigerator.

3. Contact a Dealer/Service Center to arrange a service date as soon as possible. The cooling unit will be replaced. There is no charge for parts and labor.

4. Call Norcold at 1-800-767-9101: with any questions; to obtain the location of the nearest Norcold Service Center; or if the Dealer/Service Center fails to, or is unable to, remedy this defect without charge or within a reasonable time.

Models � Built � Serial Numbers (found on the ID Label inside the refrigerator)

322/323 � August, 1992-August, 1999 � lower than 734882

N260/N260.3� April, 1998-August, 1999 � lower than 738527

N300/N300.3� April, 1998-August, 1999� lower than 738626

Persons owning one of these models should:

1. Turn the manual shut-off valve to OFF and operate it only on AC or DC power until the defect is repaired. (No gas leak can occur during AC or DC operation.)

2. Contact a Dealer/Service Center to arrange a service date as soon as possible. A remedy kit, and the labor to install it, is free to the consumer.

3. Call Norcold at 1-800-767-9101: with any questions; to obtain the location of the nearest Norcold Service Center; if the Dealer/Service Center fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge or unable to service the refrigerator within a reasonable time.

LEGAL ACTIONS FOR SERIOUS INJURIES & DEATHS:

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED or HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A RV FIRE IN WHICH YOU BELIEVE THAT THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE STARTED THE FIRE, THEN CALL US TO TALK IMMEDIATELY AT 1-800-883-9858.

DO NOT DELAY. AN IMMEDIATE FIRE INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE PRESERVATION MUST BE STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. TALK TO A LAWYER NOW. CALL US FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION. TOLL FREE 1-800-883-9858

453 01000-05418
54195-54208

EV482 01000-01204
18827-18828
89158