Amana

November 3, 1994 Release # 95-023 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

November 22, 1978 Release # 78-094 Amana Freezers WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 22)-- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa, today announced that 96,000 owners of Amana side-by-side refrigerator-freezers made between February 1969 and September 1974, have been contacted by the company and given instructions for modifying the units to eliminate any possibility of shock hazard. In its first announcement of the possible defect made jointly with Amana in August 1977, CPSC described the voluntary repair program for about 240,000 units. According to Amana, it has exhausted all available lists of consumers to contact concerning the modification program and wants the remaining owners to get in touch with the company immediately. The Amana models to be modified are SR17, SR19, SR22, SR25, SD19, SD22, and SD25, whose serial numbers begin with the letters IS, E, B, L, A or C. The appliances in question can be positively identified by checking the model and serial number on the serial plate located behind the removable black grille at the lower front of the unit. The possibility of a shock hazard is caused by a defective hinge wire assembly which powers the butter-keeper heater and anti-sweat heater. CPSC has learned of 41 shock incidents to date. Anyone owning one of the 144,000 units that have not yet been modified should immediately furnish model, serial number, name and address to Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa 52204. If consumers are unable to contact Amana directly they should call, with the same information, CPSC's toll-free hotline at 800/638-2772

Refrigerator Repaired by Amana Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowatoday announced voluntary corrective action program involving approximately 240,000 Amana side-by-side refrigerator/freezers manufactured between February 1969 and September 1974. Those refrigerator/freezers to be repaired are Amana model numbers SR 17, SR 19, SR 22, SR 25, SD 19, SD 22, and SD 25. The units can be further identified by checking the serial numbers on the serial plate located behind the removable black grill at the front of the refrigerator/freezer. Those serial numbers beginning with the letters S, E, B, L, A, or C are affected by this program. These refrigerator/freezers contain a hinge wire assembly in both of the doors which powers the heaters to the butter keeper and the anti-sweat device. The hinge wire may wear from frequent door openings causing contact between the bare wire and the inside of the door. There is a possibility that someone contacting or grasping both of the doors at the same time will be severely shocked. Forty-one shock incidents have been reported to the Commission. Amana is identifying and contacting owners of these refrigerator/freezers by letter in order to advise that modifications to eliminate this potential hazard should be made by the owner without delay. Until the written instructions are received consumers owning this product are advised to contact Amana through its toll-free number 800/553-6333 or write directly to Amana at: Amana Refrigeration Inc., Amana, Iowa 52204. In the event that Amana can not be reached, consumers are advised to contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Comnission's toll-free HOTLINE at 800/638-2772. Important Information About The Safety Of Your Side-By-Side Refrigerator Dear Amana Owner: Amana products have earned an excellent reputation for quality and safety. This comes in part through continued testing and monitoring of performance both in our plants and in the homes of our customers. However, some of the units, we have discovered, have had the wiring installed incorrectly. You may have one of these units. Excessive wear in these units can result in the electrical wires wearing out in the freezer or refrigerator door. Should this happen in either door, you may receive a severe electrical shock if you touch both door handles at the same time. The units involved were produced from February 1969 through September 1974, models beginning with the letters SR or SD. These are further identified by the letters S, E, B, L, A or C preceding the serial numbers. Our records indicate that you have one of these units. Please take the following steps at once. You should have no reluctance to perform these steps as they do not pose any hazard whatsoever. If you take these steps, you will eliminate any possibility of the shock hazard described above. In taking these steps, refer to the illustration. Disconnecting Hinge Wires 1. Remove Black Grille. 2. Unplug each plug. 3. Install Black plugs enclosed. 4. Add safety sticker to each wire. 5. Replace black grille.