Lawsuit Investigation: Refrigerator Water Line Leaks

The attorneys are investigating whether a defect is causing certain refrigerator water lines to crack and leak. As part of their investigation, they need to hear from consumers who had issues with their water lines to learn more about the problem and to help determine whether a class action can be filed.

What Could Be Causing the Water Lines to Crack?

It is suspected that the lines can fail due to a fracture in the “throat” or “neck” of the elbow fittings. This can allow for water to leak and cause a number of problems, including issues with the fridge’s icemaker and damage to adjacent cabinets, walls and flooring.

What Problems Have Consumers Reported?

The following is a sampling of complaints posted online from consumers who had issues with leaking refrigerator water lines [sic throughout, emphasis ours]:

I have a Kenmore Elite tri door about 6 years old we got brand new. I have been fighting a water leak for a while now. There is a white plastic water line running from the top to bottom on the left side (when looking from front). For no reason it developed a pin hole leak and would only leak when the door water dispenser was in use. There is no door ice as it is a seperate unit in the freezer.”
— pittmike, Kenmore customer, ApplianceBlog.com

My Kenmore fridge model 106.54609300 is leaking water out of the waterline inlet hole in the top rear where the waterline goes into the top of the unit to supply the ice maker. The leak only occurs when the ice maker trys to cycle. It is not making any ice.”
— Manage My Life, Kenmore customer, ShopYourWay.com

Our icemaker leaks water near the front of the refrigerator creating a ice floe in this area of the ice cube tray and fusing all the ice together as water reaches the tray itself. It is a slow leak, but annoying. We did make a previous repair to the icemaker- the water inlet tube in the back of the freezer was clogged with ice and the water tubing on the back of the refrigerator was disconnecting itself (due to intense pressue) and spewing water all over the outside of the refrigerator and cabinets in it's vicinity. We removed the inside tube from the back and dislodged the ice- problem solved. Now we have a new leak.”
— Laura D., JennAir/Maytag customer, ApplianceBlog.com

We have a Whirlpool refridgerator/freezer (model# ED5HLAXMQ10) that is 3 1/2 years old. It is a side-by-side model. Recently it is producing a constant water drip into the ice maker and the drip won't stop. The ice maker will fill up and make cubes, but the water keeps dripping into the ice maker and causes a huge mess. When we turn the main water supply line off, the drip stops. But when the water supply is back on, there is a drip that keeps coming from the black spout inside of the freezer. This will keep dripping into the ice maker even when the ice maker is full. The ice maker appears fine. I think there is some problem in the water line and black spout.”
— cdippold, Whirlpool customer, ApplianceBlog.com

Twice in the last few years i have replaced the icemaker assembly and the fix has been good. Today, however, water was overflowing from the icemaker (filled with frzen ice). I quickly unplugged the refrig and removed the icemake, but the water keeps dripping from the black tube at the top. even unplugged for an hour, still dripping. I've turned off the water to the machine, which stopped the drip, but now need a fix...”
— slowtrain, KitchenAid customer, ApplianceBlog.com

How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

A lawsuit could give consumers the chance to seek compensation for repair and replacement costs, as well as property damage stemming from a leaking water line. A successful case could also force the manufacturer to find a permanent fix for the problem.

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