Whirlpool Settlement Resolves Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Fridge Frost-Buildup Defect

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A settlement has been reached to resolve a proposed class action lawsuit that claimed certain Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Maytag three-door refrigerators suffer from a defrost heating system defect that can cause a buildup of frost and ice on the evaporator in the refrigeration compartment, impeding the unit’s ability to cool food properly.

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The Whirlpool settlement, preliminarily approved by the court on December 20, 2024, covers all individuals who bought a new qualifying refrigerator, acquired a qualifying fridge as part of the purchase or remodel of a home, or received a qualifying refrigerator as a gift, from Whirlpool Corp. or its authorized resellers in the United States and its territories. 

The court-approved website for the Whirlpool settlement can be found at CoolingSettlement.com. 

To check whether your Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Maytag fridge is covered by the class action settlement, enter the fridge’s serial number on this page. A qualifying fridge’s model number and serial number can be found on the tag on the inside frame of the refrigerator door.

According to the amended settlement agreement, fridges that qualify for the class action settlement are Whirlpool-manufactured Maytag, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid or Whirlpool-branded three-door bottom-mount French door refrigerators equipped with a dual evaporator cooling system. Covered fridges, which were manufactured from 2012 through 2019, bear the model numbers KFIS29BB**, KFIS29PBM**, KFIV29PCM**, KRFF507E**, KRFF707E**, MFT2776DEE**, MFT2776FEZ**, MFT2778EE**, MFT2976AE**, WRF757SDE**, WRF767SDEM**, WRF989SDA**, and WRF990SLA** and are within the serial number range K212*** to K911***. 

To file a Whirlpool settlement claim form, head to this page. Class members have the option to submit a claim form for past frost clog issues that occurred on or before January 31, 2025 or for future frost clog issues that occur after January 31 of this year. 

Whirlpool fridge settlement claim forms for past frost clog issues must be submitted online or by mail by June 18, 2025. 

Related Reading: Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag French Door Fridges Suffer From Evaporator-Freezing Defect, Lawsuit Says 

The class action settlement will provide class members who file a timely, valid claim form with cash reimbursement for documented, out-of-pocket expenses to repair or replace a qualifying refrigerator’s evaporator due to frost clog issues that occur within eight years of the product’s manufacture date, or to replace a qualifying fridge after experiencing two or more frost clog issues within six years of the fridge’s manufacture, the settlement website shares. 

Class members who paid out of pocket for repairs within three years of their refrigerator’s manufacture may claim reimbursement of up to $300 per qualifying repair, the settlement agreement shares. Consumers may claim reimbursement of up to $225 for qualifying repairs within four to six years of manufacture, or up to $150 for repairs within seven to eight years of manufacture. 

For qualifying fridges that were replaced one to three years out from their date of manufacture, the settlement will provide class members with 75 percent cash reimbursement of the original purchase price if, before paying out-of-pocket, the claimant first contacted Whirlpool to request a replacement. If they did not contact Whirlpool about a replacement fridge, the settlement will provide 50 percent cash reimbursement, the website states. 

For qualifying fridges that were replaced four to six years out from their date of manufacture, the settlement will provide eligible class members with 45 percent cash reimbursement of the original purchase price if, before paying out-of-pocket, the class member contacted Whirlpool to request a replacement. The settlement will pay 25 percent cash reimbursement in the event the class member did not contact Whirlpool about a replacement, the site says.

Per the website, Whirlpool refrigerator settlement claim forms will be accepted until December 31, 2028 for frost clog issues that occur in the future. Claim forms for post-notice frost clog issues must be submitted within 90 days of completion of service for the problem or the purchase of a replacement fridge, the website specifies. 

Settlement class members can receive one settlement benefit for each qualifying refrigerator they purchased or acquired, and a separate claim form must be submitted for each individual product.

“Class Members who previously received compensation or a voluntary benefit from Whirlpool for a Frost Clog Issue will have the amount of their reimbursement reduced by the amount of the compensation or benefit already received,” the settlement website shares. 

The plaintiffs first notified the court of the deal with Whirlpool Corporation in August 2024. A final approval hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2025. It is typically after the court has granted final approval to a class action settlement, and any appeals have been resolved, that benefits are distributed to class members. 

Did you know that some class action settlements require no proof to submit a claim? Check out the latest current class action settlements.