Maytag electric range coil element recall — On February 9, 2006, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maytag Corporation announced a voluntary recall of certain electric ranges sold under the Maytag and Jenn-Air brand names. The affected ranges have surface coil heating elements that can overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers.
Recall Details
- CPSC Recall Number: 06-088
- Date Announced: February 9, 2006
- Units Affected: Approximately 36,700 electric ranges
- Affected Models: Maytag MER5530, MER5550, MER5570, MER5875 and select Jenn-Air JER8885 models manufactured between January 2003 and December 2005
- Manufacturing Period: January 2003 through December 2005
Hazard Description
The coil surface elements on the affected electric ranges can overheat beyond their intended temperature rating, even when the control knob is set to a low or medium heat setting. This overheating occurs due to a defect in the element’s internal resistance wire, which can develop a hot spot that concentrates heat in one section of the coil. When this happens, the element can glow red-hot at a localized point, igniting nearby combustible materials such as dish towels, paper products, or plastic utensils placed on or near the cooktop surface. Additionally, the excessive heat can damage the drip pan and the porcelain cooktop surface beneath the element, potentially creating a secondary fire path.
Incidents Reported
At the time of the recall, Maytag had received 76 reports of coil elements overheating, including 8 reports of fires. Three incidents involved minor property damage to surrounding countertops and cabinetry. No injuries were reported at the time of the recall announcement.
What You Should Do
- Check your range model number on the rating label located behind the storage drawer or on the door frame and compare it to the affected models listed on the CPSC recall page.
- If your range is covered, stop using the surface coil elements immediately — the oven portion may still be used safely.
- Contact Maytag at 1-800-688-9900 to schedule a free in-home repair, during which a technician will replace all four surface coil elements with updated parts at no cost.
- Never leave surface elements unattended during cooking, and keep all combustible materials away from the cooktop surface.
Contact Information
Contact Maytag (Whirlpool Corporation) at 1-800-688-9900 or visit maytag.com/support. For additional recall information, visit the CPSC website and search for recall #06-088.