If your fridge is acting up, the first call you make might not need to be to a repair company.
Some refrigerator problems are covered by a safety recall, which means the manufacturer has already agreed to fix them for free. Before you book any appliance repair visit, including one with us, it’s worth doing a refrigerator recall check first. It takes a few minutes, and it could save you money or flag a real safety risk.
How do I check if my refrigerator has been recalled?
Find the model and serial number on the label inside your fridge, usually on a side wall of the fresh food compartment. Then search your brand and model on the CPSC refrigerator recall list. If a notice matches, compare your serial number or date code to the affected range. A matching unit qualifies for the manufacturer’s free remedy.
That’s the short version. Here’s how to do each step without missing anything.
Why older fridges deserve a refrigerator recall check
Recalls don’t cover a whole brand. They cover specific models built during specific date ranges, so two fridges that look identical can have different answers.
Recall notices also don’t always reach the person who owns the fridge today. If your refrigerator came with the house, the condo, or the two-flat you rent, the original buyer may have been the only one who heard about it.
Older recalls can still matter, too. In 2009, for example, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced an expanded Maytag refrigerator recall after reports that a failing relay, the part that switches on the compressor, could overheat and create a fire hazard. The fix offered was a free in-home repair arranged through the manufacturer.
If you own an older unit, that’s exactly the kind of notice you want to know about before paying for repairs.
Step 1: Find your model and serial number
Every refrigerator has a rating label with its model number and serial number. Common spots include:
- Inside the fresh food compartment, on the upper left or right side wall
- Near or behind the crisper drawers, low on the side wall
- On the ceiling of the fresh food section, near the light
- Behind the kick plate at the bottom front of the fridge
- On the back of the unit, which is common on compact and retro-style models
Snap a clear photo of the label with your phone. You’ll need both numbers, and the photo saves you from reading them off again later.
If the label is on the back, don’t pull a full-size fridge away from the wall by yourself. They’re heavy, and the water line behind some models is easy to damage.
Step 2: Search the CPSC recall list
The CPSC refrigerator recalls page is the official place to finish your refrigerator recall check. Search by brand and model number, then open any notice that looks like a match.
Read the details carefully. Most notices list the affected model numbers along with a serial number range or a manufacturing date range. A matching model number alone isn’t enough. Your serial number or date code is what confirms whether your specific unit is included.
A few other tips:
- Check the manufacturer’s site too. Most major brands keep a recalls or safety notice page on their support site.
- Try Recalls.gov if you want to search several federal agencies at once.
- Sign up for CPSC recall emails so future notices come to you instead of the other way around.
One thing to know: SaferProducts.gov is a database of consumer incident reports, not recalls. Seeing your model mentioned there doesn’t mean it has been recalled.
Step 3: What to do if your fridge is on the list
If your model and serial number both match a notice, follow its instructions in this order:
- Do what the notice says about use. Some recalls ask you to unplug the fridge right away. Others only ask you to stop using one part, like the ice maker.
- Contact the manufacturer using the phone number or website listed in the notice. The remedy is free, whether it’s a repair, a replacement part, a replacement unit, or a refund.
- Don’t take it back to the store unless the notice tells you to. Recall remedies usually go through the manufacturer, not the retailer.
- Escalate if you get stuck. If the company isn’t responding, the CPSC has a recall complaint form on every notice page, and you can call its hotline at 800-638-2772.
Keep notes on who you spoke to and when. It makes follow-up calls much easier.
What Dara does when a recall turns up
We’d rather you complete a refrigerator recall check before booking than pay us for a fix the manufacturer already owes you. That’s the honest reason this post exists.
If one of our certified technicians finds that your refrigerator matches an active recall during a visit, here’s what happens:
- We stop and tell you. You’ll see the notice and the reason your unit qualifies before we go any further.
- We point you to the free remedy. We’ll help you find the right manufacturer contact so you can start the claim.
- We don’t repair the recalled defect for a fee. If the problem is covered by the recall, that repair belongs to the manufacturer.
If your fridge has a separate problem that the recall doesn’t cover, we can still help with that. Honest appliance repair starts with telling you when you don’t need us.
If your recall check comes back clean
No match is good news, but it doesn’t mean the problem will fix itself. Common signs your fridge needs a professional include:
- It runs constantly but isn’t keeping food cold
- Food in the fresh food section is freezing
- Water is pooling under or inside the unit
- The door seal is torn or not closing tight
One exception to “book a visit when it’s convenient”: if you notice a burning smell, smoke, or sparking, unplug the fridge if you can do so safely and keep it unplugged until it has been inspected.
When you’re ready, our refrigerator repair service covers all major brands across Chicago and nearby suburbs. If the issue is in a standalone freezer, see our freezer repair page instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a refrigerator recall cost me anything?
No. The manufacturer provides the remedy at no charge. The notice explains whether that means a repair, a replacement, or a refund.
Do I need my original receipt?
Usually not. Your model and serial number are typically what prove your unit is included. The recall notice lists exactly what the manufacturer needs from you.
My fridge is over 10 years old. Can a recall still apply?
It can. Older recall notices stay posted on CPSC.gov. Contact the manufacturer listed in the notice to confirm whether the remedy is still available for your unit.
How often should I repeat a refrigerator recall check?
Once a year is a sensible habit, and anytime the fridge starts acting strangely. Signing up for CPSC recall emails means you won’t have to remember.
Can I keep using my fridge while I wait for the remedy?
Follow the notice. Some recalls say to unplug immediately, while others only ask you to stop using a specific feature, like the ice maker or water dispenser.
Will Dara still come out if my fridge is recalled?
Yes, for problems the recall doesn’t cover. For the recalled defect itself, we’ll point you to the manufacturer’s free remedy rather than charge you for the same fix.
Start with the free option
Take a few minutes today for a refrigerator recall check. If your fridge is on the list, the manufacturer handles the fix at no cost. If it isn’t, and something still isn’t right, book a visit online or contact our team and we’ll get your appliance repair scheduled.
