Whirlpool Recalls Glass Stovetops That Can Turn Themselves On
Self-cleaning ovens are one thing, but a cooktop that spontaneously turns itself on? That’s a recall.
Whirlpool and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have recalled over 26,000 glass cooktops for just that reason. The devices were sold under the Whirlpool, KitchenAid and JennAir brand names.
The stovetops were manufactured between December 2016 and July 2019. A complete list of affected model numbers is available on the CPSC Website. (The brand name is printed on the cooktop and the model number and serial numbers are printed on the underside of the cooktop.) All totaled, 17 models, which were sold at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Best Buy and other home improvement and home appliance stores, are impacted.
Consumers are urged to contact Whirlpool to arrange a free installation of the replacement cooktops and being advised, in the meantime, to turn the unit off at a circuit breaker level and ensure that flammable items and empty cookware are not left on the stove.
To date, Whirlpool has received 133 reports of incidents related to the flaw. On four occasions, this resulted in items catching fire, with one of those resulting in property damage. Two minor burns have also been reported.
Beyond the usual issues with food and autos, it has been a noteworthy year for recalled products. In July, Gillette recalled over 87,000 razors for being too sharp. Target recalled 90,000 USB charging cables in May, just one month after it had to recall a half million toys that presented a choking hazard.
More must-read stories from Fortune:
—Change the World 2019: See which companies made the list
—Corporate America’s most fascinating standoff: The accountant who exposed Madoff vs. GE
—America’s CEOs seek a new purpose for the corporation
—How the world’s biggest companies stay ahead
—What the world’s biggest motorcycle rally reveals about the state of festival food
Subscribe to Fortune’s CEO Daily newsletter for the latest business news and analysis.