Minifridge recall expands to 964,000 Frigidaires after fire reports

A Canadian appliance distributor has significantly expanded a recall of Frigidaire-branded minifridges, now affecting nearly one million units across the United States, following multiple reports of fires and property damage.

Curtis International announced Thursday it is recalling an additional 330,000 minifridges, bringing the total recall to approximately 964,000 units. The expansion comes after an initial recall of 634,000 minifridges last year due to serious safety concerns.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the recalled products contain defective electrical components that can short circuit and ignite the plastic housing. This malfunction creates a substantial fire hazard and potential burn risk for consumers.

The newly added model to the recall list, EFMIS121, was sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide for approximately $30. Officials report that this particular model has been linked to at least six documented incidents of fires resulting in property damage.

The previous recall, announced in 2023, covered models EFMIS129, EFMIS137, EFMIS149, and EFMIS175, which were sold through major retailers including Walmart and Amazon at prices ranging from $36 to $40. Those models were associated with 26 incidents of overheating, melting, or catching fire, and resulted in two reported cases of smoke inhalation injuries.

All affected products were manufactured between January 2020 and December 2023, encompassing a significant production period for these popular compact refrigerators. The widespread nature of the recall highlights substantial quality control issues spanning multiple years of production.

Industry analysts note that this recall represents one of the larger appliance safety actions in recent years, particularly significant for the compact refrigerator market, which has seen growing demand among college students, office workers, and those living in smaller residential spaces.

The CPSC and Curtis International are urging consumers to immediately stop using all recalled minifridges to prevent further incidents. To facilitate the recall process, the company has established a specific protocol for affected customers. Owners must disconnect the appliance, cut its power cord, write “recall” in permanent marker on the front door, and submit photographs to Curtis International to qualify for a refund.

This incident underscores the complexity of modern appliance supply chains. While the Frigidaire brand is owned by Swedish multinational Electrolux Group, Curtis International operates under licensing agreements to manufacture and distribute certain Frigidaire-branded products. This arrangement, common in the appliance industry, can sometimes create challenges in quality assurance and safety oversight.

Consumer safety advocates point out that compact refrigerators often face less rigorous safety testing than full-sized models, despite being placed in potentially vulnerable locations such as dorm rooms, bedrooms, and small apartments where fires could be particularly dangerous.

The expanded recall comes amid increased scrutiny from the CPSC regarding fire hazards in household appliances. The agency has taken a more aggressive stance on product safety in recent years, particularly with electronic devices that remain plugged in for extended periods.

Retailers involved in selling the affected products are cooperating with the recall effort. Target, the exclusive retailer for the newly recalled EFMIS121 model, is expected to assist in notifying customers and facilitating returns.

Consumers seeking additional information about the recall can visit Curtis International’s website or contact the company directly to determine if their unit is affected and to initiate the refund process.