Must-Know Info About the Whirlpool Microwave Hood Combination Recall

Like refrigerators, ovens and stoves, microwaves are a standard appliance that can be found in most kitchens around the country. While kitchens in many older homes feature stand-alone microwaves, manufacturers have found ways to help integrate this appliance into other parts of a kitchen’s design – like above the range, or combined into units with the hood or conventional oven. Because it is so convenient in the design stages, it can be extremely inconvenient when problems arise with these combined units. If your kitchen boasts a Whirlpool Microwave Hood Combination, keep reading to find out more information about they have recalled 10 models of this type of unit and what to do if yours is considered to be part of the recall program.

When was this appliance recalled?

Whirlpool Corporation issued this recall in cooperation with the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission (U.S. CPSC) on August 25, 2016.

This recall affects which Whirlpool microwaves?

The affected units are all microwave hood combinations that were manufactured by Whirlpool Corporation between January of 2014 and April of 2016 in China. The units were sold by home improvement, home appliance, and retail stores like Best Buy, HH Greg, Lowes, Sears and others across the country during this time period, as well as in Mexico. Consumers will have purchased these units for prices ranging from $370 to $470. These microwave hood combinations were also installed by builders in homes constructed or remodeled during this time period.

About 15,200 units from 10 different models fall under this recall notice. Model numbers include:

• WMH53520CS
• WMH53520CW
• WMH53520CB
• WMH53520CE
• WMH53520CH
• WMH73521CS
• WMH73521CW
• WMH73521CB
• WMH73521CE
• WMH73521CH

Why are these microwave hood combinations being recalled?

The recall was issued because a fire hazard created during the use of some microwaves hood combinations. It is possible that internal arcing can ignite one of the internal plastic components and start a fire inside the unit. 

How many of instances of this hazard have been reported?

According to the U.S. CPSC, there have been five reported incidents related to this particular hazard. Three of these incidents included a fire as part of the report. Two of those incidents involved the surrounding cabinets catching fire. One of them involved a house fire.Additionally, smoke was reported in one incident and a burning odor in another.

Have there been any injuries as a result of these incidents?

As of the time that this post was written, the U.S. CPSC’s notice on this recall states there have been no injuries recorded in the reports associated with the incidents noted above. However, it is possible that other instances have been reported that include injury in the time between when this was written and when it is posted.

Have there been any similar recalls?

Whirlpool Corporation issued a similar recall on microwave hood combinations, but not in the fifteen years. The last time they recalled microwave hood combinations was in the fall of 2001, when they recalled 1.8 million microwave hood combinations because of an issue where the units overheated and caused fires. Seven incidents were reported. While there were no reported injuries, the fires resulted in extensive damage to the properties they occurred on.

For more information, see the U.S. CPSC notice for the 2001 recall here – “CPSC, Whirlpool Announce Recall of Microwave-Hood Combinations”

Other microwave recalls in the last twenty years include Samsung Over-the-Range Microwaves in 2009 due to a shock hazard, Sunbeam Over-the-Range Microwaves and General Electric Microwave Combo Wall Ovens in 2007 due to a fire hazard, and Thermador Brand Combination Thermal/Microwave Ovens in 2001 (also a fire hazard).

Link to the Samsung Over-the-Range Microwaves recall notice: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2009/samsung-over-the-range-microwaves-recalled-due-to-shock-hazard

More information on the Sunbeam Over-the-Range Microwaves recall notice: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2007/Petters-Consumer-Brands-Recalls-Sunbeam-Over-the-Range-Microwaves-for-Fire-Hazard

Link to the General Electric Microwave Combo Wall Ovens recall notice:  https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2007/Petters-Consumer-Brands-Recalls-Sunbeam-Over-the-Range-Microwaves-for-Fire-Hazard

More information about the Thermador Brand Combination Thermal/Microwave Ovens recall notice: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2001/CPSC-BSH-Home-Appliances-CorpAnnounce-Recall-of-ThermalMicrowave-Ovens

What are the remedy options being offered by the manufacturer at this time?

The only remedy option Whirlpool Corporation has made available for the recall program is replacement of the affected unit. If yours is one of these, contact Whirlpool Corporation about securing a replacement for the affected microwave hood combination unit in your home.

How do I verify the status of my unit?

If you are concerned that your microwave hood combination is affected by the recall, you have two options for verifying its status under the recall program.

Option No. 1

Whirlpool Corporation maintains a recall section on its website, with a specific page dedicated to this recall. On that page is a list of the included model and serial numbers. There is also a link to a form you can fill out and submit to Whirlpool Corporation if you see your unit’s model and serial numbers on that list, and a guide to locating the model and serial numbers on your unit.

Option No. 2

Check the list of affected models and serial numbers in the U.S. CPSC recall notice, then call Whirlpool Corporation’s recall hotline number – 800-990-6254.

Whichever option you choose, you will need to have the model and serial numbers before you check. You should also unplug the unit and stop using it before you check for these numbers.