LG Electronics and Sears Recall Gas Dryers For Repair Due to Fire Hazard

LG Electronics and Sears Recall Gas Dryers For Repair Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately until a repair is completed on affected dryers. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: LG Electronics and Kenmore Elite® Gas Dryers

Units: About 21,000

Manufacturer: LG Electronics, Inc., of South Korea

Hazard: The gas valve in the recalled dryers can fail to shut off properly, continuing to heat the dryer and its contents after the drying cycle is complete. High temperatures inside and on the exterior surface of the dryers can scorch the drum, as well as burn or damage the dryer contents, posing a risk of burn, fire and smoke inhalation.

Incidents/Injuries: LG Electronics and Sears have received 141 consumer complaints about dryers continuing to heat after the drying cycle is complete. There were three reports of minor burns to hands or arms. Burnt or scorched clothing was reported in more than 50 incidents.

Description: LG Electronics and Sears’ Kenmore Elite brand gas dryers come in the following colors: LG models in white; Kenmore Elite® in red, white and ginger (gold). Model and serial numbers can be found on a label fixed to the front of the dryer above the opened door, which can be viewed only when the dryer door is open. To confirm if your dryer is part of this recall, identify both model and serial numbers, since not all dryers with the listed models are recalled.

Sold by: LG Electronics brand gas dryers were sold by various appliance stores, including Sears, nationwide from November 2009 through August 2010. Kenmore Elite® brand gas dryers were sold at Sears stores nationwide from November 2009 through August 2010. The approximate retail cost for the recalled dryers was between $650 and $1500 for these various models.

Manufactured in: South Korea

Remedy: Consumers should turn off the gas supply and stop using the dryers until repaired. LG brand owners who purchased their dryer at retailers other than Sears should contact LG customer service to arrange for a free gas valve replacement. Customers who purchased Kenmore or LG brand dryers from Sears should contact Sears’ customer service to schedule a free repair to replace the gas valve. Some consumers have already been notified and have received the repair service.

ATTENTION: Dryers that have a colored sticker on the back, top, or a colored sticker or a plus sign (“+”) on the back, bottom, near the gas valve assembly, have already been repaired. If accessible, consumers can check for these stickers or sign. If not accessible, contact LG or Sears as detailed below.

LG Consumer Contact: For additional information about the recall and to schedule a repair, contact LG toll free at (866) 223-5355 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, or visit the firm’s website at www.lg.com/us and click on Public Notices.

Sears Consumer Contact: For additional information and to schedule a repair, contact Sears toll-free at (888) 375-9741 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and between 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Saturday, or visit the firm’s website at www.sears.com and click on Product Recalls under Customer Service.

LG Dryers
 

DLG0452W
DLG1320W
DLG2051W

Sears Kenmore Elite Dryers
 

796.90512900
796.90518900
796.91022900
 

796.91028900
796.91029900
796.92192900

796.92198900
 
796.91029900

Both LG and Kenmore Elite Dryers’ Model and Serial Numbers are in the location shown in the diagram below:

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SL8771-63: Painted Bronze
11″ dia.
1-light
Golden cream
swirl glass

SL326-8: White

9-1/2″ dia.
2-light
White glass

SL8691-81: Tile Bronze

11″ dia.
1-light
Etched alabaster
style glass

SL8772-63: Painted Bronze

13″ dia.
2-light
Golden cream
swirl glass

SL458-8: White

9-1/2″ dia.
2-light
Clear glass

SL8692-1: Polished Brass

13″ dia.
2-light
Etched alabaster
style glass

SL8781-15: Oiled Bronze

11″ dia.
1-light
Etched glass

SL8652-1: Polished Brass

13″ dia.
2-light
Etched swirl
glass

SL8692-18: Textured White

13″ dia.
2-light
Etched alabaster
style glass

SL8781-23: Colonial Bronze

11″ dia.
1-light
Etched glass

Representative photos of the main affected products:

Model number SL326-8

Model number SL8691-78 (11″ 1-light),
or SL8692-78 (13″ 2-light),
or SL8693-78 (15-1/2″ 3-light)

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