Amana Recall Of Certain Model Room Air Conditioner Switches

PRODUCT: Control switches on certain model Amana 208/230 volt room air conditioners distributed from June 1987 through October 1991.

PROBLEM: Control switch may overheat in the "off" position and cause a fire.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should have the switch replaced by an authorized Amana servicer. Call 1-800-262-3121 to find the nearest Amana service center.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Amana Refrigeration, Inc., of Amana, IA, is voluntarily recalling the control switches on certain models of its 208/230-volt room air conditioners. The switch may overheat in the "off" position and cause a fire.

CPSC was informed of this potential hazard by Amana Refrigeration, Inc. after Amana received notice from the control switch manufacturer that overheating could occur. Amana is aware of 14 switch failures with no reported injuries.

The affected room air conditioners were distributed by Amana nationwide from June 1987 through October 1991. Approximately 130,000 units were sold to consumers or remain in dealer inventory. The air conditioners sold for about $500 -$600 each. The serial numbers of the models included in the recall are:

Amana has initiated a comprehensive replacement program for the switches. Any consumer with one of the affected room air conditioners should unplug the product and have the switch replaced by an authorized Amana servicer. Overheating cannot occur if the unit is unplugged.

Consumers should call 1-800-262-3121 to find their nearest Amana servicer or to have any questions answered. Amana is also notifying, by direct mail, owners of the affected air conditioners who submitted ownership registration cards.

The mission of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.