If your fridge’s ice maker, water dispenser, or control panel suddenly stopped working… this might explain why.
A $2.81 million class action settlement involving Whirlpool Corp. could offer cash reimbursements or free/discounted repairs for certain side-by-side refrigerators.
Why This Lawsuit Exists?
The lawsuit claims certain refrigerators made between 2018 and 2021 had a defect that could cause wires inside the freezer door (called a “wire harness”) to break. This issue could lead to:
- Ice maker not working
- Water dispenser failing
- Control panel issues
Plaintiffs argued Whirlpool:
- Sold defective refrigerators
- Failed to properly fix or disclose the issue
Whirlpool denies wrongdoing, but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of litigation.
Who Qualifies?
You may be eligible if you:
- Purchased a new side-by-side refrigerator (2018–2021) for personal use
- Received one as a gift, OR
- Got one through a home purchase or remodel
Applies to these brands:
- Whirlpool
- Maytag
- KitchenAid
- JennAir
You’ll need your model and serial number to confirm eligibility.
How Much Can You Get?
Your benefit depends on when the issue happened and what you paid.
You may qualify for:
- Cash reimbursement (partial refund of repair or replacement costs)
- Free or discounted repairs
- Replacement door (in some cases)
Examples (simplified):
- 2–3 years after purchase:
- Up to 50% of purchase price (cash) OR
- Free repair (parts + labor)
- 4–5 years:
- Around 40% reimbursement OR
- Free or discounted repair
- 6–7 years:
- Around 30% reimbursement OR
- Discounted repair (parts covered)
If you already paid for repairs, you may get 50%–75% reimbursement, depending on whether you notified Whirlpool earlier.
If you replaced the fridge, you may get 25%–50% back of the original price.
Your Options
| Option | What It Means | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Submit a Claim | Get cash or repair benefits | Nov 2, 2026 (past issues) |
| Future Issue Claim | Report within 90 days of issue | Rolling deadline |
| Exclude Yourself | Keep right to sue separately | June 2, 2026 |
| Object | Tell the court you disagree | June 2, 2026 |
| Do Nothing | No benefits, give up rights | — |
How to File a Claim?
Filing is straightforward, but you’ll need documentation.
What to gather:
- Model and serial number
- Proof of purchase (receipt, statement, etc.)
- Proof of the issue (service records, photos, etc.)
- Proof of repair/replacement costs (if applicable)
File online or mail a claim form to:
Whirlpool Refrigerator Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch St., Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
You can also contact Whirlpool for repair benefits:
- Phone: 1-844-667-2929
- Email: [email protected]
