The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reported Thursday that Viking Range Corp. has recalled approximately 45,000 refrigerators due to an injury hazard.
The recall involves Viking built-in 48-inch-wide side-by-side refrigerator/freezers and built-in 36-inch-wide refrigerators with bottom freezers. The maker says that it has received nearly 60 reports of doors detaching from the refrigerators, including four reports of injuries including bruises, broken toes and fingers, and strains. Also, several incidents of minor damage to floors and countertops have been reported. The affected refrigerator models can be identified by the serial numbers listed below. Consumers with recalled refrigerators should contact Viking immediately to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should stop using the recalled refrigerators if the door isn't sealing properly, is sagging, or fails to open and close properly. If the door is functioning properly, consumers may continue to use the refrigerator until it has been repaired.
| Model Numbers Starting With | Date Codes |
| VCSB481, VCSB482, DDSB482, DFSB482, DTSB482, DDBB362, VCBB360, VCBB362, DFBB362, DTBB362, DTBB363 |
All Units |
| VCSB483, DDSB483, DFSB483, DTSB483 | Date codes before 030104 |
| VCSB483D, DDSB483D, DFSB483D | Date codes before 030105 |
| VCBB363 | Date codes before 102005 |
| DDBB363 | Date codes before 112305 |
| DFBB363 | Date codes before 041006 |
The first six numbers in the serial number are the manufacture date of the unit in MM/DD/YY format. (E.g., serial number 051903G000000375 was manufactured on May 19, 2003. Serial number F01250210170 was manufactured Jan. 25, 2002.)
Affected units come in stainless steel and various colors and wood finishes, and are built into the kitchen cabinetry. "Viking" is written on the front of the refrigerator. The models and serial numbers are located either behind the produce drawer or on the ceiling of the interior of the refrigerator. No 42-inch-wide or freestanding refrigerators are included in this recall.
The refrigerators were manufactured in the U.S. and sold by appliance and specialty retailers nationwide from July 1999 through April 2006, and retailed for $4,725 to $6,400.
For more information, contact Viking at 888.345.2650 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the recall page of Viking's website.
CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Reports can be made by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx. --Lauren Hunter, associate editor, REMODELING.
