.png)
Consumers who purchased, received as a gift, or acquired as part of a home purchase or remodel, a new Whirlpool-manufactured side-by-side refrigerator between 2018 and 2021, may qualify to submit a claim for cash reimbursement or a free or discounted repair from a class action settlement.
Whirlpool Corp. has agreed to pay several million dollars to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that certain side-by-side refrigerators manufactured between 2018 and 2021, and sold under the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and JennAir brands, suffered from a defect that could cause broken wires in the freezer door, resulting in failures of in-door features such as the ice maker, ice dispenser, water dispenser, or control panel.
Who can file a claim for a Whirlpool settlement payout?
Class members must meet one or more the following criteria:
- They purchased a new qualifying side-by-side refrigerator for residential use in the United States or its territories between 2018 and 2021.
- They acquired a qualifying refrigerator manufactured between 2018 and 2021 as part of a home purchase or remodel.
- They received a qualifying refrigerator manufactured between 2018 and 2021 as a gift from someone who purchased it from Whirlpool or an authorized reseller.
To verify if they are a class member, appliance owners should confirm their refrigerator model and serial number are included in the settlement.
What refrigerator brands qualify for the settlement?
Refrigerator brands included in the settlement are:
- Whirlpool
- Maytag
- KitchenAid
- JennAir
Qualifying model numbers are listed in the FAQs on the settlement website. Class members can verify eligibility by entering the refrigerator serial number into the Check Eligibility tool.
How much will settlement payments be?
Class members have the following benefit options:
- Partial reimbursement for past out-of-pocket repair or replacement costs: Class members that experienced a wire harness issue between two and seven years after the refrigerator in-service date can submit to receive a partial cash reimbursement of the repair or replacement cost.
- Two to four years from in-service date: Class members can claim 75% of the repair cost if Whirlpool was notified of the wire harness issue, 65% of the repair cost if Whirlpool was not notified, 50% of out-of-pocket replacement cost if Whirlpool was notified of the wire harness issue or 45% of out-of-pocket replacement cost if Whirlpool was not notified.
- Five years from in-service date: Class members can claim 60% of the repair cost if Whirlpool was notified of the wire harness issue, 50% of the repair cost if Whirlpool was not notified, 40% of out-of-pocket replacement cost if Whirlpool was notified of the wire harness issue or 35% of out-of-pocket replacement cost if Whirlpool was not notified.
- Six to seven years from in-service date: Class members can claim 45% of the repair cost if Whirlpool was notified of the wire harness issue, 35% of the repair cost if Whirlpool was not notified, 30% of out-of-pocket replacement cost if Whirlpool was notified of the wire harness issue or 25% of out-of-pocket replacement cost if Whirlpool was not notified.
- Preexisting wire harness issue not yet repaired: Class members experiencing a preexisting wire harness issue that has not yet been repaired or replaced, before May 5, 2026, can submit to receive a free or discounted repair or a cash reimbursement on a qualifying purchase of a replacement refrigerator.
- Two to three years from in-service date: Class members can receive a free repair, which includes parts and labor expenses, or a 50% cash reimbursement after purchasing a qualifying replacement refrigerator.
- Four years from in-service date: Class members can receive a free repair, which includes parts and labor expenses, or a 40% cash reimbursement after purchasing a qualifying replacement refrigerator.
- Five years from in-service date: Class members can receive a repair discount for part expenses, leaving only the cost for labor, or a 40% cash reimbursement after purchasing a qualifying replacement refrigerator.
- Six to seven years from in-service date: Class members can receive a repair discount for part expenses, leaving only the cost for labor, or a 30% cash reimbursement after purchasing a qualifying replacement refrigerator.
- Future wire harness issues: Class members that experience a wire harness issue after May 5, 2026 are eligible for the same benefits as class members with preexisting issues.
How to claim a class action rebate
To claim a settlement payment, class members can file a claim online or print a PDF claim form.pdf) to complete and mail to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Whirlpool Refrigerator Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- The claim deadline for past wire harness issues is Nov. 2, 2026.
- The claim deadline for wire harness issues that occur after May 5, 2026 is 90 days after the discovery of the issue.
- For free or discounted repair benefits after May 5, 2026, class members can contact Whirlpool at 1-844-667-2929 or refset2026@whirlpool.com.
Required proof and claim information
Claimants must include the following information and documentation:
- Model and serial number of the refrigerator
- Proof of refrigerator purchase, such as receipts, credit card statements, or warranty registrations
- Proof of the date of purchase or delivery, if available
- Proof of the wire harness issue, such as dated service tickets, estimates, receipts, communications with Whirlpool or the retailer, or original photographs with date information
- Proof of payment for repairs or replacement, if claiming reimbursement
- Proof of original purchase price, if claiming reimbursement for replacement
- Proof of prior notice of the wire harness defect to Whirlpool or the retailer, if seeking higher reimbursement rates
Payout options
- Venmo
- Zelle
- PayPal
- Paper check mailed to the address provided
Settlement fund breakdown
The settlement fund will include:
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys' fees and expenses: Up to $2,810,000
- Service awards to class representatives: $5,000 each
- Payments to approved claimants: Total determined by number of valid claims filed
- Preexisting and future repairs: Cost determined by number of repair requests
Important dates
- Deadline to file a claim for past wire harness issues: Nov. 2, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim for wire harness issues occurring after May 6, 2026: 90 days after discovery of the issue
- Deadline to request exclusion: June 2, 2026
- Fairness hearing: July 9, 2026
When is the Whirlpool refrigerator wire harness settlement payout date?
Payments will be issued to approved claimants after the court grants final approval of the settlement and/or claim processing is completed.
Why was there a class action settlement?
The class action lawsuit alleged that certain Whirlpool-manufactured side-by-side refrigerators had a defect that could cause wires in the freezer door to break, resulting in failures of in-door features such as the ice maker, dispenser, or control panel. Plaintiffs claimed that Whirlpool breached warranties, was negligent, and concealed the defect.
Whirlpool denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risks of continued litigation and a possible trial.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.svg)