Public Notices

News from CPSC

    U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Communications                                                        Washington, D.C.

For Immediate Release                                 LG Recall Hotline: (866) 223-5355
August 21, 2012                                         Sears Recall Hotline: (888) 375-9741
                                                                               CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772        
                                                                       CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

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                                     796.92199900
   

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

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (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. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products-such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals-contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
 
Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.
 
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired.  Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov.  To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.