LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Company has reissued its recall of some 98,000 units of home dehumidifiers manufactured in China that are believed to be responsible for more than $1 million in property damage.
According to the company, certain models of its Goldstar and Comfort-Aire-brand home dehumidifiers incorporate a power connector for the dehumidifiers’ compressor that can short circuit, posting fire and burn hazards to consumers and their property.
The original recall, issued in December 2009, was initiated when LG Electronics received 11 separate reports of problems with the dehumidifiers, including four significant fires. Since then, the company has received an additional 16 reports of arcing, smoke and fire, including nine significant fires.
Although there have been no reports to date of injuries, only 2% of consumers who purchased the recalled units have requested a free repair, prompting the follow-up recall.
The recalled dehumidifiers were sold at The Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware and others retailers nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140-150.
