Consumers may qualify for cash, rebate for a future purchase and coverage for repair costs on certain Frigidaire and Electrolux models.
One of the refrigerators with the ice maker in question. (Photo courtesy of Nagel Rice law firm.)NEWARK -- Legal complaints originally involving two New Jersey families over allegedly defective refrigerator ice makers have resulted in a nationwide settlement that could grant $100, a discount for a new appliance and refunds for repairs for others who bought similar models.
The settlement with Electrolux, based in Charlotte, N.C., ends the legal case against the appliance maker that door-mounted ice makers broke down, leaked, and caused damages and lost food.
"We were very pleased" the company agreed to the settlement "in view of the fact that the product did not work," said Bruce Nagel, the Roseland attorney who was the lead counsel of the class action.
Electrolux, in a prepared statement, said it admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement and denied that the product was defective.
To qualify for a share in the settlement, owners had to have purchased certain refrigerators under the brand names Frigidaire, Electrolux and Crosley between 2008-2011.
The refrigerators had two French-style doors above a pull-out freezer. The ice maker was installed on one door and designed to make cylindrical ice cubes. The ice maker was identified as a Gen 1 model.
Bamboozled: Is this disgraced travel company exec breaking his deal with the state?
The refrigerators sold for $1,900-$3,000, Nagel said, saying about 110,000 were sold. The product has been discontinued, he added.
According to the original complaints, the ice makers failed less than a year after purchase. They leaked, causing further damage to the refrigerator and forcing the families to throw out more than $500 in spoiled food.
Their complaints were joined in New Jersey federal court with other consumers' complaints from around the country, leading to the settlement Wednesday.
In its statement, Electrolux North America said it wanted to end the litigation.
"We have agreed to settle this lawsuit so that we may put this matter behind us," the statement said. "Though we were prepared to take this matter to trial and believed we would prevail, we concluded that this settlement provides a reasonable opportunity to avoid continued litigation costs."
Consumers who qualify for a share of the settlement will be paid $100 and will get an offer for a $100 rebate on a future Electrolux or Frigidaire appliance purchase.
Consumers who registered their refrigerator after purchasing it should have gotten notice of the settlement, Nagel said.
Those who did not register, or who are looking for more information and a claim form, can go to www.icemakersettlement.com.
Tim Darragh may be reached at tdarragh@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @timdarragh. Find NJ.com on Facebook.