December 10, 2025 – A Frigidaire electric range oven door unexpectedly shattered, dispersing tempered glass onto a kitchen floor, an incident that occurred approximately 30 minutes after the appliance was turned off. The consumer expressed serious safety concerns, particularly regarding potential injury to children or adults who might have been near the oven at the time.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 23, 2025, a homeowner reported an alarming incident involving their Frigidaire FFEF3054TSR electric range. The user’s wife had briefly used the oven on the “Broil” setting to toast a hamburger bun. After removing the bun and turning off the oven, the couple ate their lunch. Approximately 30 minutes later, and after the oven door had been left slightly ajar to release heat, the outer tempered glass panel of the oven door spontaneously shattered with force, expelling glass shards across the kitchen floor. Fortunately, no one was in close proximity to the oven at the time of the incident, preventing potential injuries. The homeowner noted that the glass was only slightly warm to the touch when it shattered. Upon inspection, the consumer observed what appeared to be a substance that had run down the outside of the inner oven glass, leading to speculation that a seal failure might have contributed to the outer panel’s breakage. The inner oven glass remained intact. The range was purchased new on November 1, 2021, making it four to five years old at the time of the incident.
Safety Concerns
The shattering of an oven door’s tempered glass panel poses significant safety risks to consumers.
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is from flying glass shards, which can cause severe lacerations, eye injuries, and other trauma to anyone nearby. Given the force described (“glass was blown out”), the risk of injury is high, especially for small children whose bare legs or faces might be at oven-door level.
- Long-term Risks: Continued use of an oven with a compromised or absent outer glass panel can expose users to higher surface temperatures on the remaining interior glass, increasing the risk of burns. The manufacturer’s contradictory statements — initially classifying the issue as “cosmetic” but later admitting the remaining interior panels would be a “burn hazard” — highlight this concern.
- Property Damage: While not the primary concern, shattered glass necessitates a thorough cleanup and can potentially scratch floors or other surfaces.
- Unpredictability: The incident occurring 30 minutes *after* the oven was turned off, when the glass was only slightly warm, indicates an unpredictable failure that consumers cannot easily anticipate or prevent through standard operating procedures. The suggested “seal failure” and “something had run down” observation could point to a design or material flaw that compromises the integrity of the tempered glass over time.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Frigidaire FFEF3054TSR electric range or a similar model and experience a similar issue, or have concerns about your oven door:
1. Immediate Action: If your oven door shatters, immediately ensure all people and pets are safely away from the area. Do not attempt to use the oven. Carefully clean up all glass shards using protective gloves and footwear.
2. Inspect Your Appliance: Regularly inspect your oven door for any signs of damage, cracks, or abnormalities in the glass or seals. While this incident occurred without prior warning, being observant of any changes is crucial.
3. Contact the Manufacturer: Report the incident directly to Electrolux/Frigidaire. Provide all details, including your model and serial number. Document all communications, including dates, times, and names of representatives.
4. Report to CPSC: File an incident report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. This helps the CPSC identify patterns and potential widespread defects, which can lead to investigations or recalls. The consumer in this report noted seeing several CPSC complaints, underscoring the importance of individual reports.
5. Seek Professional Repair: If your oven door glass shatters, do not attempt to repair it yourself. Contact a qualified technician for professional assessment and replacement. Be aware that the manufacturer may charge for out-of-warranty repairs.
Manufacturer’s Response
The consumer reported a series of interactions with Electrolux, the manufacturer. Initially, Electrolux declined special assistance, citing the expired warranty and lack of a recall for the specific model. However, after the consumer mentioned numerous similar CPSC complaints and news reports, Electrolux temporarily agreed to send a technician to replace the glass for $205.44. This offer was swiftly rescinded when a representative received an internal message classifying the shattering of the outer glass panel as a “cosmetic issue.” The manufacturer then advised the consumer to purchase a replacement glass panel, which was described as an “upgraded version,” for $113.14, and then pay an additional $120 for a technician to install it, bringing the total repair cost to approximately $233.14.
The consumer also reported a contradiction in Electrolux’s statements: while initially calling the issue “cosmetic,” a subsequent representative stated that the oven *could* be used safely with the missing outer panel, but the remaining interior glass panels would become a “burn hazard” if touched. This inconsistency raised concerns for the consumer, who inferred that the manufacturer is aware of a problem with the original glass, given the “upgraded version” replacement and the existence of recalls for similar issues on other models. The manufacturer did offer a 40% discount on a new appliance, which the consumer declined.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.