January 6, 2026 – A Frigidaire Model FFHS2611LW side-by-side refrigerator, manufactured by Electrolux/White Consolidated and purchased from Lowe’s, has been at the center of a series of severe malfunctions, culminating in a reported house fire. The incident report details multiple failures of the appliance, including repeated cooling system breakdowns, significant food loss, and ultimately, flames erupting from the unit, posing a severe risk to the household occupants.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The complainant purchased a new Frigidaire side-by-side refrigerator (Model #FFHS2611LW, Serial #4A64706654) on February 7, 2017. The appliance was intended for normal residential household use.
First Failure (March 20, 2018): Just over a year after purchase, the refrigerator failed to maintain proper cooling, and the freezer began defrosting. The repair process was complicated by an unprofessional first technician, requiring a second technician to complete the repair. Although Frigidaire extended the warranty for parts and labor, this malfunction resulted in approximately $600 in lost food, lost wages, and additional daily food expenses for the complainant.
Second Failure (August 2, 2018): Less than five months later, the refrigerator failed again, unable to keep cool. Initial contact with a warranty service provider suggested a refrigerant leak, which was reportedly not covered by that warranty. The complainant then contacted Frigidaire/Electrolux directly, expressing alarm over the repeated failures and the belief that the product was defective. This second failure led to another $600 in lost food, further lost wages, and continued daily food purchases. A service inspection on August 6, 2018, diagnosed the problem as a failed compressor, requiring a part order. Following this, the complainant escalated the issue to Electrolux, formally requesting a replacement refrigerator instead of another repair.
Electrolux Response – Refusal to Replace: An Electrolux representative contacted the complainant, offering only another repair and refusing to replace the refrigerator. The complainant reported a lack of concern from the representative regarding the significant food loss, lost wages, and ongoing daily food purchases caused by the repeated failures. Despite clear documentation of two major failures within 18 months, the company maintained its stance, offering only repairs and denying escalation to another company executive.
Third Event – Fire Incident (May 25, 2020): Approximately two years and three months after the second failure, on May 25, 2020, at around 6:00 a.m., the complainant awoke to the smell of something burning. Tracing the odor, they discovered flames emanating from the lower rear portion of the Frigidaire refrigerator. At the time, a four-year-old grandson, a sister, and the family dog were inside the home. The complainant immediately evacuated all occupants and the pet, then returned to the kitchen, pulled the refrigerator away from the wall, and unplugged the unit, which extinguished the fire.
The complainant was unable to reach anyone at Electrolux and contacted a service provider recommended by the manufacturer’s automated system. The service technician identified and replaced a burnt-out capacitor, assuring the complainant the new part was fire-resistant. This repair cost $385. The technician’s comments suggested awareness of this type of failure being non-rare. However, the refrigerator only worked for one day before failing to cool again. The technician returned, stating the compressor had been damaged by the fire and an additional $400 repair would be needed. The complainant refused, citing the ongoing issues, and the technician returned the $385 payment, charging only a service fee.
Final Outcome: On May 26, 2020, the complainant was forced to purchase a new refrigerator at their own expense. The defective Frigidaire unit was moved to the garage for potential investigation. Subsequent attempts to contact Electrolux for assistance, including communication with the previously unhelpful representative, yielded no resolution. The complainant also contacted the Attorney General’s Office multiple times but reported feeling dismissed and pressured to abandon their complaint.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several critical safety concerns associated with the Frigidaire Model FFHS2611LW refrigerator:
- Fire Hazard: The most severe risk is the documented fire emanating from the unit. Electrical fires can spread rapidly, causing significant property damage, severe injuries, or even fatalities. The presence of flames indicates a severe defect in the electrical or cooling system components, such as the capacitor or compressor, which can overheat and ignite nearby flammable materials.
- Risk of Injury and Death: The fire incident occurred while a four-year-old child, an adult, and a pet were inside the home. A fire in a residence poses an immediate and direct threat to life through smoke inhalation, burns, and entrapment.
- Property Damage: The fire, although extinguished by the complainant, caused damage to the appliance itself and potentially to surrounding kitchen components, as indicated by the need for a new refrigerator.
- Food Safety and Economic Loss: Repeated failures to maintain cold temperatures led to substantial spoilage of food, totaling approximately $1,200 over two incidents. This not only represents significant financial loss but also poses health risks if compromised food is unknowingly consumed.
- Systemic Malfunction: The repeated failures, particularly of critical components like the compressor and capacitor, suggest a potential systemic manufacturing or design defect rather than isolated incidents.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Frigidaire Model FFHS2611LW refrigerator or any other appliance exhibiting similar issues, it is crucial to take immediate action to ensure safety:
- Immediate Safety Steps: If you smell burning, see smoke, or observe flames coming from your refrigerator, immediately prioritize the safety of all occupants and pets by evacuating the premises. If it is safe to do so and the fire is contained to the appliance, unplug the unit from the electrical outlet. Do not attempt to fight an electrical fire with water. Call emergency services (911) immediately.
- Check Your Product: Locate the model and serial number on your Frigidaire refrigerator (typically found inside the refrigerator compartment on a label, or on the back of the unit).
- Monitor for Warning Signs: Pay attention to any unusual smells (like burning plastic or electrical components), strange noises, or inconsistent cooling performance from your refrigerator. If you notice any of these signs, unplug the unit and contact a qualified service technician.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all communication with the manufacturer, retailer, and service technicians, including dates, times, names, and summaries of conversations. Preserve all receipts, repair invoices, and any photographic or video evidence of malfunctions or damage.
- Report the Incident:
* Contact the Manufacturer: Inform Frigidaire/Electrolux directly about any malfunction or safety concern.
* Report to the CPSC: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. This helps the CPSC track incidents and identify potential product recalls.
* Local Authorities: If a fire occurred, ensure you have a fire report from your local fire department.
Manufacturer’s Response
In this particular case, Electrolux/Frigidaire’s response, even after multiple major failures and an explicit request for replacement, was reportedly limited to offering further repairs. The complainant states that the manufacturer expressed little to no concern for the significant financial and personal hardships incurred and refused to escalate the issue beyond the initial customer service representative. Even after a fire incident, the complainant reported receiving no assistance or resolution from Electrolux.
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.