January 7, 2026 – A KitchenAid KECD867XSS02 cooktop reportedly exploded while a consumer was preparing dinner, sending glass shards flying throughout the kitchen and embedding a piece in the ceiling. Fortunately, no injuries were reported despite the dramatic incident.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On December 15, 2025, a consumer was preparing dinner when they noticed that a burner on their KitchenAid KECD867XSS02 cooktop was not heating properly. When the consumer attempted to turn the burner knob off, the burner unexpectedly became hot, and light smoke began to emanate from the unit. Repeated attempts to turn the burner off by hitting the knob twice were unsuccessful.
In an effort to resolve the issue, the consumer turned the knob back on. Within a second of this action, they heard a distinct arcing sound originating from within the stove, immediately followed by the cooktop’s glass surface exploding. Shards of glass were propelled violently across the kitchen, with one piece becoming lodged in the ceiling. Following the explosion, the cooktop began to emit more smoke, prompting the consumer to quickly locate their electrical box and trip the main breaker to the appliance, effectively cutting its power. The entire incident was reportedly captured on video. The consumer expressed immense relief that no injuries occurred.
Safety Concerns
This incident with the KitchenAid KECD867XSS02 cooktop highlights several critical safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The most immediate danger is the risk of severe lacerations, punctures, or eye injuries from exploding and flying glass shards. An uncontrolled electrical arc also presents a significant risk of electrical shock and potential burns. The sudden onset of smoke indicates a potential internal electrical fault or overheating, which can quickly escalate.
- Long-Term Risks: Undetected electrical faults can lead to recurring hazards, including intermittent arcing, further component failures, or potential for electrical fires even when the appliance is not in active use. The structural integrity of the cooktop may also be compromised, leading to further unexpected failures.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone in the vicinity of the cooktop during such an event, including adults, children, and pets, is at direct risk of injury from flying debris. The presence of video recording suggests the individual was in the kitchen, making them vulnerable.
- Property Damage Potential: Beyond the initial destruction of the cooktop itself, the incident caused glass to become embedded in the ceiling. Such an explosion could also damage countertops, flooring, and other kitchen fixtures. More critically, electrical arcing and smoke present a serious fire hazard, capable of causing extensive damage to the home if not immediately contained by cutting power.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a KitchenAid KECD867XSS02 cooktop or a similar model and experience any unusual behavior, such as a burner not heating, unexpected heating, smoke, or arcing sounds, take the following immediate steps:
- Immediately Disconnect Power: Do not attempt to use the appliance. Turn off the power to the cooktop directly at your home’s electrical breaker box. This is the safest way to prevent further electrical hazards or potential fires.
- Do Not Attempt Repairs: Do not try to diagnose or fix the problem yourself. Electrical appliances can be extremely dangerous to tamper with.
- Check Your Model: Verify if you own the KitchenAid Model KECD867XSS02 (or another KitchenAid/Whirlpool cooktop) by checking the model number, typically found on a label beneath the cooktop or on the side of the unit.
- Contact the Manufacturer: Reach out to Whirlpool Corporation (the manufacturer of KitchenAid) directly to report the incident and inquire about potential remedies or safety inspections.
- Report the Incident: File a detailed incident report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov or by calling their hotline. This helps track potential widespread issues and can prompt recalls.
- Document Everything: If safe to do so, take photos or videos of any damage or unusual behavior before disconnecting power. This can be crucial for reporting and potential claims.
Manufacturer’s Response
The manufacturer, WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, has indicated that a response was provided regarding this incident. Further details on the nature of their response are not available in this report.
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.