January 2, 2026 – A consumer has reported two separate incidents of glass shelves exploding inside a Thor Kitchen refrigerator purchased in February 2025. The manufacturer, THOR INTERNATIONAL, allegedly refused to address the safety issue after both incidents, raising significant concerns about the product’s safety and the manufacturer’s response to consumer complaints.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident report details a concerning series of events involving a Thor Kitchen refrigerator. The consumer purchased a brand-new Thor refrigerator from Lowe’s Miami on February 4, 2025. Approximately a month later, on March 2, 2025, a technician from Thor visited the consumer’s home to set the refrigerator’s thermostat.
Later that month, at the end of March 2025, the consumer reported that one of the glass shelves inside the refrigerator “exploded.” Following this initial incident, the consumer states that Thor Kitchen refused to resolve the problem. The issue recurred several months later, on November 14, 2025, when a second glass shelf in the same refrigerator “exploded.” Once again, the consumer alleges that Thor Kitchen refused to address this repeated safety issue.
Safety Concerns
The reported incidents of exploding glass shelves within a refrigerator pose several serious safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: Exploding glass can cause severe lacerations, puncture wounds, and eye injuries to anyone in close proximity. This includes adults, children, and pets who might be reaching into or standing near the refrigerator when an explosion occurs. The force of the explosion could also propel glass shards outward, increasing the risk of injury.
- Long-Term Risks: The repeated nature of these incidents, with two shelves exploding within months, suggests a potential manufacturing defect or design flaw. If not addressed, this could lead to future shelf explosions, continuously putting household members at risk. The continued presence of a product with such a defect in a home is a persistent hazard.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone using or living in the vicinity of the refrigerator, especially children who may not understand the danger, is at risk. Pets could also be injured by falling glass or shards on the floor.
- Property Damage Potential: Beyond personal injury, exploding glass can damage the contents of the refrigerator, contaminate food with glass shards, and potentially damage other items in the kitchen or on the floor. The cleanup of shattered tempered glass can be difficult and time-consuming.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own a Thor Kitchen refrigerator, particularly models with glass shelving, should take these actions:
- Immediate Steps: If you observe any cracking, shattering, or unusual sounds from your refrigerator’s glass shelves, cease use of the affected shelf immediately. If a shelf has exploded, carefully clear the area of all glass fragments using thick gloves and appropriate protective gear to avoid injury. Do not attempt to use the refrigerator if you suspect it is unsafe.
- Check Your Product: Inspect the glass shelves in your Thor Kitchen refrigerator for any signs of stress, cracks, or imperfections. While the model number was not specified in this report, it is prudent for all Thor Kitchen refrigerator owners to exercise caution.
- Prevention Measures: Until the issue is resolved by the manufacturer or the cause is determined, consider removing potentially problematic glass shelves if you have alternatives. Avoid placing extremely hot or cold items directly on glass shelves, as extreme temperature changes can sometimes cause stress, though explosions typically indicate a more significant defect.
- Reporting Procedures: It is crucial to report any incidents involving exploding glass shelves or other product malfunctions to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. This helps the CPSC gather data and investigate potential widespread safety issues. Also, directly contact Thor Kitchen customer service to report your specific incident and demand a resolution.
Manufacturer’s Response
The incident report indicates a “Yes” response from the manufacturer, THOR INTERNATIONAL. However, the consumer explicitly states that Thor “refused to solve this problem” after the first explosion and “again refused to solve this safety issue” after the second. This suggests that while the manufacturer may have acknowledged receipt of the complaint, they reportedly did not provide a satisfactory resolution to the consumer regarding the exploding glass shelves.
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.