December 23, 2025 – A recent incident report highlights a significant safety concern with Viking VGIC5362 gas oven racks. A consumer reported that the chrome coating on their oven racks began peeling off after only light use, leading to pieces of the metal finish falling into food being prepared on lower racks.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident report, dated November 22, 2025, details an alarming issue with a Viking VGIC5362 gas oven. According to the consumer, the chrome plating on the oven racks began to peel and flake off despite the oven only experiencing light use. This deterioration resulted in visible pieces of the chrome finish detaching from the racks and falling directly into food items being cooked on lower racks within the oven. This raises immediate concerns about food contamination and the potential ingestion of foreign materials.
Safety Concerns
The peeling of chrome coating from oven racks presents several serious safety concerns for consumers:
- Immediate Dangers (Ingestion): The primary and most immediate danger is the potential ingestion of metal flakes. Swallowing these sharp, hard particles could lead to choking, internal cuts or punctures in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. This risk is particularly high for children or individuals with difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Even if not immediately injurious, ingesting small metal pieces can cause gastrointestinal distress, including stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or constipation. Over time, an accumulation of such particles could lead to more serious blockages or irritation.
- Chemical Exposure: While chrome itself (especially food-grade stainless steel plating) is generally considered non-toxic in small amounts, the composition of the specific coating used is unknown. It could potentially contain other metals or compounds that, if ingested repeatedly, could pose long-term health risks or trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Reduced Appliance Functionality: Beyond the health risks, the deterioration of the racks compromises the intended function and durability of the appliance, potentially requiring premature replacement of parts or the entire oven.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own a Viking VGIC5362 gas oven or similar Viking models should take immediate action:
- Stop Using Affected Racks: If you observe any signs of peeling, flaking, or damage to the chrome coating on your oven racks, immediately cease using those racks for cooking.
- Inspect Your Oven: Carefully inspect all oven racks for your Viking VGIC5362 oven for any visual signs of deterioration, discoloration, or loose chrome particles. Pay close attention to edges, joints, and any areas that may experience wear.
- Avoid Contaminated Food: Do not consume any food that may have come into contact with peeling chrome particles. Dispose of potentially contaminated food immediately.
- Contact the Manufacturer: Reach out to VIKING RANGE CORPORATION to report the issue and inquire about replacement racks or potential solutions. Provide them with details of your oven model and the nature of the problem.
- Report to Regulators: File a detailed incident report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. Your report helps identify patterns and prompt further investigation or recalls.
- Document Everything: Take clear photographs and videos of the peeling racks and any affected food. Keep records of all communications with the manufacturer and retailers.
Manufacturer’s Response
VIKING RANGE CORPORATION has acknowledged the incident report, indicating they are aware of the issue reported by the consumer. Further details regarding their specific actions or proposed solutions are not available at this time.
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.