Defective Dishwashers Case Against Electrolux Will Proceed

Purchasers of dishwashers sold under the Frigidaire or Electrolux brand names can proceed on nearly all of their claims against Electrolux Home Products, Inc. after Judge Milton I. Shadur of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois largely denied Electrolux’s Motion to Dismiss last week.  Plaintiff alleges that the dishwashers are dangerously defective in that their electrical systems overheat and catch fire, burning holes through the dishwasher, causing flooding, and/or causing the entire dishwasher and surrounding area to ignite and burn.  More specifically, many consumers, including Plaintiff, have reported that the heating element in their dishwashers burned a crack or hole in the bottom of the dishwasher, causing significant flooding when the dishwasher is operating along with smoke and fire damage.

Electrolux filed a motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s complaint, but Judge Shadur held that the follow claims can all move forward: implied warranty, strict liability design defect, strict liability failure to warn, negligence, negligent failure to warn, violation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, and fraudulent concealment.  In doing so, Judge Shadur highlighted Plaintiff’s allegations that “expressly describe Electrolux’s extensive knowledge of the hazard of its dishwashers catching on fire, knowledge that caused it to recall its dishwashers outside of the United States but not in this country.”

To read the complaint in its entirety click here. Judge Shadur’s order is available here.

Plaintiffs are represented by Wexler Wallace, along with Berger & Montague, P.C. and Greg Coleman Law PC.

If you purchased a dishwasher sold under the Frigidaire or Electrolux brand names that has overheated, causing fire and/or flooding, or would like more information about this action, please contact us at 312-346-2222 or fill out our online form.