A class action settlement is underway right now, with three refrigerator brands—Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag—and their three-door refrigerators at the center of it all. The Whirlpool Corporation is a major appliance manufacturer based in the United States that owns and operates the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag brands.
Each brand has its own identity, catering to consumers who prefer a flagship quality, premium appliances, and durability. However, the otherwise dependable brands have had issues around proper cooling, leading to the settlement.
The Cause Of The Settlement
The defect that caused the stir was a cooling problem. Many people would experience subpar performance, leading to a fridge full of spoiled food. This would mean consumers would have to face hefty repair costs to fix the issue.
For any consumer who bought one of these fridges in a seven-year window between 2012 and 2019, they could be compensated for the hassle.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit, Paperno v. Whirlpool, claimed that certain three-door fridges had a serious design defect that caused customers numerous problems.
The flaw would mean frost and ice would build up over time onto the fridge’s evaporator. This would affect the fridge’s efficiency, leading to blocked airflow and improper inside cooling.
The Models Affected
You don’t immediately qualify for the compensation if you own a Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag fridge. However, you may be eligible if you have a three-door model manufactured between 2012 and 2019.
It doesn’t matter how you obtained the fridge – whether it was a gift, remodel, or preinstalled in your home, look at the serial and model number to find out.
The Defect
The fridges affected by the lawsuit have a problem with their dual-evaporator cooling design.
Once frost starts to build up, the refrigerator cannot maintain safe temperatures, to the dismay of many consumers who expected their fridge to store their food properly and safely. The problem seems especially prominent in the covered three-door refrigerator models.
Payouts
The payout for the settlement offers customers multiple amounts depending on how old the fridge model was at the time of repair, which showcases the defect.
If the model was 1-3 years old when it had to be repaired, the settlement payout of $300 would cover most of the cost. If it were 4-6 years old, you’d receive $225 for repair costs; if it were 7-8 years old, only $150 would be given to cover the repairs.
How To File A Claim
Those affected by the aforementioned fridge defects can file a claim online or by mail. The website, coolingsettlement.com, has a “submit a claim” section that’s easy to find.
Once there, you’ll need your fridge’s serial and model number to ensure you’re eligible. The site offers a form that can be printed out and sent physically.
Deadlines
The deadline for most claims on old repairs was June 18, 2025. However, consumers can file a claim for any frost problems from the defect that occurred after January of this year.
For new claims, the fridge must be within eight years of its original purchase date, and the claim must be made within 90 days of the repairs taking place.
Payment Methods
Once a claim is filed, it may take some time for consumers to determine whether they will get compensation. Only after the claim window closes and all claims are verified will compensation payment dates be announced and subsequently sent out.
Consumers can receive their money in various ways, including Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or a check.
Reason Behind The Settlement
Rather than getting trapped in numerous lawsuits and experiencing litigation, Whirlwind Corporation would settle by settling in the Paperno v. Whirlpool lawsuit and not admitting fault for the alleged defects.
This is a common practice in class action lawsuits, meaning that companies don’t have to incur further damage to their brand reputation while addressing consumer complaints.
Those Excluded From The Settlement
While the vast majority of consumers affected by the fault can file for the settlement, a few groups are excluded. These include any attorneys involved in the lawsuit, insurers, and company employees.
Those who have already been compensated in the past for repairs of the defective fridges or have had a replacement fridge supplied by Whirlpool cannot seek compensation in this settlement.
Impact On Industry
The settlement that Whirlpool has been involved in gained extensive media attention and has been a wake-up call for many other appliance manufacturers to ensure that defects are quickly addressed.
For groups interested in consumer well-being, this has been called a victory. The lawsuit could define future cases with similar factors, urging manufacturers to take consumer complaints seriously.
Similar Cases
Whirlpool’s case is not the first or last example of defective products inconveniencing consumers. Bosch has recently faced similar class actions and, in one settlement, had to pay out $2 million for dishwashers that were hard to use after the panel labels wore out.
Bosch has had several cases, including those over defective microwaves and ovens. This shows how even normally reputable brands can have defective products and have to make settlements.
Challenges In Consumer Products
With more and more cases of class actions against appliance manufacturers including Whirlpool, Bosch, Electrolux, and Samsung, the challenge of ensuring products are reliably tested for fault is exposed.
Manufacturers must ensure that their products are safe and dependable, or they face expensive settlements that include payments, repair cost coverage, and full replacements.
Lessons For Consumers
The case can be a lesson for consumers and their future purchases of appliances. It’s a good idea to look up brand models for any reports of unreliability and how warranty is covered, even in the case of defects.
Experts urge consumers to always register their appliances and keep all receipts and documentation regarding repair costs.