Whirlpool Refrigerator Settlement — Free Repairs or Cash for Side-by-Side Fridges with Wire Harness Defect
By Steve Levine
Published: March 25, 2026
Claim Deadline (Past Issues): November 2, 2026
Future Issues: Contact Whirlpool within 90 days of discovering the problem
Benefits: Free repairs, free parts, or 25%-75% cash reimbursement
What Is This Settlement About?
If you own a Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, or JennAir side-by-side refrigerator and your ice maker stopped working, your water dispenser quit, or your control panel went dead, there is a good chance you are looking at the exact defect this settlement was created to fix -- and you may be owed free repairs or cash.A class action lawsuit alleged that certain side-by-side refrigerators manufactured by Whirlpool between 2018 and 2021 have a defect in the wire harness -- the bundle of wires that runs through the hinge area of the freezer door to power the in-door features. Over time, the repeated opening and closing of the door causes these wires to flex, fatigue, and eventually break. When they break, the ice maker stops making ice, the ice dispenser stops dispensing, the water dispenser stops working, and the control panel on the door may go completely unresponsive.
This is not a random one-off failure. The lawsuit claims this is a design defect affecting a specific set of models across four Whirlpool-owned brands: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and JennAir. If your side-by-side fridge from one of these brands suddenly lost one or more of its door features, and it was manufactured between 2018 and 2021, this settlement likely covers you.
Whirlpool denies the claims and denies that it violated any law or engaged in wrongdoing. The court has not determined that Whirlpool did anything wrong. Both sides agreed to settle.
Which Refrigerators Are Covered?
The settlement covers specific model numbers of side-by-side refrigerators manufactured by Whirlpool between 2018 and 2021, sold under the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and JennAir brand names. Not every refrigerator from these brands is included -- only models with specific model and serial numbers qualify.Covered brands and some of the included model number ranges: JennAir (JSC23C9EEM00), KitchenAid (KRSC500, KRSC700, KRSF505, KRSF705 series), Maytag (MSC21C6, MSS25C4, MSS26C6 series), and Whirlpool (WRS555, WRS571, WRS586, WRS588, WRS970, WRS973, WRSA71, WRSA88 series). The full model list with all variations is available on the settlement website.
The fastest way to check if your fridge qualifies: go to RefrigeratorSettlement.com and enter your serial number. The website will instantly tell you whether your specific unit is a qualifying Class Refrigerator. You can find your model and serial number on a label inside the refrigerator, usually on the side wall of the fresh food compartment.
What Benefits Are Available?
The settlement provides three types of benefits depending on your situation.If you already paid for a repair: you can get 35% to 75% of your repair costs reimbursed in cash. The exact percentage depends on how many years after purchase the issue occurred and whether you contacted Whirlpool before paying out of pocket. People who contacted Whirlpool first get a higher reimbursement rate. For issues that occurred 2-4 years after purchase, reimbursement is 65% to 75% of repair costs. For year 5, it is 50% to 60%. For years 6-7, it is 35% to 45%.
If you replaced the refrigerator entirely because of the wire harness issue: you can get 25% to 50% of the original purchase price back in cash, depending on when the replacement happened and whether you contacted Whirlpool first. For replacements within 2-4 years of purchase, reimbursement is 45% to 50%. For year 5, it is 35% to 40%. For years 6-7, it is 25% to 30%.
If you currently have the wire harness issue and have not repaired or replaced the fridge yet: you can choose either a free repair (Whirlpool will arrange parts and labor for issues within 2-4 years, or parts only for years 5-7) or a cash reimbursement toward replacement (30% to 50% of the original purchase price depending on timing).
This Settlement Also Covers Future Problems
This is unusual and worth highlighting. The settlement does not just cover wire harness issues that have already happened. If your refrigerator has not experienced the problem yet but develops it in the future, you are still covered -- as long as the issue occurs within 7 years of the purchase or manufacture date.For future wire harness issues that occur after May 5, 2026, you must contact Whirlpool at 1-844-667-2929 or refset2026@whirlpool.com within 90 days of discovering the problem and before paying for any repair or replacement. Whirlpool will then process the repair or reimbursement directly.
How Do I File a Claim?
For past wire harness issues (problems that occurred before May 5, 2026): submit a claim form online at RefrigeratorSettlement.com or by mail by November 2, 2026. You will need your model number, serial number, and documentation of the issue and any costs you paid.If Whirlpool's records show you previously contacted them about a wire harness issue, you are a "Prequalified Settlement Class Member" and will not need to submit additional proof that the issue occurred. You will still need to provide evidence of any out-of-pocket costs.
For future wire harness issues (problems that occur after May 5, 2026): contact Whirlpool or the settlement administrator within 90 days of discovering the issue.
Important Deadlines
Claim Deadline (Past Issues): November 2, 2026
Future Issues: Contact within 90 days of discovery (must be within 7 years of purchase)
Opt-Out Deadline: June 2, 2026
Objection Deadline: June 2, 2026
Final Approval Hearing: July 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET, U.S. District Court, District of Delaware, J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building, 844 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Important: Personal Injury Claims Are Not Affected
The settlement only covers economic losses related to the wire harness defect -- repair costs, replacement costs, and the diminished value of the refrigerator. If the wire harness issue caused personal injury or damage to property other than the refrigerator itself, those claims are not released by this settlement and you retain the right to pursue them separately.Settlement Notice PDF
Download the Full Settlement Notice (PDF)Case Information
Case: Costa v. Whirlpool Corp.
Case Number: No. 1:24-cv-00188-MN (D. Del.)
Court: U.S. District Court, District of Delaware
Judge: Hon. Maryellen Noreika
Defendant: Whirlpool Corp.
Brands Covered: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir
Models: Select side-by-side refrigerators manufactured 2018-2021 (check serial number at settlement website)
Defect: Wire harness failure causing ice maker, ice dispenser, water dispenser, and/or control panel to stop working
Benefits: Free repair, free parts, or 25%-75% cash reimbursement depending on timing
Claim Deadline (Past Issues): November 2, 2026
Future Issues: Contact within 90 days of discovery
Opt-Out / Objection Deadline: June 2, 2026
Final Approval Hearing: July 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET
Attorney Fees: Up to $2,810,000 (paid separately by Whirlpool, does not reduce class benefits)
Class Counsel: Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP
Claims Administrator: Costa v. Whirlpool Corp. Refrigerator Settlement, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Settlement Website: RefrigeratorSettlement.com
How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:Check Your Refrigerator and File a Claim: RefrigeratorSettlement.com
Check Your Serial Number and File a Claim
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please note that your claim form will be rejected if you submit a settlement claim for payout with any fraudulent information. By providing this information and your sworn statement of its veracity, you agree to do so under the penalty of perjury. You would also be harming others that actually qualify for the class action settlement. If you are not sure whether or not you qualify for this class action settlement, visit the class action administrator's website at RefrigeratorSettlement.com. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer advocacy and class action news site, and is not a class action administrator or a law firm.
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Pre-Qualify| Whirlpool Refrigerator Settlement Summary | |
| Status | Open -- Accepting Claims |
|---|---|
| Brands | Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir |
| Defect | Wire harness failure (ice maker, dispenser, control panel) |
| Benefits | Free repair, parts, or 25%-75% cash |
| Claim Deadline | November 2, 2026 (past issues) |
| Future Issues | 90 days after discovery |
| Opt-Out Deadline | June 2, 2026 |
| Hearing | July 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET |
| Website | Refrigerator Settlement |