I think this is very important for anyone who has purchased one of these models of fridges because many have purchased these and the problem should be resolved as soon as possible.
It's a well known problem and now finally they have recalled it.
They were sold all over Canada and the US.

This is a C/P from hxxps://repair.maytag.com/prjjck/refrigerator.jsp

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at hxxp://www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of Product: Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators

Units: About 1.6 million

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator's compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side by side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:



Side by Side Refrigerators

Serial Numbers ENDING with

AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR, AT, AV, AX, CA, CC, CE, CG, CJ, CL, ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW, ZY, ZZ

AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with

ARS, CS, JC, JS, MS, MZ, PS

Top Freezer Refrigerators

Serial Numbers ENDING with

AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR, AT, AV, AX, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW, ZY, ZZ

AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with

AT, CT, MT, PT


Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.


Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between about $350 and $1600.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at
(866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at Hxxp://www.repair.maytag.com.