Frigidaire Ovens Exploding at Night While Owners Sleep, 900+ Complaints, Glass Shooting Across Kitchens
A class action lawsuit claims Frigidaire oven doors spontaneously explode without warning, shooting hot glass fragments several feet across kitchens. The 92-page complaint alleges 30-inch Frigidaire ranges contain defective glass made with cheap materials that shatter whether the oven is on or off. Over 900 complaints have been filed since 2011. A Virginia woman’s oven door exploded at 3 AM while she slept—Frigidaire offered her a 10% discount coupon. No recall has been issued despite nearly 14 years of reports.
What the Lawsuit Alleges About Exploding Frigidaire Oven Doors
The proposed class action alleges that the glass window built into certain Frigidaire oven doors is dangerously defective and can spontaneously explode and shatter without external impact or misuse.
The 92-page defective product lawsuit contends the Frigidaire window defect affects several 30-inch cooking range models manufactured by Electrolux, and has been noted in hundreds of consumer reports across online forums, customer reviews, and the defendant’s website.
The lawsuit claims Electrolux knows about the defect but continues selling ovens for $1,000 to $2,500 without issuing a recall, choosing instead to replace individual units after they explode.
The Virginia Woman Whose Oven Exploded While She Slept
The plaintiff, a Virginia resident, bought a Frigidaire oven in December 2020 for over $700 with additional purchases including a $160 5-year protection plan, $26 power cord, and $25 removal fee.
Less than four years later, she woke up in the middle of the night to an “explosion” sound in her kitchen and found the glass door of her oven had shattered.
Despite her warranty coverage, Frigidaire denied the existence of any defect, shifted blame to consumer use, and the company’s final offer was a 10-percent discount coupon to replace the broken glass door.
Replacing just the glass costs $150 to $200. Buying a new oven costs $700 to $2,500.
Over 900 Complaints Filed Since 2011
Despite 900+ complaints involving glass shattering on Frigidaire ovens and other brands, the appliances are not listed on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list.
Consumer Product Safety Commission records from 2011 to 2022 show more than 214 complaints about this issue involving Frigidaire or its parent company, Electrolux.
After nearly 14 years and hundreds of complaints posted online or filed directly with governmental entities, Electrolux continues to manufacture Frigidaire ovens with the defect and refuses to issue a recall.
What Causes Frigidaire Oven Doors to Explode
The defect allegedly stems from a poor, cheap composition of materials used to make the glass, namely the inclusion of Nickel Sulphide into the soda lime glass window—a “less expensive” material that reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal shock resistance, supposedly to cut manufacturing costs.
Tempered glass is designed to withstand high temperatures, but experts say oven glass may spontaneously explode due to damage during transit, improper installation, or manufacturing errors.
Attorneys suspect the shattering issue may be related to self-cleaning mode and the use of tempered glass that’s not able to withstand the extreme temperature.
The glass is designed to break into rounded fragments rather than large shards. However, these fragments can still cause cuts, eye injuries, and burns—especially when propelled several feet at high velocity.
Doors Explode Whether Oven Is On or Off
What makes these incidents particularly alarming is that many happen when ovens aren’t being used.
“We hear this loud explosion. Like, what is that?” Willie Mae Truesdale said. She found the outside glass on her oven shattered in pieces. “It was shocking and you had to really see it to believe it.”
What was even more surprising: It happened when her oven was not even turned on. “It wasn’t hot, because the stove was not on but all here this was full of shattered glass,” Truesdale said.
One consumer reported: “At 8:45pm the front glass of the oven door shattered into sheets, shards, and pieces. Glass continued to pop and disintegrate after hitting the floor. The glass prior to shattering had no obvious cracks or fissures nor was any blunt force applied to it. It seemed to break for no apparent reason”.
Another consumer reported hearing a loud boom while their oven was set to 375°F. Upon inspection, the outer glass had shattered. Fortunately, no one was nearby, preventing injury.
Which Frigidaire Oven Models Are Affected
The 92-page lawsuit contends the defect affects several 30-inch cooking range models manufactured by Electrolux.
Specific models with reported incidents include:
Frigidaire FCRE3052ASA – Multiple consumers reported the exterior glass door unexpectedly shattering while in use
Frigidaire FCRE3052ASG – The front door spontaneously exploded despite the appliance not being in use
Frigidaire FCFE3062ASH – The interior glass suddenly and violently exploded during the inaugural use while preheating to 350 degrees, propelling shattered glass inside the oven and outwards into the kitchen
However, attorneys are looking at all types of ovens including Kenmore, GE, Whirlpool, LG, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, and Electrolux, as their doors may have been manufactured by the same company or companies.
What Injuries Have Consumers Suffered
When a Frigidaire oven window explodes, it can shoot glass fragments several feet in the vicinity of the product, and the oven is “rendered entirely useless” due to its inability to trap in heat.
“This window is predisposed to violently burst, without warning or action on the part of the user, and when shattering during use, can send shards of burning hot glass flying,” the complaint says.
Injuries from exploding oven glass include:
- Deep cuts and lacerations from flying glass shards
- Eye injuries from glass fragments
- Burns from hot glass pieces
- Smoke inhalation
- Emotional distress and trauma
The primary danger is the risk of severe lacerations from flying glass shards propelled with considerable force and heat, potentially causing deep cuts, eye injuries, and other trauma to anyone in the vicinity.
Property damage includes:
- Damaged kitchen floors with embedded glass
- Scratched countertops
- Damaged adjacent appliances
- Ruined food inside oven
- Cost of replacing oven ($700-$2,500)
What Electrolux Says About the Problem
In a statement, Electrolux says: “Electrolux takes the safety of its products seriously. Although infrequent, glass used in oven doors may break. As a precaution and as required by household cooking standards UL 825 and ANSI Z21.1, the glass is designed to break into fragments with rounded edges if a failure does occur”.
“Within the first year of purchase, failure in the glass may be due to imperfections in the glass and would be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Following the first year of purchase, failure in the glass has been typically due to damage caused during use”.
Electrolux blames consumers, claiming damage is “frequently caused by using the door to push in the oven rack or by an object accidentally hitting the interior or exterior glass. Both examples may cause a weakness that could lead to failure over time”.
However, hundreds of consumers report their doors exploded without any impact, misuse, or even when the oven was off.
Why No Recall Has Been Issued
Despite 900+ complaints over 14 years, the appliances are not listed on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list.
Rather than issue a recall, Frigidaire continues to sell its ovens for anywhere between $1,000 and $2,500, opting instead to replace units after they’ve exhibited the defect rather than preemptively inspecting them.
The CPSC is aware of the problem—several complaints about Frigidaire stoves and other brand-named ovens experiencing the same issue can be found on SaferProducts.gov—but has not mandated a recall.
Electrolux has issued recalls for other Frigidaire defects:
- Fire hazards from defective control boards
- Electrical shock hazards from rear-controlled ranges
- Gas leaks from cooktop knobs
- Burn hazards from potentiometer issues
But no recall for exploding oven doors.
Who Filed the Lawsuit and What They’re Seeking
The Frigidaire glass door class action lawsuit looks to cover all United States residents who own or owned a Frigidaire oven during the fullest period allowed by law.
The lawsuit alleges violations of:
- Consumer protection laws
- Breach of express and implied warranties
- Unjust enrichment
- Common law fraud
- Strict product liability for defective design
- Negligence in manufacturing
- Failure to warn
The plaintiffs are seeking:
- Compensatory damages for oven replacements
- Property damage reimbursement
- Medical expenses for injuries
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Punitive damages
- Injunctive relief requiring Electrolux to fix the defect
- Full refunds or replacements for all affected ovens
Multiple law firms are investigating, including Ahdoot & Wolfson, Migliaccio & Rathod LLP, and others.
Can You Join the Lawsuit
If your Frigidaire oven door exploded, you may automatically be part of the class if the court certifies it as a class action.
You don’t need to do anything to join when a class action is initially filed—you’re automatically included if you meet the class definition.
However, you should:
Document your incident immediately:
- Take photos and videos of the shattered glass
- Photograph the damage to your floor, counters, and other property
- Keep all pieces of the broken glass if possible
- Save your original purchase receipt
- Keep warranty documents
- Document any medical treatment for injuries
Report to authorities:
- File a complaint with the CPSC at www.saferproducts.gov or call 800-638-2772
- Report the incident to Frigidaire customer service and document their response
- Get their claim number and save all correspondence
Contact a lawyer:
- Multiple law firms are investigating this issue
- Consultation is usually free
- You may be able to pursue individual claims for significant injuries
What Should Frigidaire Oven Owners Do Right Now
Inspect your oven door immediately:
Look for any cracks, chips, or damage to the glass (inner or outer layers). If you see any damage, stop using the oven immediately.
Check your model number:
Find the model number on the frame of the drawer at the bottom when you open it. Compare it to models with reported incidents.
Take safety precautions:
- Never lean close to the oven door while it’s hot
- Keep children and pets away from the oven
- Don’t use excessive force when opening or closing the door
- Avoid bumping the glass with pots, pans, or oven racks
- Don’t place heavy items on the oven door when it’s open
Consider these options:
Option 1 – Stop using the oven: The safest option until the defect is resolved. Use your stovetop, microwave, toaster oven, or outdoor grill instead.
Option 2 – Continue using with extreme caution: Keep children and pets out of the kitchen when oven is on. Never stand directly in front of the oven door. Consider wearing safety glasses when checking food.
Option 3 – Replace the oven: Buy a different brand. Keep all documentation if you want to join the lawsuit for reimbursement.
If Your Oven Door Explodes
Immediate safety steps:
- Don’t approach the oven if it’s still on—turn off the breaker from a distance if possible
- Move all people and pets away from the area
- Don’t walk barefoot—wear sturdy shoes to avoid glass shards
- If the oven was hot, let the area cool before approaching
Wear protective gear before cleanup:
- Thick work gloves
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Long sleeves and pants
- Closed-toe shoes
Document everything:
- Take photos before cleaning anything
- Video the entire scene
- Photograph all damage
- Save all glass pieces in a box
Get medical attention if needed:
- Deep cuts requiring stitches
- Glass embedded in skin
- Eye injuries
- Burns from hot glass
- Any trauma that might need treatment
Preserve evidence:
- Don’t throw away the oven
- Keep all broken glass pieces
- Save the box the replacement glass came in if you ordered one
- Keep all receipts
Legal Rights If You Were Injured
You may have multiple legal claims:
Product liability – Strict liability: Manufacturers are strictly liable for defective products that cause injury, regardless of fault. You don’t need to prove Electrolux was negligent—just that the product was defective and caused your injury.
Product liability – Design defect: The lawsuit alleges the oven door design is inherently dangerous because it uses cheap materials that can’t withstand normal temperature changes.
Product liability – Manufacturing defect: If your specific oven door had a flaw introduced during manufacturing, even if the design is safe.
Product liability – Failure to warn: Electrolux failed to warn consumers that oven doors could spontaneously explode without warning or misuse.
Breach of warranty: If your oven was under warranty and Electrolux refused to cover the exploding door, they may have breached the warranty.
Negligence: Electrolux may have been negligent in designing, manufacturing, testing, or inspecting the ovens.
What Compensation You Might Get
If you join the class action:
Class actions typically result in settlements where class members receive:
- Partial refunds ($100-$500 common)
- Free repairs or replacements
- Extended warranties
- Coupons for future purchases
Class action settlements rarely cover full replacement costs unless the case results in a large verdict at trial.
If you pursue individual claims:
You can recover:
- Full cost of oven replacement
- All property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages if you can prove Electrolux knew about the defect and concealed it
Individual claims are worth pursuing if you suffered:
- Significant injuries requiring medical treatment
- Property damage over $5,000
- Emotional trauma requiring counseling
Statute of Limitations for Filing Claims
You have limited time to file a lawsuit:
Product liability claims: 2-4 years from the date of injury, depending on your state
Breach of warranty claims: 4 years from the date of purchase in most states
Personal injury claims: 1-3 years from the date of injury, depending on your state
If your oven door exploded but you weren’t injured, your claim might be limited to property damage and economic losses. These claims typically have shorter statute of limitations periods.
Don’t wait—evidence deteriorates, memories fade, and you risk missing your filing deadline.
How This Compares to Other Appliance Defect Lawsuits
Exploding glass appliance doors are not unique to Frigidaire:
Kenmore ovens: Reports indicate the exploding glass problem is particularly prevalent in Kenmore ovens, with one owner reporting: “For the third time our Kenmore Elite Oven has had the outer glass blow out across the kitchen floor when it was either on or recently had been used”.
Maytag washers: Similar lawsuits alleged washing machine glass doors exploded during use.
Samsung ranges: Class actions filed over exploding glass cooktops.
These cases typically settle for $50-$200 per class member, with larger individual payments for those with documented injuries.
The key difference: Frigidaire has known about this problem for nearly 14 years but continues manufacturing ovens with the defect and refuses to issue a recall.
This could support punitive damages claims if the case goes to trial.
Warning Signs Your Oven Door Might Explode
Watch for these red flags:
Visual damage:
- Small cracks or chips in the glass (inner or outer layer)
- Scratches or pitting on the glass surface
- Discoloration or clouding of the glass
- Stress marks around the edges
Performance issues:
- Oven not maintaining consistent temperature
- Door doesn’t close properly
- Unusual creaking or popping sounds when heating
- Door feels loose or wobbly
Usage patterns that increase risk:
- Frequent use of self-cleaning mode (extreme temperatures)
- Rapid temperature changes (putting cold dishes in hot oven)
- Slamming the door shut
- Using the door to push racks back
If you notice any of these signs, stop using the oven immediately.
Alternatives to Frigidaire Ovens
If you’re replacing your oven, consider these brands with better safety records:
GE Profile series – Reliable and no widespread glass door issues
Bosch 800 series – High-quality tempered glass, excellent build quality
KitchenAid ranges – Solid reputation, fewer consumer complaints
Samsung ranges – Modern features, though some models had glass cooktop issues
LG ranges – Good reliability ratings
Avoid buying used Frigidaire ovens until the defect is resolved. If you’re renting and your landlord provides a Frigidaire oven with a damaged door, request immediate replacement for safety.
Resources for Frigidaire Oven Owners
Report Your Incident:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Website: www.saferproducts.gov Phone: 800-638-2772 (Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm ET)
Contact Frigidaire:
Frigidaire Customer Service Phone: 1-877-435-4744 Website: www.frigidaire.com
Document all conversations and save claim numbers.
Law Firms Investigating:
Multiple law firms are accepting cases:
- Ahdoot & Wolfson, PC
- Migliaccio & Rathod LLP
- Law Offices of Jason Turchin
Most offer free consultations for potential class members.
Legal Information:
ClassAction.org – Latest updates on the lawsuit www.classaction.org
Your state attorney general’s consumer protection division can also provide guidance and may accept complaints.
This article provides information about an ongoing lawsuit and safety concerns regarding Frigidaire ovens. It is not legal advice. If you were injured by an exploding oven door, consult with a qualified product liability attorney about your specific situation.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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