Whirlpool Costa Side by Side Wire Harness Defect Settlement, Your Ice Maker Stopped Working Whirlpool’s Broken Wire Harness Settlement

Whirlpool Corporation agreed to settle a nationwide class action lawsuit involving an alleged wire harness defect in certain side-by-side refrigerators it manufactured between 2018 and 2021 under the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air brand names. Plaintiffs alleged the refrigerators contain defective wire harnesses running to the in-door ice maker, ice dispenser, water dispenser, and control panel that can break under normal use, rendering one or more of those features completely inoperable. The case is Costa v. Whirlpool Corp. If your freezer door features stopped working within seven years of purchase, you may be owed a free repair, a discounted repair, or a cash reimbursement — but the deadline for past issues is November 2, 2026.

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$2,810,000 (attorneys’ fees cap) + open-ended repair/cash fund
Claim Deadline (past issues)	November 2, 2026
Claim Deadline (future issues)	90 days after you discover the problem
Who Qualifies	Owners of qualifying Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, or JennAir side-by-side fridges made 2018–2021
Payout Per Person	Varies — up to 75% of repair cost or 50% of replacement cost
Proof Required	Yes — model/serial number, purchase proof, repair receipts
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved — fairness hearing July 9, 2026
Administrator	Angeion Group
Official Website	refrigeratorsettlement.com
Case Number	1:24-cv-00188-MN (D. Del.)

Where things stand right now:

• On March 3, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware granted preliminary approval to the settlement.
• The court scheduled a fairness hearing for July 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building, 844 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
• The exclusion (opt-out) deadline is June 2, 2026. The claim deadline for past wire harness issues is November 2, 2026. Future issues that arise after May 5, 2026, must be submitted within 90 days of discovery.

What Was Wrong With These Refrigerators

The wire harnesses inside the freezer door of affected models were designed to flex every time the door opens and closes. Plaintiffs alleged the wires are made with materials that cause them to fray or break quickly with normal use, eventually rendering the ice maker, water dispenser, or control panel completely inoperable.

Whirlpool had known of the defect for years based on consumer complaints on social media and public forums, and those complaints had prompted communications with repair technicians and service representatives, according to the lawsuit. Plaintiffs also alleged the defect creates a safety risk because broken and frayed wires leave exposed, live electrical wiring inside the door.

The plaintiffs claimed Whirlpool breached warranties, was negligent, and concealed the defect. Whirlpool denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risks of continued litigation and a possible trial.

Which Refrigerators Are Covered

To qualify, you must have purchased a new qualifying side-by-side refrigerator for residential use between 2018 and 2021, acquired one as part of a home purchase or remodel, or received one as a gift from someone who bought it from Whirlpool or an authorized reseller.

The four brands covered are Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and JennAir. Not every model from those brands qualifies — only specific side-by-side configurations with the defective wire harness. The FAQs on the settlement website list qualifying model numbers, and class members can verify eligibility by entering their refrigerator’s serial number into the check-eligibility tool at refrigeratorsettlement.com.

How Much You Can Receive — The Full Payout Breakdown

Your reimbursement percentage depends on two things: how many years had passed since your fridge’s in-service date when the wire broke, and whether you reported the issue to Whirlpool or a retailer beforehand. Notifying Whirlpool earns you a higher reimbursement rate in every category.

If you already paid for a repair or replacement (past out-of-pocket costs):

Years Since In-Service Date	Repair Cost — Notified Whirlpool	Repair Cost — Did Not Notify	Replacement Cost — Notified	Replacement Cost — Did Not Notify
2–4 years	75%	65%	50%	45%
5 years	60%	50%	40%	35%
6–7 years	45%	35%	30%	25%

If your wire harness is broken but you have not yet repaired or replaced it (preexisting issue not yet fixed before May 5, 2026):

Years Since In-Service Date	Repair Benefit	Cash Reimbursement on New Fridge
2–3 years	Free repair (parts + labor)	50% of replacement cost
4 years	Free repair (parts + labor)	40% of replacement cost
5 years	Discounted repair (parts only, you pay labor)	40% of replacement cost
6–7 years	Discounted repair (parts only, you pay labor)	30% of replacement cost

Class members may be entitled to claim up to 50% of the original purchase price as cash compensation, or a free repair, depending on their situation.

If your wire harness breaks after May 5, 2026: Class members who experience a wire harness issue after May 5, 2026, are eligible for the same benefits as class members with preexisting issues. You must file within 90 days of discovering the problem. For repair service on future failures, contact Whirlpool directly at 1-844-667-2929 or [email protected].

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What You Need to File and How to Do It

Proof is required for this settlement. Gather these documents before you start:

• Model number and serial number of your refrigerator (found on the inside door frame label)
• Proof of purchase — receipt, credit card statement, or warranty registration
• Proof of the wire harness failure — service tickets, repair estimates, receipts, photos with date stamps, or written communications with Whirlpool or the retailer
• Proof of payment if you are claiming reimbursement for a repair or replacement already paid
• Proof of the original purchase price if claiming reimbursement for a full replacement
• Proof you notified Whirlpool or a retailer about the issue, if you want the higher reimbursement rate

Once you have those documents ready:

1. Visit refrigeratorsettlement.com/submit-claim to file online
2. Or download the PDF claim form from the settlement documents page and complete it by hand
3. Mail paper claims to: Whirlpool Refrigerator Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103
4. Submit by November 2, 2026 for issues that occurred before May 5, 2026
5. Save your confirmation number or mailing receipt

Payment options once approved: Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or paper check.

Estimated time to complete: 15–25 minutes, depending on how many documents you need to locate.

Key Dates

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit Filed	February 2024
Preliminary Approval Granted	March 3, 2026
Opt-Out (Exclusion) Deadline	June 2, 2026
Fairness Hearing	July 9, 2026
Claim Deadline — Past Issues	November 2, 2026
Claim Deadline — Future Issues	90 days after discovery
Expected Payment Date	After claim processing + final court approval

Frequently Asked Questions

My ice maker stopped working years ago but I never filed a complaint. Can I still claim it?

 Yes. Class members who experienced a wire harness issue between two and seven years after the refrigerator in-service date can submit a claim for partial cash reimbursement even without prior notification to Whirlpool — though notifying Whirlpool would have earned a higher rate. The November 2, 2026 deadline applies to all past issues.

How do I know if my specific model is covered? 

The FAQs on the settlement website list qualifying model numbers, and you can verify eligibility by entering your refrigerator’s serial number into the check-eligibility tool at refrigeratorsettlement.com. Your model and serial number appear on a label on the inside frame of the refrigerator door.

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?

 No. The online claim form at refrigeratorsettlement.com walks you through every step. You need your purchase records and evidence of the wire harness failure — no attorney required.

Is this settlement legitimate?

 Yes. The case is Costa v. Whirlpool Corp., case number 1:24-cv-00188-MN, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Class counsel is Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP, and the settlement administrator is Angeion Group. The official settlement website is refrigeratorsettlement.com.

When will I receive my payment? 

The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants after it completes claim processing and the court grants final approval of the settlement. The fairness hearing is July 9, 2026. Assuming no appeals, payments could begin in late 2026.

What if I already got a free repair from Whirlpool directly?

 If Whirlpool previously compensated you voluntarily, your settlement reimbursement may be reduced by that amount. You can still file a claim — the administrator will calculate the net amount owed based on what you already received.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Product defect reimbursements that simply restore your out-of-pocket costs are generally not taxable income. However, if the payment exceeds your actual documented expenses, the excess may be taxable. Consult a tax professional if your situation is complex.

What if my wire harness breaks after I file my claim? 

Class members who experience a wire harness issue after May 5, 2026, are eligible for the same repair and cash reimbursement benefits as class members with preexisting issues. You must file a separate claim within 90 days of discovering the new problem.

Sources

• Official Settlement Website — refrigeratorsettlement.com

Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.