Galanz Americas has recalled about 121,680 retro-style refrigerators after federal regulators said the units were linked to 34 reported fires, including one fire that resulted in a fatality, according to a local fire department report.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on July 30, saying internal electrical components in the recalled refrigerators can short circuit and ignite. The agency identified the hazard as a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.
For appliance retailers, servicers and warranty teams, the recall is a reminder that compact and specialty refrigerators can still create high-stakes safety exposure years after sale. The affected models were sold through major national channels, including Home Depot stores nationwide and Amazon.com.
Which Refrigerators Are Included
The recall covers Galanz Retro Refrigerators with date codes ranging from December 2018 through December 2020 and one of five model numbers: BCD-215V-62H, GLR76TRDER, GLR76TBKER, GLR76TBEER or GLR76TWEER.
The refrigerators were sold in black, blue, red and white. CPSC described them as 7.6-cubic-foot retro-style units measuring about 58 inches high, 24 inches deep and 21 inches wide, with a separate top freezer door and “Galanz” printed on the front.
The model number and date code are printed on a white label on the upper left-hand corner on the back of the unit. CPSC said only refrigerators with the listed model numbers and the covered date-code range are included.
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What Consumers Are Told to Do
Consumers should unplug and stop using the recalled refrigerators immediately until they are repaired. Galanz is offering a free in-home repair by a qualified technician, according to the recall notice.
Consumers can contact Galanz Americas at 888-462-0579 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, by email at [email protected], or through the company’s recall website.
- Product: Galanz Retro Refrigerators
- Recall number: 26-649
- Units affected: About 121,680
- Remedy: Free in-home repair
Retail and Service Implications
The recall involves products sold from January 2019 to September 2022 for about $330 to $520. That sales window means many affected units may now be in secondary residences, dorms, vacation rentals, garages or other locations where recall notices can be easier to miss.
Retailers and customer-service teams may need to be prepared for consumers who no longer have proof of purchase or who bought affected units through online marketplaces. Servicers should also be alert to the specific model numbers and date-code range before handling any repair request tied to a Galanz retro refrigerator.
The recall also carries an important resale warning. CPSC notes that federal law prohibits selling products that are subject to a commission-ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the agency.
Manufacturer and Importer Details
The refrigerators were manufactured in China by Zhongshan Galanz. CPSC lists the importers as Home Depot, of Georgia, and Galanz Americas Limited Company, of New Jersey.
The affected refrigerators were sold at Home Depot stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com. The breadth of those channels makes this a recall that could reach a wide range of consumers, including those who bought the units for secondary or non-kitchen use.
