Frigidaire Minifridge Recall Expanded to Nearly 1 Million Units After Multiple Fire Reports
Curtis International expanded a recall of Frigidaire minifridges to about 964,000 units after reports of short-circuiting electrical components causing fires and burns. Owners are urged to stop using affected units immediately and register for a full refund.
- Scope: The recall now covers about 964,000 Frigidaire minifridges after adding ~330,000 units to the earlier action.
- Hazard: Internal electrical components can short-circuit and ignite the plastic housing, creating fire and burn risks.
- New model added: Frigidaire 6-can minifridges, model EFMIS121 (serials A2001–A2310), sold at Target from Jan 2020–Oct 2023.
- Consumer action: Unplug, cut the cord, mark the door “Recall,” dispose per local rules and register for a refund at the recall portal.
Main details and incidents
Curtis International (Canada-based) expanded the recall after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the company reviewed incident reports and test results. The company also posted details on its site: Curtis International recall information.
Numbers and incidents: The expansion adds roughly 330,000 units to an earlier recall of 634,000, bringing the total to about 964,000 units. For model EFMIS121, Curtis received at least six reports of fires causing property damage. The earlier recall included 26 reports of smoking, sparking, melting, overheating, or fires, two reports of smoke inhalation injuries and more than $700,000 in property damage.
Why the recall was expanded
The CPSC said testing and incident reports showed internal electrical components can short-circuit and ignite the surrounding plastic, producing a minifridge fire hazard. The agency flagged the risk after consumers reported incidents and after Curtis provided additional information to regulators.
Specific trigger: Regulators and Curtis added the EFMIS121 model after at least six fire reports tied to that model; investigators determined there was a continuing risk across multiple model lines.
Which products to check
Owners should look for Frigidaire on the fridge’s front and check the model/serial label on the back panel. The expansion covers Frigidaire 6-can minifridges, model EFMIS121, with serial numbers between A2001 and A2310. Earlier recall models included EFMIS129, EFMIS137, EFMIS149 and EFMIS175 in multiple colors; the CPSC pages list detailed serial-number ranges and photos for identification: CPSC recall (2026) and CPSC recall (2025).
Where they were sold
The expanded EFMIS121 model was sold exclusively at Target stores and Target.com in the U.S. between January 2020 and October 2023 for about $30. The earlier models were sold at retailers including Walmart, Amazon and other outlets. Media coverage, including Fox Business, confirmed the scope and distribution.
Consumer safety steps and refunds
Regulators and Curtis strongly advise owners to act immediately. Recommended steps:
- Unplug the fridge and cut the power cord so it cannot be plugged in again.
- Mark the door with the word “Recall” using a permanent marker.
- Dispose of the unit according to local/state solid-waste rules for appliances and plastics.
- Register for a full refund at the recall portal.
- Contact Curtis: 888-727-0198 (8 a.m.–12 a.m. ET, Mon–Fri) or recall@curtiscs.com.
- Report incidents to the CPSC at 800-638-2772 or via www.SaferProducts.gov.
Federal law prohibits the sale or rental of recalled products; retailers must remove recalled items from inventory and resale, and the CPSC enforces these requirements.
Company response and regulatory context
Curtis International posted recall details and is directing owners to the online registration page for refunds: Curtis recall page. The company is cooperating with the CPSC to notify consumers. The CPSC’s public notices provide official guidance and cite incident reports and testing performed during its review: CPSC recall notice.
Background and timeline
The initial recall in 2024 covered hundreds of thousands of units after reports of smoking, sparking and fires. Officials continued to track incident reports and test results; when additional reports and tests implicated the EFMIS121 model, Curtis expanded the recall to the current total of about 964,000 units. The recurring overheating and fire reports illustrate how a defect in a low-cost, widely distributed product can create an outsized safety problem.
Implications for California
Economic impact: Millions of inexpensive consumer items are common in California homes, dorms and small businesses. The recall may raise short-term costs for landlords, small businesses and renters who must replace or dispose of units. Retailers and waste facilities may see higher volumes of returns and disposal requests.
Political and social effects: State officials may press for stronger oversight of imported consumer electronics and clearer recycling rules. The recall disproportionately affects renters, students and lower-income residents who relied on inexpensive appliances; local fire departments and community groups can assist with outreach and safe disposal.
Practical advice: Californians should check model and serial numbers immediately, unplug affected units, inform landlords, and register for refunds at the recall portal. Report incidents to the CPSC at 800-638-2772 or via www.SaferProducts.gov.
For more information
To check serial numbers, view photos, and register for refunds, see the official notices and company page:
- CPSC recall (2026)
- CPSC recall (2025)
- Curtis International recall information
- www.recallrtr.com/minifridge
- Fox Business coverage
Reporting credits: Reporting includes material from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Curtis International recall notices, and media coverage.
