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CPSC recall · Reported August 2, 2012

Sears Recalls Kenmore® Dehumidifiers Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Recall #
12240
Affected scope
About 795,000
Verify with CPSC →
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Lg Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China recalled This recall involves 35-, 50- and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front … - a moderate-severity action.

Sears Recalls Kenmore® Dehumidifiers Due to Fire and Burn Hazards was recalled by Lg Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China in August 2, 2012. Reason: The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.. Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm t…. Verify recall #12240 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Lg Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers..

Moderate
severity level
August 2, 2012
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #12240 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #12240) was formally reported on August 2, 2012. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Lg Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 795,000.

The documented reason for this recall is: The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Appliances recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 419 appliances recalls on record

0102030405060 20052008201120142017202020232026 9
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 795,000

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

This recall involves 35-, 50- and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit, manufactured between 2003 and 2005. The dehumidifiers are made of white plastic and are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide and about 13.5 inches in depth. They have fan and humidity controls on their top front panels and some models include remote controls. They come with front-loading water buckets. The model number can be found on the right side of the interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed. Recalled units have the following model numbers: 35-pint (2004) - 580.54351400 50-pint (2003) - 580.53509300 70-pint (2003) - 580.53701300 70-pint (2004) - 580.54701400 70-pint (2005) - 580.54701500

Reason for recall

The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier. In lieu of a gift card, consumers may request a check for the refund amount. All consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 12240
Date reported August 2, 2012
Date initiated August 2, 2012
Recalling firm Lg Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China
Affected scope About 795,000
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $…

  • Check the recall number (12240) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves 35-, 50- and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit, manufactured between 2003 and 2005. The dehumidifiers are made of white plastic and are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide and about 13.5 inches in depth. They have fan and humidity controls on their top front panels and some models include remote controls. They come with front-loading water buckets. The model number can be found on the right side of the interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed. Recalled units have the following model numbers: 35-pint (2004) - 580.54351400 50-pint (2003) - 580.53509300 70-pint (2003) - 580.53701300 70-pint (2004) - 580.54701400 70-pint (2005) - 580.54701500. Recalled by Lg Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China. Units affected: About 795,000.
Why was this product recalled?
The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier. In lieu of a gift card, consumers may request a check for the refund amount. All consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on August 2, 2012. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 12240.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (12240) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported August 2, 2012. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.