Hoover Frost Free Fridge Freezers safety notice
The affected appliances are Hoover frost-free fridge freezers manufactured between week 34 of 2011 and week 34 of 2012. The fault is in the defrost heater element, which can overheat and in certain circumstances cause a fire. Check your model number against the list below. If your model is listed, contact Hoover directly to arrange an inspection or modification.
Hoover has issued a safety notice warning that overheating can occur in certain frost-free fridge freezers and in some circumstances this could result in a fire. If you have a Hoover frost-free fridge freezer produced between week 34 of 2011 and week 34 of 2012, check whether your model is listed below and contact Hoover immediately if it is.
Frost-free refrigeration appliances contain a small heating element used to defrost the evaporator coil automatically. Hoover has identified a potential fault in this defrost heater – supplied to them by a component manufacturer – where overheating can occur. In certain circumstances this overheating could cause a fire.
Which Models Are Affected?
The following Hoover model numbers have been listed as affected. The affected units were manufactured between week 34 of 2011 and week 34 of 2012. Check the model number sticker on your appliance – usually found inside the fridge compartment on the side or rear wall.
HNC6185AE
HNC6185W
HNC6185WE
HNC6200A
HNC6200WE
The model numbers above reflect the affected list at the time of publication. Hoover may have added further models since then. Do not assume your appliance is safe if the model number does not appear here – contact Hoover directly to confirm, particularly if the appliance was manufactured between week 34 of 2011 and week 34 of 2012.
What to Do If Your Appliance Is Affected
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Locate the model number. The model number and serial number sticker is usually inside the fridge compartment, on the interior side wall or at the back. Note both the model number and the manufacture date or week.
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Contact Hoover. Hoover previously maintained a dedicated safety notice page and contact route for this issue. As is common after the initial publicity period, this page may no longer be active. Contact Hoover customer services directly, providing your model number and confirming the manufacture date falls within the affected period.
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Do not leave the appliance unattended overnight until it has been inspected. A fridge freezer with a known defrost heater fault presents a fire risk, particularly during the defrost cycle which may run in the early hours of the morning. Until an engineer has inspected and confirmed the appliance safe, exercise caution about leaving it running overnight or when the property is unoccupied.
Unlike a dishwasher or washing machine, a fridge freezer cannot simply be switched off while waiting for an engineer visit without the contents spoiling. This makes the decision more difficult – but be aware of the risk and consider whether the contents can be transferred to another appliance or ice boxes as a temporary measure if there is any concern.
Why Safety Notice Pages Disappear
Hoover previously had a dedicated page for this safety notice with full checking instructions and contact details. As is routine practice among appliance manufacturers, this page was removed once the initial media coverage of the notice subsided. This is a recurring problem – many people discover safety notices long after the original publicity, often when buying second-hand, moving house, or simply researching an older appliance. The removal of safety pages means this information is no longer readily available from the manufacturer at the point when a new owner might need it most.
If Hoover’s safety information is not accessible online, contact their customer service team directly. Persistence may be required – explain clearly that you have a model within the affected production period and request written confirmation of whether your specific unit has been modified.
All Appliance Safety Notices
Related Safety Notices and Guides
Hotpoint Fridge Freezer Safety NoticeA separate fire risk safety notice affecting certain Hotpoint fridge freezer models.
Beko Fridge Freezer Safety NoticeFire risk safety notice affecting certain Beko fridge freezer models.
8 Ways to Make Appliances SaferPractical steps every household can take to reduce fire, flood, and electrical risks from large appliances.
How Dangerous Are Our Appliances?An honest assessment of the fire and electrical risks from domestic white goods and refrigeration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the fire risk in affected Hoover fridge freezers?
The fault is in the defrost heater element. Frost-free fridge freezers contain a small heating element that runs periodically to prevent ice build-up on the evaporator coil. In affected units, a fault in this heater – identified as a component supply issue – can cause it to overheat, which in certain circumstances may lead to a fire.
How do I find the model number on my Hoover fridge freezer?
The model number and serial number are usually on a sticker inside the fridge compartment – on the interior side wall or at the back. The sticker typically also shows the manufacture date or production week. Note both the model number and the manufacture date when checking against the affected list.
The Hoover safety notice page is no longer available – what should I do?
Contact Hoover customer services directly, providing your model number and the manufacture date. Explain that you are enquiring about the frost-free fridge freezer defrost heater safety notice from 2012. Request written confirmation of whether your specific unit has been inspected and modified. Persistence may be needed as the safety programme may no longer be actively managed.
Can I keep using the fridge freezer while waiting for an engineer?
This is a difficult decision because switching off a fridge freezer causes food to spoil. If your model is confirmed as affected and has not been modified, consider whether food can be transferred to another appliance or cooled storage temporarily. At minimum, be cautious about leaving the appliance running overnight or when the property is unoccupied until it has been inspected.
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