Gonzalez v. Maytag Appliances

Household Products & Appliances · Filed 2025-12-03 · U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas · Docket 3:26-cv-95860

What the company is alleged to have done

The complaint alleges Maytag Appliances sold the affected appliances knowing of a defect that posed property damage and safety risks to consumers. Internal manufacturing records, the complaint alleges, documented the defect years before the recall.

Class members include both the original purchasers and subsequent owners who paid for related repairs. The settlement also addresses property damage caused by the defective appliance — for example, water damage from a leaky washer, smoke damage from a fire-prone microwave, or food spoilage from a failed refrigerator.

Who qualifies as a class member

You are likely an eligible class member if all of the following apply:

• You purchased one of the affected Maytag Appliances appliances in the United States during the class period.
• Your model and serial number appear on the affected list (lookup tool on the administrator's site).
• You experienced the defect or paid for a related repair, OR you simply own a covered serial number.
• If you are claiming property damage, you have invoices or photographs documenting the damage.

If you fit all of the criteria above, you almost certainly have a valid claim. If you only fit some of them — for example, you used the product in a different timeframe, or you don’t have proof of purchase — you may still qualify under the settlement’s “self-attestation” rules.

How much can I receive?

Three benefits are available: (1) a free repair or replacement of the defective appliance through Maytag Appliances's service network; (2) a base cash payment to all verified class members; and (3) reimbursement up to a defined cap for documented property damage caused by the defect.

Total settlement value: $42M. Estimated number of class members: 42 million. Most class members will receive their payout by check or electronic transfer within four to nine months after the court grants final approval.

How to file your claim (step-by-step)

1. Look up your appliance's serial number on the settlement administrator's site.
2. Gather invoices for any repairs or property damage caused by the defect.
3. Submit the claim form online with photographs and invoices.
4. Schedule a free repair or replacement through the manufacturer's authorized service network.
5. Choose your preferred payment method for any cash reimbursement.

Why this matters

Appliance-defect cases recover money for the property damage that defective equipment causes — losses that owners would otherwise absorb because individual lawsuits are not economically viable.

In a real settlement of this kind, you would file directly with the court-appointed administrator at no cost. For a deeper walkthrough of the federal class-action timeline, read our guide on what happens after you submit a claim form.

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