Stainless French-door refrigerator in a white kitchen next to a range

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Known issue: Whirlpool / Maytag / KitchenAid three-door French-door 'frost clog' (fresh food warm, freezer OK)

A class settlement (Paperno v. Whirlpool, N.D. Cal., final approval May 13, 2025) covered certain Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid three-door French-door refrigerators built roughly 2012 to 2019 that may not fully defrost the fresh-food evaporator, so frost and ice block airflow and the fresh-food section stops cooling. Whirlpool denied wrongdoing. The settlement reimbursed documented evaporator repair or replacement costs within limits; reported claim deadlines were in 2025, so new claims are likely closed. The repeat-icing pattern is still common in the field.

Cross-checked ~90 min advancedBrands: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid

Before you start

Unplug the refrigerator before removing the evaporator cover or testing the heater and sensors.
Never chip ice off the evaporator with tools; a punctured evaporator is a sealed-system repair.
Any evaporator replacement, refrigerant leak repair or recharge is sealed-system work for an EPA 608-certified technician.

Diagnostic steps

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OnCall Tech is a reference tool for trained technicians and can make mistakes. Always disconnect power and confirm with the manufacturer's documentation before you work.

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