If your fridge has ever turned your leafy greens into ice bricks or left your milk suspiciously warm, it wasn’t just a kitchen inconvenience—it might actually be worth money.

A recent class action settlement could mean up to $300 cash back for people who bought a Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag refrigerator between 2012 and 2019.

And the best part? Filing takes just a few minutes and no receipts are required.



Whirlpool Corporation—the appliance heavyweight behind Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag—has agreed to settle a lawsuit claiming certain refrigerators were prone to excessive frost build-up. The frost forms on the evaporator and can cause your fridge to stop cooling properly.

The result? Spoiled food, surprise repairs, and possibly even a total appliance failure.

While Whirlpool denies any wrongdoing, they’ve agreed to compensate customers who were affected. So if you've experienced this issue—or even if you haven't yet—you could be owed money.

Are you eligible? Here’s how to find out​

You may qualify if you purchased a Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag fridge between 2012 and 2019. The settlement applies to a range of models, and checking your eligibility is easy:

1. Locate your serial number – Look inside your fridge (often near the crisper drawer or side wall).
2. Visit the official settlement website – Plug in your model and serial number to confirm eligibility.

If your unit qualifies, you're just a few clicks away from a possible cash payout.

What can you claim?​

Your compensation depends on when the frost issue occurred:

• Up to $300 for past repairs or replacements related to frost buildup.
• 75% of the fridge’s original purchase price if the problem occurred within 1–3 years of purchase.
• Future problems are covered, too. If you experience frost issues after January 31, 2025, you can still file a claim later and receive the same benefits.

Even if your fridge hasn't had issues yet, you're still eligible to register.

Missed the fine print? Here’s what else you should know:

• The deadline to object or exclude yourself from the settlement passed on March 21.
• The final court approval was granted on May 13.
• As long as you submit your claim by June 18, you’re still eligible for compensation.

You could be eligible for more than one payout. For instance, shoppers who received unwanted promotional texts from DSW Shoe Warehouse between September 1, 2018, and September 1, 2024—even after asking them to stop—can claim about $70 from a separate $4,429,180 million settlement.

It’s worth taking a few minutes to see what else you qualify for. A handful of quick claims can turn into real money.

More like this:

• $5.4 million drug settlement opens claims for eligible payers in 29 states
• Don’t miss out: You could get up to $1,000 from this $14 million robocall settlement—here’s how to claim it

If you’ve had trouble with a frosty fridge—or already filed a claim—we want to hear about it. Have tips or questions for others? Drop a comment below and join the conversation. And don’t forget to share this article with anyone who might have one of these fridges in their kitchen.