Target Mini Fridge Lawsuit Update: Injuries, Recall Status, and Legal Options

The Consumer Product Safety Commission expanded a recall of Target-exclusive Frigidaire-brand fridges on January 15, 2026. Curtis International Ltd. added about 330,000 red, six-can EFMIS121 units. Target sold them at Target stores and Target.com from January 2020 through October 2023. Internal electrical parts in the EFMIS121 fridge can short circuit. This can ignite the plastic housing. Serial numbers A2001 through A2310, on a rear label, identify the recalled units. Consumers who still own one of these fridges should stop using it right away. They should also register for a refund. Neither this recall nor the July 2025 recall of similar Frigidaire-brand fridges has been withdrawn or closed.

Latest Target Mini Fridges Recall Updates

April 9, 2026: Insurer Sues Electrolux over a Minifridge Fire

Westfield Insurance Company sued Electrolux Consumer Products, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, seeking to recover costs it paid after a fire involving a similar Frigidaire-brand fridge, case number 0:26-cv-02195 [1]. This subrogation case does not cover the Target-exclusive EFMIS121 units in the recall below. The case is assigned to Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel, and no ruling has been issued yet.

February 27, 2026: Class Action Targets Curtis International’s Recall Response

Elena Nacarino filed a proposed class action against Curtis International Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, case number 4:26-cv-01736 [2]. The suit says the July 2025 refund-only fix did not solve the short-circuit risk in every unit. As of this recall’s own facts, Curtis International has not been sued specifically over the Target-exclusive EFMIS121 expansion covered here.

January 15, 2026: CPSC Expands the Frigidaire Minifridge Recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Curtis International expanded its recall. The expansion adds about 330,000 red, Target-exclusive Frigidaire EFMIS121 fridges [3]. The units fall in the A2001-A2310 serial range. Curtis International has received at least six reports of these units catching fire, each with property damage. The firm tells consumers to stop use right away. The remedy is a refund through Curtis International’s recall website.

July 24, 2025: Curtis International’s Original Frigidaire Recall

CPSC first recalled about 634,000 Frigidaire-brand fridges. The models were EFMIS129, EFMIS137, EFMIS149 and EFMIS175, sold at Walmart and Amazon.com [4]. The agency linked these models to the same short-circuit hazard. Curtis International received at least 26 reports of units smoking, sparking or catching fire. Property damage totaled more than $700,000, and two people reported smoke inhalation. These models differ from the Target-exclusive EFMIS121 units covered above.

Which Target Mini Fridges Are Affected?

This recall covers one Target-exclusive fridge model, and Curtis International identifies affected units by a limited range of serial numbers:

• Model EFMIS121, a red, six-can Frigidaire-brand fridge sold under the Curtis International brand and imported from Canada for the U.S. market
• Serial numbers between A2001 and A2310, printed on a label on the back of the unit, used to confirm the unit is covered by this recall
• “Frigidaire” branding printed on the front of the unit, distinguishing it from other Curtis International fridges not covered by this recall
• Sold only at Target stores and Target.com, January 2020 through October 2023, for about $30 per unit before the recall was announced

This EFMIS121 expansion is separate from an earlier, July 2025 recall. That recall covered EFMIS129, EFMIS137, EFMIS149, EFMIS175 fridges, sold at Walmart and Amazon in different colors and sizes.

Why Were the Target Mini Fridges Recalled?

Target Mini Fridges were recalled because internal electrical parts inside the EFMIS121 model can short circuit. A short circuit can ignite the plastic housing around it, posing a fire and burn hazard. CPSC classifies the short-circuit defect in the EFMIS121 itself as the hazard, separate from any fire or burn injury it could cause. The refund remedy at recallrtr.com/minifridge addresses the defective units rather than a specific injury claim. This defect is also why CPSC’s January 2026 notice classifies the recall as an expansion rather than a new campaign. Curtis International also recalled other, differently sized Frigidaire-brand fridges in July 2025 under a separate campaign number for the same short-circuit defect.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

The January 2026 CPSC notice describes six fire reports involving the EFMIS121 fridge, each with property damage, but it states no specific number of burn or smoke-inhalation injuries for this model. A separate, earlier recall of similar Frigidaire-brand models reported two smoke-inhalation injuries. It also reported at least 26 fire-related incidents, with property damage at more than $700,000. Those figures cover different models, and readers should not add them to the EFMIS121 totals described above for this recall specifically. Neither the EFMIS121 nor the earlier-recall reports above are confirmed by an independent investigation or a court. A report alone does not establish what caused a specific fire.

What Should Consumers Do?

Consumers who still own or recently owned a recalled Target Mini Fridge should carefully take the following steps right away:

1. Stop using the recalled EFMIS121 fridge immediately, since its internal electrical parts can short circuit and ignite the surrounding housing.
2. Unplug the unit, cut the power cord, and write “Recall” on the front door using a permanent marker, as Curtis International instructs.
3. Register for a refund at www.recallrtr.com/minifridge, or call Curtis International at 888-727-0198 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET), or email recall@curtiscs.com.
4. Dispose of the fridge according to local and state regulations once the refund process through recallrtr.com/minifridge is complete, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Report a fire, burn, or property-damage incident involving this fridge to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, in addition to notifying Curtis International directly.

Legal Options

A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. Separately, an insurer sued Electrolux Consumer Products, Inc. after a fire that involved a comparable Frigidaire-brand fridge. Curtis International Ltd. also faces a proposed class action. That class action accuses Curtis International of not fixing the short-circuit defect in its earlier, different-model recall. Neither suit covers the Target-exclusive EFMIS121 units described on this page. Anyone with a fire, burn, smoke-inhalation injury, or documented property loss tied to a Frigidaire-brand fridge can read more about the broader Frigidaire mini fridge lawsuit.

Filing Deadlines

Deadlines for filing a legal claim in a case like this one come from state law, not from the recall itself. These deadlines vary with where a person lives and when the fire, injury, or property loss and its discovery happened. Some states start the clock at discovery rather than the incident itself. A missed filing deadline can end an otherwise strong claim, so anyone weighing legal action here should talk to a lawyer soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Target Mini Fridge Recall?

The Target Mini Fridge recall covers a red, six-can EFMIS121 fridge. ShangYu North Electron Manufacture Co. Ltd. of China makes the unit, and Curtis International Ltd. of Canada imports it for sale at Target.

Is There a TTY Line for the Target Mini Fridge Recall?

Yes, consumers who are deaf or hard of hearing can reach CPSC’s TTY line at 800-638-8270 about a Target Mini Fridge recall issue. Curtis International’s own recall line, 888-727-0198, and www.recallrtr.com/minifridge remain the fastest ways to register for a refund.

Is There a Target Mini Fridge Recall Lawsuit?

Not specifically over the Target-exclusive EFMIS121 expansion, but a related Target Mini Fridge recall lawsuit involves Curtis International and Electrolux. Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. is overseeing the proposed class action against Curtis International, and no multidistrict litigation has formed.

What Evidence Should I Keep If I Was Affected by This Recall?

The evidence worth keeping if you were affected by this recall includes your receipt and photos of the model and serial number label. Any fire, insurance, or property-damage report you filed can also support a refund or legal review.

Which Judges Are Overseeing the Related Lawsuits?

The judges overseeing the related lawsuits are Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. and Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel. Gilliam has the Nacarino class action in California, and Brasel has the Westfield insurance lawsuit in Minnesota. Neither case has reached a ruling on the merits yet.

How Do I Report a Problem with My Target Mini Fridge to Regulators?

You can report a problem with your Target Mini Fridge to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov. You can also call the agency’s consumer hotline at 800-638-2772. Reporting a problem is separate from registering for a refund through Curtis International.

References

1. https://www.courtlistener.com/?q=%22Westfield+Insurance%22+%22Electrolux%22&type=r
2. https://www.courtlistener.com/?q=%22Curtis+International%22+Nacarino&type=r
3. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Curtis-International-Expands-Recall-of-Frigidaire-brand-Minifridges-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards
4. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Curtis-International-Recalls-Frigidaire-brand-Minifridges-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-More-Than-700-000-Reported-in-Property-Damage