Our Refrigerator Door Fell Off The Hinge

by Bud Corwin
(Apache Junction, Az)

Question: We live in our 2003 Fleetwood Excursion. It has a Norcold Model # 1200LRIM. We have had to take our rig with this refrigerator in to repair shops twice on recalls. Last week, my wife opened the door and it fell to the floor. What's with this? Come to find out, the door is all plastic and the hinge area just fell apart. A new door is over $600., not including tax or installation. Has anyone else had this problem with their fridg doors? It is not from any abuse. We do not slam the doors shut and I do not drive down bad roads. We only have 31700 miles on our rig, so I doubt it is from neglect. Any replys would be appreciated.

Robbie: Sorry to hear about your door, but over the years I've seen it on most all models regardless of the brand. There are a few reasons this could happen, and yes, one of the reasons is due to the use of the plastic hinges. It can also be caused by the obvious of over-loading the doors with heavy items and then driving also really puts a load on the hinges. If the hinges become loose without you knowing it, they can break under a load. Either way new doors are expensive. You might want to contact some RV appliance repair centers and see if you can find a used door.

Good Luck,Robbie

Comments for
Our Refrigerator Door Fell Off The Hinge

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Jun 03, 2011

Thank You Robbie
by: Bud Corwin

Hey Robbie,

Thank you for your comeback on my fridge door. Although I think I have a remedy, I haven't fixed it yet. I am going to try and weld a piece onto the bottom corner of the door. I think this will solve my problem. Will let you know.

I also had a problem with my large slide not going in. I read a responce from someone, can't remember where I caught it though. Anyway, they said they had the same problem. They found that by cutting the wire connector at the motor and wire-nutting it togeather, it solved their problem. I did this and my slide works fine now. Thanks to whoever sent this information. I'm in your gratitude.

Jun 16, 2011

Fridge Door
by: Glenda

We own a 2009 Fleetwood Mallard travel trailer and as we were getting it ready for the season the fridge door fell off in my hands as well. The hinges are also plastic and broke on both the top and bottom.

Any advice or tips on how to repair this?

Jun 17, 2011

Fixed It
by: Bud Corwin

Hey Glenda,
Sorry to hear about your fridge door. I don't know why these companies make these so darn cheap.You would think for what you have to pay for an RV, they would take a little pride in their workmanship. I finally fixed mine last week. I took the door off and plastic welded a new piece of plastic on the bottom where it had broken. So far, so good. I think I made the patch heavy enough to hold up. Won't know till we get back on the road. Hope this will help you with yours.
Bud

Aug 12, 2011

class suit is needed
by: phyllis

we have a Gulfstream class A RV with a side by side Norcold Refrigerator 1200 series. The right door fell off almost removing my husband's big toe.
We have since learned of the cheap plastic hinge screwed in with 2 screws about 1/4 inch long that Norcold expected to hold this door on while weighing 25 pounds. Who in their right mind designed this ridiculous system? It cost us $1000.00 to replace the door and it almost cost us a big toe. No telling how long it will take for the toe to heal after having it sewn back on and scattering the bones.

I would like to find anyone who is involved in a class action suit regarding this same problem OR get a group together and file one ourselves.
Does anyone know of anyone involved in a law suit with Norcold over their door falling off?

Aug 13, 2011

Re: Class Action
by: Bud Corwin

Hi Phillis,
Just read about your disastrious experience with your Norcold 1200 refer. Mine was the right side door also. I thought I had it fixed, but it didn't hold and fell off again. I think it might be a good idea if we, the ones whose doors have fallen off, contacted Norcold about this. If we don't get a positive settlement from them, than we might think about a class action against them. What are your thoughts on this? Please feel free to contact me at the following:

bud85296@yahoo.com

Anyone else that has had this problem may also contact me at the above address.

Sincerly,

Bud Corwin

Aug 28, 2011

Norcold Junk
by: Bill

My door hinge broke as well, cutting my arm as I tried to catch it. Norcold has a very defective design here!! They know it, but are selling new doors, that will break as well. The lower hinge supports all the weight, and is not rigid enough to do the job. I fabricated a base plate from stainless steel, and put it on the bottom of the door. Will not be further trouble, but someone is going to get hurt by Norcold's neglect!! Good Luck, Bill

Oct 12, 2011

Norcold door falls off
by: Cris

I am another statistic. Last night when I opened the refrigerator door on the right side, it Fell Off! I went on the Internet to search for a solution to fixing the plastic hinge and found
your forum.

I wasn't hurt, but my dog almost lost a leg. He is always laying on the floor close to where I am working.

I agree with the other victims that something needs to be done. It is a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. If Norcold insists on selling $5,000 + refrigerators with inferior plastic hinges, they should inform the public to periodically check the hinges. But they won't do that because then they are admitting that they build refrigerators with defective parts.

Please let me know if there is any thing I can do about this Norcold situation.

Oct 13, 2011

Norcold Fridge Doors
by: Bud Corwin

I keep reading about all the door problems with Norcold and I have to ask, how can they keep makeing the same mistake over and over? Although it's not the hinge that is braking, it is the plastic door itself. It just is not heavy enough guage plastic to hold the weight that is put on them, which in my case, was not much at all. If any of you wish to contact me to persue this issue further, please email me and maybe we can get something started. Hope you all have many safe miles of RVing, and let's keep in touch.
Bud85296@yahoo.com

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