SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20110908-DA6FF-2147475526. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Matched catalog product: GE The model # is -JGBS60DEK6WW.. Source model text: Sensor Microwave Oven. Incident: I purchased a GE "Sensor Microwave Oven" on 4/10/2011 to replace my 7 yr. old microwave (which still worked but not the carrousel). My husband was died of cancer so the microwave was only used for occasionally reheating foods or veggies and melting chocolate/butter, etc. Last evening I suddenly heard beeping & checked - my microwave was beeping & the digital readout said "keypad was shorted out". (Note: I had not used the micro for 2-1/2 days - IT WAS SITTING IDLE!) I opened the door and the insides were SCALDING HOT and smelled HOT too (a fire hazard in the making - thank goodness I was @ home!)! I tried working the keypad but nothing worked so I unplugged it. After leaving it cool down I plugged it in again & it told me to "set the clock", I did and it seemed ok (I was still hesitant). Within 2 minutes, while I was standing there, it SUDDENLY STARTED on it's own! Again, none of the keypad buttons worked so I unplugged it and it is STILL UNPLUGGED! I will not use this appliance again. I sent an electronic email to GE on their www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/contact/form_concern.htm last evening. I received an auto-reply: "Thank you for contacting us through www.geappliances.com. We have received your eMail on 9/7/2011 at 09:50:00 PM EST. We regret to inform you that we are currently experiencing longer than usual response times. A Consumer Specialist will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. Sincerely, The Consumer e-Response Team GE Appliances" (they gave m