So I decided after 10 years of having this Whirlpool GMC305PD combo Microwave/Oven built in unit that I would use auto clean instead of just cleaning it out by hand like I had been doing. Big mistake! It was cleaning and heating up to High Hell temps for 3 hours and of course it stinks horribly like they do when using that function but when it got done and cooled down I opened the door and wiped the ash residue off. Then I shut the door. Later I went to open the door and it would not open. Finally had to stick a butter knife in the hole to move the locking latch to one side so could get it open. Every time you shut the door it would lock. Woke up the next day and the whole control panel was off and not working at all. No clock, no nothing. Had a repairman come out and he checked it out and said that sometimes using the auto clean will kill an oven. He told me that he tells people he would not use the auto clean ever. I did a search on my model # and the whole page was full of complaints about the door lock problem. In our oven right in front of the door latch a piece of metal was melted and the door latch mechanism was melted also. The control panel circuit board was no good. I was talking to a guy at Lowes in the appliance section and he said he tells people to put a pan of water in the oven and steam the oven clean and it helps loosen up stuck on gunk. He also said the Auto Clean feature is not so good to use. The total to fix it is almost $500. but we looked at new ones and they are over $2000. to replace it so we are just going to get the thing fixed and NEVER USE THE AUTO CLEAN FEATURE AGAIN IN ANY TYPE OF OVEN! BUYER BEWARE!

Very frustrating.... Are you going to contact the manufacturer? The fetching Mrs. Mikey has used our auto cleaner a few times and thus far no problems.....except for a hot house afterwards....

I called them but there has never been a recall on my model #. She said what happened to mine has happened before but not enough to do a recall. She also stated it is up to the consumer whether they choose to use the Auto Clean feature as it can cause problems especially after being several years old. They know this and aren't required to let the public know. I will get mine fixed and never use the auto clean again in any oven. To me it's just not worth the risk of possibly burning your house down. I think I will steer away from Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag and any other brands made by them in the future. I guess if you want quality you have to go w/ the elite brands. I've heard Wolf is good but it's up there in price. Next time I buy I will check out Consumer Reports reviews.

I have a self cleaner also, an it's only been used once in 9 years.

For anyone (like me) with birds, you have to be really careful!! For instance, Coco lives in our dining area. We had to put him in the farthest bedroom and close the door. It has to do with the fumes the oven puts off at such high temps.

If you know anyone with a birdie, you may want to pass that on.

I know what you mean about the smell and being strong enough to kill. I had all our windows open and the kitchen fan running and it stunk so bad I kept nudging my cat sleeping beside me on the couch to see if she was still conscious I will pass this info on to my bird friends