This unit has numerous complaints about this unit on the internet. Apparently many other people have had the same problem - the coffee maker just stops working. We received the maker as a gift for our wedding - less than three years ago. According to Cuisinart, the serial number refers to a unit that is out of warranty. When I asked about other customers returning units, the rep stated that they have had many returned for that same problem.
We were expecting at least an exchange since there is a known problem with the unit, but instead the rep stated that they would do nothing. When asked if they cared that they were loosing a Cuisinart customer, they seemed as if they could care less. I will buy from their competitors from now on.