1.3M GE dishwashers recalled over fire hazard

GE Dishwasher/GE Profile Dishwasher / CBS/Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON  - More than a million GE dishwashers are being recalled due to fire hazard.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday the voluntary recall includes about 1.3 million GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile and Hotpoint dishwashers. The machines' heating elements can fail and cause fires. GE has received seven reports of fires, three of which caused extensive property damage, according to the CPSC. No injuries have been reported. 

The dishwashers were sold nationwide from March 2006 through August 2009 for $350 to $850. They came in black, white, bisque, stainless steel and CleanSteel colors and finishes.

The government said people should stop using the dishwashers and immediately disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker. The government said not to return recalled dishwashers to stores where they were purchased but that GE will provide free repairs or rebates toward new dishwashers.

In a speech Thursday at the National Press Club, CPSC chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum urged people to respond right away.

"My message to consumers is to immediately stop using these recalled dishwashers and disconnect the power supply to the unit," Tenenbaum said.

Tenenbaum credited a new consumer safety law with making people safer. The 2008 law and its implementation have "created one of the strongest product safety systems in the world."

For more information on the dishwasher recall, people can contact GE at [phone] or visit GE's website. 

The list of model and serial numbers in the recall can be viewed here. According to GE, consumers can find their model and serial numbers by looking "at the inside on the front left side of the dishwasher tub."

[LAConn]

Up date from last log in- my serial number was NOT even on their recall list so I reported to the 800 number on Joeldor's comment. FYI.my model number on the ge profile was PDW8880J00SS, check yours out too.

[LAConn]

Good thing I keep every receipt! Just found mine for my GE Profile dishwasher that did catch on fire back in March 2012. I had gone to bed but the horrible smoke and fumes woke me up thank god! The front digital panal was all lite up and flashing with smoke coming out of the door. I could not touch the panal as it was very hot so I flipped off the breaker in the panal. Luckly it was that unusally warm week and I could open windows, the fumes smelled toxic and lasted in the house for a week! The washer was only put in back 4/2005. I did not want another ge so I bought a bosch, which I love so far. I decided to check for recalls since a patient of mine said he had the samething happen to his sister. Good thing I understand dental mumble as I work on my patients, that small talk was very informative to me!

[studedude3458]

Not nonsense. I have a dishwasher on the recall list. It was bought with the help of a rebate I received when the previous GE dishwasher was on a recall list. Not a bad deal for GE they give you $75 and you buy a $500 dishwasher.

[BrendanSpaar]

This is scary! I usually do my dishes when I'm away from home or sleeping. I'm just used to a noisy dishwasher. Recently I bought a low noise GE model (not recalled) and still wash dishes when I'm not around. They even have a delay timer so you can run it 1-4 hours in the future! After reading this article I will baby-sit the dishwasher from now on! - Brendan Spaar

[BrendanSpaar]

This is scary! I usually do my dishes when I'm away from home or sleeping. I'm just used to a noisy dishwasher. Recently I bought a low noise GE model (not recalled) and still wash dishes when I'm not around. They even have a delay timer so you can run it 1-4 hours in the future! After reading this article I will baby-sit the dishwasher from now on!

[jcheckler]

I think people and the government is tripping. To have 7 dishwashers out of more than 1.3 million fail, (even if they all have the same heater problem), is pretty damn good. We have had one of these GE Profile dishwashers for six years and use it once or twice a week. It hasn't failed yet or overheated. I guess I'll replace it if they make the offer sweet enough. Those 7 people should sue GE if they haven't already.

[Jhihmoac]

I don't have a GE, but I have a no heat option I use just to save energy...Good thing!

[Joeldor]

Please report any dishwasher fires to the US government @ 800-638-2772 and help keep other people safe. I had a fire in my Kenmore this summer and luckily I found it before my house went up in smoke. Never run a dishwasher when you are not home or awake.

[joe1022joe]

I'd like to know what company actually makes these diswashers.

[formerlyluvnut]

GE.

[wjss75606]

Silly people, this was always part of the jobs Czar, Immelt's plan at GE. Design a faulty product, sell it, then people have to buy another one because of defects in the first. Repeat over and over. Then the union workers have job security. Well except those whose jobs he shipped overseas to China. But hey we have to borrow money from them so they have to make it somewhere. See all the plans are working just right.