The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that more than 1.3 million General Electric dishwashers have been recalled. Manufactured in Louisville, Kentucky, the GE Adora, Eterna, Profile, and Hotpoint models – and possibly others – have been recalled because of a defect in the heating element that could possibly lead to fires. At least 7 reports of fire have been received by the CPSC, with 3 of those cases resulting in property damage. In total, 15 reports of the defective heating element have been received by the CPSC.
According to the Washington Post, Inez Tenenbaum, chairwoman of the CPSC, discussed this latest product recall in a speech at the National Press Club today.
“My message to consumers is to immediately stop using these recalled dishwashers and disconnect the power supply to the unit,” Tenenbaum said.
Available at major home retail stores, including Lowe’s and Home Depot, the various GE dishwasher brands (model numbers include: GLC4, GLD4, GLD5, GLD6, GSD61, GSD62, GSD63, GSD66, GSD67, GSD69, GLDL, PDW7, PDWF7, EDW4, EDW5, EDW6, GHD4, GHD5, GHD6, GHDA4, GHDA6) were sold between 2006 and 2009, and they retailed for as much as $850. In a release from the CPSC, GE is urging consumers to not return the units to stores, but instead contact the company at (866) 918-8760 between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm ET, Monday through Friday.
Additionally, GE strongly recommends that owners of the affected models cut power to the units by shutting off the circuit breaker or fuse that the dishwashers are connected to. In lieu of removing them, GE will arrange for in-home repairs at no cost to the consumer, or provide a rebate of $75 towards the purchase of a new GE front-control plastic tub dishwasher, or a rebate of $100 towards the purchase of a new GE front-control stainless tub dishwasher or GE Profile top control dishwasher, according to the CPSC.
This dishwasher recalls marks the first such announcement for GE this year. In 2011, the company announced three recalls, including the Monogram Gas Pro Rangetops (delayed ignition and explosions), Zoneline Air Conditioner/Heat Unit (risk of fire), and Dehumidifiers (short circuit/fire hazard). Additionally, Wal-Mart announced the recall of approximately 255,000 GE Food Processors in 2011 after the nationwide retail chain received 58 reports of fire hazards and hand lacerations. In 2012, Wal-Mart also recalled 900,000 GE Coffee Makers due to overheating issues that led to burns and fires, according to at least 83 reported incidents.
For additional information about this latest GE recall,
visit GE’s recall website at geappliances.com/recall
washingtonpost.com/business/ge-recalls-13-million-dishwashers-because-of-fire-hazard/2012/08/09/f9642d10-e22b-11e1-89f7-76e23a982d06_story.html
cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12244.html