Maytag Recalls 2.3 Million Dishwashers



Friday February 2, 5:58 AM EST


NEWTON, Iowa (AP) - Maytag is voluntarily recalling 2.3 million Maytag and
Jenn-Air brand dishwashers because of faulty wiring, the company and the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement released
Thursday.

The recalled appliances are blamed for causing 135 fires and four injuries.

Affected dishwashers were sold at department and appliances stores between
July 1997 and June 2001 and sold at prices between $370 and $800. The
dishwashers were manufactured in the United States.

The machines should immediately be disconnected from electrical power by
shutting off a circuit breaker or disconnecting a fuse, the CPSC said.

Maytag will provide free in-home repair or a $75 cash back reimbursement on
the purchase of a new Maytag, Jenn-Air, Whirlpool or KitchenAid dishwasher.



The company said liquid rinse-aid can leak from the appliances' dispenser
into internal wiring and short-circuit and ignite.

Maytag has received 135 reports of dishwasher fires, resulting in product
and/or property damage. Four injuries have been reported, including three
reports of smoke inhalation and one serious hand laceration as the consumer
was operating a fire extinguisher to put out a dishwasher fire.

The recall involves under-counter or portable plastic tub dishwashers with
black, white, almond, bisque or stainless steel front panels.

Maytag, once the nation's third largest appliance maker, was bought by
Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool Corp. on March 31, 2006, in a deal
valued at $2.6 billion.

---

Consumers should contact Maytag at 1-800-675-0535 to determine if their
dishwasher is included in the recall or visit the company's Web site at .
Maytag customer service is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
EST.http://www.repair.maytag.com

The CPSC has a Web site with photographs and lists of model and serial
numbers for models included in the recall at .http://www.cpsc.gov