Product Recall Number: 01-054
Why was GE and Hotpoint dishwashers recalled?
The dishwashers have a slide switch that can melt and ignite, presenting a fire hazard.
Product Recall Number: 01-054
Product Safety Warning Number:
Date: 2000-12-13
Product Safety Warning Date:
Name Of Product: GE and Hotpoint dishwashers
Description: WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), General Electric Appliances Co., of Louisville, Ky., is voluntarily offering a free repair option in the form of a rewiring for its recalled GE and Hotpoint dishwashers. With the free rewire option, a GE-authorized technician will rewire the slide switch at no cost to consumers. This supplements the original rebate program announced October 19, 1999. The dishwashers have a slide switch that can melt and ignite, presenting a fire hazard. CPSC is aware of approximately 90 incidents associated with these dishwashers. GE manufactured 3.1 million of these dishwashers between 1983 and 1989.In the recall announced last year, GE provided consumers with a rebate toward the purchase of a new dishwasher. CPSC and GE are announcing the supplemental rewiring option to increase the effectiveness of the original program, which has to date been implemented in over 628,000 units. CPSC and GE are cooperating in an effort to reach people who may not have previously come forward.Both the CPSC and GE strongly urge consumers who have not replaced their recalled units under the original rebate program to contact GE right away to schedule a free rewiring or participate in the original rebate program. Until the dishwasher has been rewired, consumers should keep the dishwasher door unlatched at all times to prevent the flow of electrical current that creates a risk of fire.The slide switch allows consumers to choose between heated drying and "energy saver" functions. Over time, the slide switch can melt and ignite, presenting a fire hazard. In the free rewiring program announced today, GE-authorized technicians will rewire the slide switch, eliminating it from the electrical circuit and thereby eliminating the fire risk.There have been approximately 90 incidents of fire, smoking and melted switches, 14 of which included fires that spread beyond the dishwasher. Approximately 10 incidents have occurred since the recall announcement. No injuries have been reported.The GE and Hotpoint dishwashers involved are models beginning with GSD500D, GSD500G, GSD540, HDA467, HDA477, or HDA487 with a serial number that has a second letter of A, M, R, S, T, V or Z (for example, BM12345). The model and serial numbers are located on a rectangular label that is on either the right or left front edge of the inner tub. The GE or Hotpoint brand name is on the front of the dishwasher.Consumers that have one of these recalled dishwashers should immediately discontinue use, unlatch the door, and contact GE at 1-800-599-2929 anytime or at www.geappliancerecall.com.
Hazard Description: The dishwashers have a slide switch that can melt and ignite, presenting a fire hazard.
Consumer Action: None Listed
Original Product Safety Warning Announcement: None Listed
Remedy Type: Repair
Units: GE manufactured 3.1 million of these dishwashers between 1983 and 1989.
Incidents: There have been approximately 90 incidents of fire, smoking and melted switches, 14 of which included fires that spread beyond the dishwasher. Approximately 10 incidents have occurred since the recall announcement. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy: With the free rewire option, a GE-authorized technician will rewire the slide switch at no cost to consumers. This supplements the original rebate program announced October 19, 1999.
Sold At: None Listed
Importers: None Listed
Manufacturers: None Listed
Distributors: None Listed
Manufactured In: None Listed
Custom Label: None Listed
Custom Field: None Listed