Maytag Recalls 1.7 Million Dishwashers After Reports of Fires, Damage

On June 3, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Maytag Corp. announced a safety recall of approximately 1.7 million dishwashers, after receiving 12 reports of the dishwasher heating elements catching on fire and causing damage to the dishwasher or kitchen.

According to the CPSC, Maytag is issuing the recall for its Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa, and Crosley brand dishwashers with plastic tubs that were available in black, bisque, white, silver, or stainless steel front panels. Consumers should immediately stop using dishwashers with the following serial numbers:

• Starting with NW39, NW40, NW41, NW42, NW43, NW44, NW45, NW46, NW47, NW48, NW49, NW50, NW51, NW52, NY01, NY02, NY03, NY04, NY05, NY06, NY07, NY08, NY09, NY10, NY11, NY12, NY13, NY14, NY15, NY16, NY17, NY18, or NY19
• Or ending with JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, JN, JP, JR, JT, JV, JX, LA, LC, LE, LG, LJ, LL, LN, LP, LR, LT, LV, LX, NA, NC, NE, NG, NJ, NL, NN, NP, or NR

The defective dishwashers were sold in department and appliance stores nationwide and by homebuilders from February 2006 through April 2010 for between $250 and $900.

The CPSC advises consumers to disconnect the power supply, either the fuse or the circuit breaker, to avoid electrical problems with the recalled dishwashers. Maytag is offering a choice of a free in-home repair to fix the problem or a $150-$250 rebate toward the purchase of a replacement dishwasher. The company can be reached online at www.repair.maytag.com or by phone at 800-544-5513.