Maytag Recalls Dishwashers After Several Catch on Fire

2.3 Million Dishwashers made by Maytag were recalled Thursday after reports of the appliances catching on fire. Today the company customer service has been swamped with calls from concerned consumers.

The problem is thought to be with the wiring of the dishwashers and has been blamed for causing 135 fires which also injured 4 people. When liquid rinse-aid leaked through the washer it caused wire shortage and could ignite flames. Of the four injured victims, 3 were treated for smoke inhalation and the other had burns on his hand. Luckily there have not been any deaths as a result of this dangerous situation.

Maytag voluntarily recalled dishwashers made between July of 1997 and June of 2001. Cost of each dishwasher ranged from $300-800. Units include under the counter installed machines as well as portable ones in colors of black, white, almond and stainless steel fronts panels.

Those who called the company today were told to unplug their machines and stop using them immediately until someone could come out to repair them. It is considered very dangerous to continue to use these dishwashers. Not only should you avoid operating these recalled dishwashers but it's best to switch off the power directly connected to the machine if you have an under the counter one installed.

While the call center has been busy non-stop since this recall, the good news is that consumers are getting the word and hopefully there won't be any more fires or injuries as a result. The situation is expected to be under control as more customer service and repair specialist are brought it at this time of need.

The CPSC which stands for Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking people who own one of the affected dishwashers to call 1-800-675-0535 for assistance as to what to do next. If you continue to have trouble getting through to a live person you can check the recall status of your dishwasher at www.repair.maytag.com. Consumers can either get a free repair of their machine or a $75 credit towards the purchase of a new washer. Because of the volume of repairs necessary the public should be aware that it may take some time to get the problem resolved. You can also check out the CPSC website for a list of recently recalled products including these dishwashers (pictures and model numbers available) at www.cpsc.gov. Recalls are one important reason to register every item possible that you purchase so that you are informed right away if there is a problem.

Maytag was recently bought out by Whirlpool last year but has been one of the largest sellers of Appliances in the U.S.