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The CPSC in conjunction with the Maytag Corporation announced today a voluntary recall of about 1.7 million Maytag dishwashers. According to the Commission, an electrical failure in the dishwasher?s heating element can pose a serious fire hazard. Consumers are asked to stop using the recalled dishwashers immediately, unless otherwise instructed.

According to the CPSC, the Maytag Corporation has received 12 reports of dishwasher heating element failures that resulted in fires and dishwasher damage, including one report of extensive kitchen damage from a fire. No injuries have been reported.

The recall includes Maytag®, Amana®, Jenn-Air®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand dishwashers with plastic tubs and certain serial numbers. The affected dishwashers were manufactured with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels.

The brand name is printed on the front of the dishwasher. The model and serial numbers are printed on a label located inside the plastic tub on a tag near the left side of the door opening. Serial numbers will start or end with one of the following sequences:

SERIAL number 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, NY19

OR SERIAL number 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, NR

The dishwashers were manufactured in the United States and sold at department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from February 2006 through April 2010, for between $250 and $900.

The CPSC asks consumers to immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and disconnect the power supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it. Consumers can contact Maytag to verify if their dishwasher is included in the recall. If the dishwasher is included in the recall, consumers can either schedule a free in-home repair, or receive a rebate following the purchase of certain new Maytag brand stainless-steel tub dishwashers.

The rebate is $150 if the consumer purchases new dishwasher models MDB7759, MDB7609 or MDBH979; or $250 if the consumer purchases new dishwasher models MDB8959, MDB8859, MDB7809 or MDB7709. Consumers should not return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where purchased as retailers are not prepared to take the units back.

For additional information, contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513 anytime, or visit the firm?s website at www.repair.maytag.com.

Related Resources:

• Full text of CPSC announcement (CPSC)
• Whirlpool recalls 1.7 million dishwashers (Reuters)
• Consumer Product Recalls (FindLaw)
• Defective and Dangerous Products - FAQ  (FindLaw)
• Recall News (provided by Bernard & Hart)