GE Appliances Recalls Top-Loading Clothes Washers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/GE-Appliances-Recalls-Top-Loading-Clothes-Washers/

Recall Summary

Name of Product: GE Profile™ top-loading clothes washers

Hazard: An electrical component in the washers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy: Repair

Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the recalled washers and contact GE Appliances for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: GE Appliances toll-free at 877-830-9732 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.geappliances.com and click "Recall Information" at the bottom of the page for more information.

Recall Details

Units: About 222,000 (in addition, about 450 were sold in Canada)

Description: The recall involves three models of GE Profile high-efficiency top-loading clothes washers. The washers come in gold, gray and white and measure about four cubic feet. "GE Profile" is printed on the front of the washers. The model number is located on the rear cover of the washer's backsplash, above the water valve connections. Recalled washers have the following model and serial number ranges:

Incidents/Injuries: GE Appliances has received 71 reports of internal washer components burning or catching fire, including three reports of fires resulting in about $129,000 in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Sold at:  Best Buy, Lowe's, Sears, The Home Depot and other stores nationwide from June 2003 through October 2011 for between $900 and $1,400.

Manufacturer: GE Appliances, of Louisville, Ky.

Importer:  GEA Products, L.P., of Louisville, Ky.

Manufactured in: South Korea

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2016/60194r-eng.php

About U.S. CPSC:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Media Contact
Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
Phone: 301-504-7908
Spanish: 301-504-7800

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Related Links

http://www.cpsc.gov