On May 16, 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of about 2.5 million General Electric (GE) dishwashers after electrical shorts caused by overheating resulted in 12 reports of dishwasher fires. Liquid rinse-aids in the dishwashers leaked from their dispensers onto the internal wiring, causing overheating and more than 50 reports of property damage.

The recalled dishwashers, sold by brand-names Eterna, GE, GE Profile, GE Monogram, Hotpoint and Sears-Kenmore, are white, black, almond, bisque and stainless steel. To identify the brand name, consumers can look on the dishwashers’ front control panel.

The recalled products were sold at department and appliance stores for about $400 from September 1997 through December 2001.

Consumers should look for serial numbers that begin with SS, TS, VS, ZS, AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT, AV, DV, FV, GV, HV, LV, MV, RV, SV, TV, VV, ZV, AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ, LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ, VZ, ZZ, AA, DA, FA, GA, HA, LA, MA, RA, SA, TA, VA, or ZA.

Serial numbers are found inside the dishwasher tub on the front left side of the dishwasher. Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and contact GE for a free repair.

For more information, consumers can contact GE toll-free at 877-607-6395 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or can visit their website.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Release #07-190.” May 16, 2007.