FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 1999
Release # 00-006 |
GE Recall Line: (800) 599-2929
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
GE Contact: Kim Freeman, (502) 452-7819 |
CPSC, GE Announce Recall of Dishwashers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), General Electric (GE) Appliances, of Louisville, Ky., is voluntarily recalling about 3.1 million GE and Hotpoint brand dishwashers, manufactured between April 1983 and January 1989. The dishwashers have a slide switch that allows consumers to choose between heat drying and energy saver functions. Over time, the slide switch can melt and ignite, presenting a fire hazard.
GE and CPSC have reports of 50 fires, seven of which spread beyond the dishwashers. In three cases, the structure of the house or apartment was damaged. No injuries have been reported.
The GE and Hotpoint dishwashers that are being recalled are model GSD500D, GSD500G, GSD540, HDA467, HDA477 or HDA487 with a serial number that has a second letter of A, M, R, S, T, V or Z (for example, BM12345). The model and serial numbers are located on a rectangular label that is on either the right or left front edge of the inner tub. The GE or Hotpoint brand name is on the front of the dishwasher.
Consumers should stop using the recalled dishwashers immediately. Keep the dishwasher door unlatched to prevent the flow of electric current from the latch to the slide switch. GE is offering consumers a rebate toward the purchase of a new dishwasher. Contact GE at (800) 599-2929 anytime or www.geappliancerecall.com for information on how to participate in the rebate program.
Conumers can also view a video clip about this recall (Transcript). It is about 10 megabytes long and the download time depends upon the speed of your Internet connection.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion 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 30 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 @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.