Whirlpool (Indesit) washing machine Fire Risk danger revealed as recall launched

[UK Sentinel]

Whirlpool (Indesit)washing machine danger revealed as recall launched

Again Whirlpool are in the news for this time faulty washing machines being at risk of fire.

Guide is to turn the power off and contact your Whirlpool representative or if you continue to use, use at 20 degrees wash (not advisable) but given the time it will take to replace/fix these machines, owners are left with little alternative.

Half a million washing machines in UK homes are to be recalled, plunging manufacturer Whirlpool into a fresh saga over dangerous appliances.

The machines, branded as Hotpoint or Indesit, were sold for more than five years, but their door locking system can overheat creating the risk of fire.

Owners face the prospect of doing without hot washes for months until products are fixed or replaced.

Whirlpool was already reeling after problems with fire-prone dryers.

It was heavily criticised for its initial response when more than five million tumble dryers, sold over 11 years, were found to be a fire danger. It only launched a full recall for that issue after four years, following an intervention by the regulator. This time it has gone straight to a recall.

What is the new problem?
About 20% of the Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines sold since 2014 are affected by the fault. Up to 519,000 washing machines sold in the UK are involved.

Seventy-nine fires are thought to have been caused by the fault which develops over time, according to Whirlpool, which owns the brands.

“When the heating element in the washing machine is activated, in very rare cases a component in the door lock system can overheat, which, depending on product features, can pose a risk of fire,” Whirlpool said.

The extra current that runs through the machine when the heating element is on can cause the door locking system to overheat.

The company said the issue had been identified by its safety team, but had led to fires, although none had been significant enough to cause more than minor damage or cause any serious injuries.

What should I do if I think I own one?
Whirlpool has set up a model checker online, although this itself appears to have crashed. Owners of Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines bought since October 2014 will need to enter the model and serial number of their appliance – found inside the door or on the back – to see if it is one of those affected.

“We apologise to our customers for the technical issues they may be experiencing with our website. The issue is due to a third party system provider. We understand that it is not related to traffic to the website,” Whirlpool said.

“The system provider is working to fix the issue as quickly as possible and the website should be back up shortly.”

There is also a free helpline, open every day, available on 0800 316 1442, but this too was initially telling callers it was “unobtainable”.

Contact via Website – https://washingmachinerecall.whirlpool.co.uk/

If owners eventually access these channels and find their machine is affected, to eliminate any risk, the appliance should be unplugged and not used until it is repaired in their home by a trained engineer, Whirlpool said. As an alternative, those affected will also be offered a replacement with a safe model.

Owners can check and register for a repair or replacement now. Vulnerable customers will be prioritised, but for others it may be organised on a first come, first served basis.

Effected Machines it has been reported are said to have a faulty door release mechanism/wiring loom which causes burning/smouldering over time.

Effected Washing Machines

• FML 742P UK Hotpoint
  WMAOD 743G UK Hotpoint
  WMAOD 743P UK Hotpoint
  WMAQB 721P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMAQC 641P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMAQC 741G UK Hotpoint
  WMAQC 741P UK Hotpoint
  WMAQC 741P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMAQF 621G UK Hotpoint
  WMAQF 621P UK Hotpoint
  WMAQF 641 P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMAQF 721G UK Hotpoint
  WMAQF 721P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMAQL 621G UK Hotpoint
  WMBF 742G UK Hotpoint
  WMBF 742K UK Hotpoint
  WMBF 742P UK Hotpoint
  WMBF 742P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMBF 763P UK Hotpoint
  WMEF 722 BC UK Hotpoint
  WMEF 742 P UK Hotpoint
  WMEUF 722P UK Hotpoint
  WMEUF 743G UK Hotpoint
  WMEUF 743P UK Hotpoint
  WMFG 741P UK Hotpoint
  WMFG 741P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMFUG 742 P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMFUG 742G UK Hotpoint
  WMFUG 742P UK Hotpoint
  WMFUG 842P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMJLF 842P UK Hotpoint
  WMJLL 742P UK Hotpoint
  WMSAQG 621P UK Hotpoint
  WMXTF 742G UK Hotpoint
  WMXTF 742K UK Hotpoint
  WMXTF 742P UK Hotpoint
  WMXTF 742P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMXTF 842P UK.M Hotpoint
  WMYL 7151PS UK Hotpoint
  XWA 81252X K UK Indesit
  XWA 81252X W UK Indesit
  XWD 71452X K UK Indesit

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[UK Sentinel]

New model numbers added to washing machine recall:

The urgent notice affects Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines.
These are:

 

WMAQC641PUK

WMAQG741PUK

WMFG741GUK

 

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[Grisu]

Thats why I stick on Miele or similarly more expensive brands.

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[UK Sentinel]

UPDATE – 29TH APRIL 2020

As part of ongoing in-depth checks carried out by Whirlpool’s safety team, they are adding 21 additional models to the recall. The model numbers are:

• WMAQB 641P UK
• WMAQB 721P UK
• WMAQB 741G UK
• WMAQB 741P UK
• WMAQF 621P UK.L
• WMAQF 641G UK
• WMAQF 641P UK
• WMAQF 721P UK
• WMAQG 641G UK
• WMAQG 641P UK
• WMAQG 721P UK
• WMAQG 721P UK.M
• WMAQG 741P UK.M
• WMAQL 621P UK
• WMAQL 641P UK
• WMAQL 721A UK
• WMAQL 721P UK
• WMAQL 721P UK.M
• WMAQL 741G UK
• WMAQL 741P UK
• WMSAQG 621G UK

Whirlpool  are asking all owners of these additional models to check if their appliance is affected, even if they have previously done so.

https://washingmachinerecall.whirlpool.co.uk/

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