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?Some, 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.
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
What can you do?
Whirlpool has set up a model checker online. 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.
There is also a free helpline, open every day, available on 0800 316 1442.
If affected, to eliminate any risk, the appliance should be unplugged and not used until it 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.
mrew42
Link appears to be working now as @ 13:55 Weds 18/12/19
(via BBC News)
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?Some, 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.
Affected Models
Thanks to @memawheeze for this.
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
What can you do?
Whirlpool has set up a model checker online. 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.
There is also a free helpline, open every day, available on 0800 316 1442.
If affected, to eliminate any risk, the appliance should be unplugged and not used until it 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.