Maytag dishwasher recall: What to do if yours is on the list

The Maytag dishwasher recall, announced Thursday by Whirlpool Corp., involves some 1.7 million dishwashers that can overheat and cause fires.

Customers who own the affected models, sold under the Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley brands, should stop using them immediately and either unplug them or shut off the circuit breaker controlling them, the Consumer Protection Safety Commission said in a statement.

All the dishwashers have plastic tubs and were sold nationwide at department, appliance, and home improvement stores, including Sears, Best Buy, Lowe's Home Improvement, Home Depot, hhgregg, and other certified Maytag dealers. They were sold from February 2006 through April 2010 for between $250 and $900.

Here's how to find if your dishwasher is on the list:

The models were sold with black, bisque, white, silver, or stainless steel front panels. Look for the dishwashers’ brand name printed on the front panel.

If it's one of the brands mentioned above, find the serial number, which is located inside the plastic tub on a tag near the left side of the door opening.

Models affected by the recall will have serial numbers starting with one of these sequences: NW39, NW40, NW41, NW42, NW43, NW44, NW45, NW46, NW47, NW48, NW49, NW50, NW51, NW52, NY01, NY02, NY03, NY04, NY05, NY06, NY07, NY08, NY09, NY10, NY11, NY12, NY13, NY14, NY15, NY16, NY17, NY18, NY19.

Or they will have serial numbers ending with one of these sequences: JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, JN, JP, JR, JT, JV, JX, LA, LC, LE, LG, LJ, LL, LN, LP, LR, LT, LV, LX, NA, NC, NE, NG, NJ, NL, NN, NP, NR.

If your dishwasher's serial number has either of these sequences, you should contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513 anytime or visit the company’s website at www.repair.maytag.com.

The company is offering two options: you can either schedule a free in-home repair, or get a $150 or $250 rebate after purchasing certain new Maytag dishwashers with stainless steel front panels.

The rebate is $150 if you buy new dishwasher models MDB7759, MDB7609 or MDBH979. It is $250 if you purchase models MDB8959, MDB8859, MDB7809 or MDB7709. Customers do not need to bring the original purchase receipt to be eligible for the rebate.

Consumers should not take the recalled models back to the retailer where they were purchased.

Maytag received a dozen reports of heating element failures in the recalled dishwashers that resulted in fires and property damage.

Since announcing the recall Thursday, Whirlpool has been inundated by calls about the recalled dishwashers, said Pamela Jenkins, a Whirlpool customer service representative.

“Some people said they hadn’t had any problems," said Ms. Jenkins. "Some people called and said that they did smell a ‘funny smell’ [coming from the dishwasher] but didn’t think anything of it until the recall."

No injuries resulting from the overheating dishwashers have been reported. To report an injury or incident involving a Maytag dishwasher, visit https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.