Maytag recalls dishwashers

Maytag Corp. is recalling 2.3 million Maytag and Jenn-Air brand dishwashers because of faulty wiring, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday.

The recalled appliances are blamed for causing 135 fires and four injuries.

Affected dishwashers were sold at department and appliance stores from July 1997 to June 2001. Their prices ranged from $370 to $800. The dishwashers were manufactured in the United States.

The machines should immediately be disconnected from electrical power by shutting off a circuit breaker or disconnecting a fuse, the commission said.

Maytag will provide free in-home repair or a $75 reimbursement on the purchase of a new Maytag, Jenn-Air, Whirlpool or KitchenAid dishwasher.

The company said liquid rinse aid could leak from the appliances’ dispenser into wiring and short-circuit and ignite.

Consumers should call Maytag at (800) 675-0535 or visit the company’s website at repair.maytag.com or the commission’s website at cpsc.gov.