Domestic appliance manufacturer Whirlpool has confirmed that over half a million Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines are being recalled over a potential fire.
As many as 519,000 of the machines sold in the UK between October 2014 and February 2018 may be affected by a serious fault with the door-locking system that could cause them to overheat and catch fire.
Owners who bought a Hotpoint or Indesit appliance during that window of time are being urged to contact Whirlpool to find out if they are affected –
The manufacturer has advised that machines purchased during that period should only be used on a low-temperature wash.
Hundreds of people have reported that Whirpools website and help number has crashed owing to the overwhelming amount of traffic from concerned owners.
Matt Smith tweeted to say:
“I’ve already had a dryer affected by a recall, and now my washing machine might be affected too, only I can’t find out because the link doesn’t work.
“I doubt I’m the only one who won’t be buying any of your machines again…”
The product recall comes just months after Whirlpool recalled a similar number of tumble dryers because of another fire risk, which allowed fluff from clothes to reach heating elements.
Months later it emerged that thousands of affected appliances were still in people’s homes, and the US-listed firm has been criticised for the speed at which it modifies or replaces faulty machines.
Whirlpool had earlier revealed that, in recent years, it had logged 54 fires in its tumble dryers and admitted that three of those were models which had already been modified.
Anyone concerned that their machine is one of those subject to the recall should visit Whirlpools website:
https://washingmachinerecall.whirlpool.co.uk/
or should call Whirlpool on 0800 316 1442. However, ESN has been able to access the link owing to the number of people trying to visit the website.
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