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Sears Kenmore dishwashers

CPSC Recall #93-042 — February 14, 1993

Recall Summary

Recall Number93-042
Recall DateFebruary 14, 1993
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedMore than 300,000

Product

Sears Kenmore dishwashers

Description

PRODUCT: Sears Kenmore dishwashers sold after February 1990. PROBLEM: The dishwasher's timer may catch fire. There have been 30 reports of timer failures due to shorting out and overheating. Four units have developed fires resulting in smoke damage to the surrounding countertops and cabinets. WHAT TO DO: The recalling entity is no longer in business. The recall remedy is not available. WASHINGTON,DC -- CPSC, Sears Merchandise Group is voluntarily contacting customers regarding 21 Kenmore dishwasher models sold in the last three years that could experience a timer failure that may result in a fire hazard. Sears is providing free service to correct the problem. Currently, 30 units of about 400,000 units sold have experienced timer failures due to shorting out and overheating. To date, four units have developed fires which resulted in smoke damage to the surrounding countertop and cabinets. Sears has no reports of injuries due to the fires or timer failures. On February 6, Sears began sending letters to more than 300,000 customers who purchased one of the affected Kenmore dishwasher models made between February 1990 and October 1992. Sears is asking customers who have not yet received letters to check the model of their dishwasher against the list below. Owners of listed models should discontinue using the dishwasher immediately and turn the power off or unlatch the dishwasher's door Model and serial numbers are on the inside right door seal of the dishwasher's tub. The problem stems from the possibility of units developing an internal leak that may cause the dishwasher's timer mechanism to short out and overheat. Under certain circumstances, an overheated timer can cause a fire. To correct the problem, a Sears service technician will install new parts and inspect and replace other components as needed in the dishwasher door. Service will be done at no cost to the customer. Consumers who bought Kenmore dishwashers after February 1990 should check the model and serial numbers of their dishwasher against the list below. The following models are affected: MODELS START SERIAL #   ENDING SERIAL # 587.1400090   ALL   587.1400190   ALL   587.1400890   ALL   587.1400990   ALL   587.1440090   ALL   587.1440590   ALL   587.1469089   ALL   587.1469589   ALL   587.1510590   ALL   587.1511590 14912690492 THRU 15753461092 587.1530590   ALL   587.1540590   ALL   587.1541590 14056531191 THRU 15764571092 587.1550590   ALL   587.1551590 14056581191 THRU 15752861092 587.1574590 13637650991 THRU 15692691092 587.1630590   ALL   587.1640590   ALL   587.1641590 14203401291 THRU 15843721092 587.1650590   ALL   587.1651590 14186181191 THRU 15556951092 CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

Hazard

The dishwasher's timer may catch fire. There have been 30 reports of timer failures due to shorting out and overheating. Four units have developed fires resulting in smoke damage to the surrounding countertops and cabinets.

Incidents & Injuries

Currently, 30 units of about 400,000 units sold have experienced timer failures due to shorting out and overheating. To date, four units have developed fires which resulted in smoke damage to the surrounding countertop and cabinets. Sears has no reports of injuries due to the fires or timer failures.

Remedy Instructions

Firm no longer in business. Recall remedy no longer available. Discard the product. Do not donate or resell.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Dispose, No Remedy Available) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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