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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has banned several models of dishwashers manufactured by Electrolux and Westinghouse in NSW, Australia after reports that they caught fire due to manufacturing fault.

The Product Safety Section of the ACCC has overall policy responsibility for monitoring the conduct and outcomes of consumer goods safety recalls in Australia.

Electrolux, a Swedish manufacturer of home appliances who earlier recalled three dishwashers voluntarily, had issued an advisory asking people not to use affected dishwashers and contact the company immediately.

Following is a list of models affected:

• Electrolux
  - EX401ISB
  - ESL6163
  - DX303SK
  - DX303SWK
• Westinghouse
  - SB908WK
  - SB908SK
  - SB916WK
  - SB916SK
  - SB926WK
  - SB926SK

The fault lies in a wire connector inside the dishwashers that can overheat and pose a fire risk. In NSW alone, 73 incidents have been reported involving heat or fire damage to property.

Approximately 27,000 affected dishwashers of brands Electrolux, Electrolux Dishlex and Westinghouse have been sold in Australia and New Zealand since April 2007. Their serial numbers ranging from 70700000 to 72400000. It is estimated that across Australia and New Zealand, at least 8000 dishwashers haven’t been located by the recalls and inspected.

According to Electrolux regulatory affairs manager, Ian Forte:

Most of the incidents reported recently are related to dishwashers that were serviced prior to 18 March. He said a green sticker on a product means it was checked after the third recall. We’ll have to investigate the circumstances of that to find out why. Obviously something went wrong in this instance.

We are contacting all retailers in Australia, advising them of the NSW ban and the seriousness of the issue.