Whirlpool announced in December that ‘more than half a million’ machines need to be recalled ‘because of the risk of them catching fire’, after having already recalled thousands of dryers. Approximately 519,000 affected machines make up ‘about 20% of the total number sold’, with certain Hotpoint and Indesit models sold between 2014 and 2018 affected. A spokesperson said that ‘when the heating element’ is activated, ‘in very rare cases a component in the door lock system can overheat, which, depending on product features, can pose a risk of fire’.
Earlier this month, consumer group Which? stated that the company should ‘do the right thing’ for UK consumers who have been caught up in the latest fire related product recall. Now, BBC News has reported that owners of Hotpoint and Indesit units ‘may have to check again to see whether their model’ is on the recall list, as an extra three models have been added – meaning potentially 5,000 more units are being added to the recall.
Whirlpool stated that adding new units to the list ‘was common in the recall process’, and that it has identified 165,000 units so far, while 70,000 have already either been replaced or repaired, while calls or contact have been made by 2m customers. The fault is said to develop ‘over time’ in the units, and around 79 fires ‘are thought to have been caused’ so far.
BBC News pointed out that customers who have already checked ‘and been given the all clear’ for their units ‘may need to check again’, Whirlpool stating that it ‘could contact 60% of those with the newly affected models’, though customers should check. Jeff Noel, vice president of Whirlpool, commented: ‘With more than 30% of the affected products now accounted for, this campaign has already surpassed the UK average for a product recall campaign by a significant margin.
‘While this is good progress, we know there is still work to do. That’s why we are working seven days a week to look after our customers and running a widespread campaign to raise awareness. We are deeply sorry to our customers for the inconvenience this recall may cause but we are taking action because it is the right thing to do for people’s safety. We will do whatever it takes to put the situation right.’
Whirlpool had admitted in July 2019 ‘there could be as many as’ 800,000 fire risk dryers in UK homes, after being ordered last June to recall up to half a million ‘four years’ after concerns were first raised. Since 2004, over 750 domestic fires ‘are thought to have been started’ by affected dryers under the Hotpoint, Creda, Indesit, ProLine and Swan brands, with ‘fluff in contact with the heating element’ or lint building up around the rear drum seal, falling onto the heater.
Whirlpool has replaced or repaired around 3.8m dryers after identifying the fault in November 2015, but did not issue a recall, notifying customers that ‘they could continue to use their dryer while waiting for modification’. This was provided dryers were ‘not left unattended’, but advice changed in February 2017 when it told consumers to ‘unplug and stop using the machines’, though even ‘upgraded’ versions have caught fire, ‘prompting the new demand for a formal recall’.
In May 2018, BBC Watchdog Live ‘uncovered cases’ where dryers caught fire ‘after being fixed’, Whirlpool having faced criticism for failing to recall up to 1m dryers, and its appliances caused ‘three times more’ London fires than any other manufacturer, according to London Fire Brigade. In 2017 a Welsh coroner said the company’s ‘reluctance to digest inquest lessons’ was an ‘obstacle to preventing further deaths’, after two men died in a flat fire in Llanrwst, North Wales in 2014.
The government’s business, energy and industrial strategy select committee was scathing of the revelation that 1m faulty dryers are still being used in the UK, and told the government Whirlpool ‘should be made to’ recall fire risk tumble dryers. It had been angered by the decision to close a replacement scheme, and in February 2019 Which? called for ‘clarity’ after 30 people reported fixed dryers had caught fire, produced smoke or a burning smell.
The Office for Product Safety Standards began an investigation in May 2018 into the ‘effectiveness’ of Whirlpool’s approach and ‘handling’ of the modification programme, but when its report was released in April last year, Which? criticised it as ‘fundamentally flawed’, stating that it ‘appears to favour Whirlpool’s interest over people’s safety’. Most recently, it had recalled 65,000 units.