Whirlpool’s woes deepen as it recalls 5,000 more machines

WHIRLPOOL is to recall a further 5,000 washing machines after finding problems in three more of its models.

The US manufacturer has already issued an alert over more than half a million appliances that are at risk of catching fire.

It said yesterday that it had located more than 165,000 of the machines on its recall list since launching a campaign to track them down earlier in the month. Around 354,000 are unaccounted for.

The recall started when customers reported fires caused by flaws in a door-locking system. The problems affect products from Whirlpool brands Hotpoint and Indesit sold in the UK between October 2014 and February 2018.

Whirlpool vice-president Jeff Noel said: ‘We are hugely grateful to everyone who has already come forward and we urge all remaining owners to please get in touch as soon as possible. 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.’

The company has offered to replace or repair all the affected washing machines, but Which? said it has been contacted by many customers who fear waiting months.

The consumer group said Whirlpool should ‘do the right thing’ and offer a refund so families can quickly find a replacement appliance.

Whirlpool said that models WMAQC641PUK, WMAQG 41PUK and WMFG 41GUK were being added to the recall list and it would contact all known owners.